adidas Yeezy 500 history and background.
Traveling back to 2017, Yeezy had shaken up the entire sneaker industry with the Yeezy 350 (both V1 and V2) and at that point only had a handful of models to its name. After introducing the now-infamous Yeezy 700 Waverunner via a pre-order on Yeezy Supply in November of 2017, Ye was ready to introduce the world to another brand new silhouette, the adidas Yeezy 500.
The first images of the Yeezy 500 were shared by Ibn Jasper in 2016, featuring a white and grey colorway paired with a non-Boost midsole and a gum rubber outsole. At first glance, the adiPRENE+ midsole will look familiar as it borrows from Kobe Bryant’s third signature model with adidas, the KB8 III (now known as the Crazy 3). This early prototype features almost the same exact design in terms of the paneling as the first pair to hit the public, the adidas Yeezy 500 Super Moon Yellow, though some of the suede and nubuck overlays did get a slight redesign. Speaking of the first release, that took place in December of 2017 in which you’d have to purchase a $760 clothing bundle of Yeezy Season 6 items in order to buy a pair of what was then dubbed the Yeezy Desert Rat 500.
Its popularity may not have reached the same heights as the Foam RNNRs, 350s, or 700s, but the model has seen quite a few colorways in the usual earth tones the brand is famous for. After a handful of releases spread out over 2 years, Ye introduced the world to the 500 High in December of 2019, a scaled-up version of the silhouette that swaps out the usual mesh underlay for neoprene. Most famously, the adidas Yeezy 500 High in the “Mist Stone” colorway was spotted on Ye himself in June of 2021 when a photo emerged of him at his dentist, one of the only times we have seen Ye wear a pair of the kicks.
If you’ve been eyeing a pair of adidas Yeezy 500s or 500 Highs for yourself, you’re in luck as the Sole Retriever adidas Yeezy 500 Buyers Guide should answer all the questions you have about the Yeezy 500.
What are the best adidas Yeezy 500 and 500 High colorways?
With only around 10 colorways released, and many of which fall under the realm of tan, your options aren’t for color aren’t as widely available as say the Yeezy 350, though there are a few that standout from the rest. For some pop of color, you could go with the lavender-shaded Yeezy 500 Soft Vision, a stark departure from Yeezy brands typical color palette or the Yeezy 500 Enflame, a mixture of browns, blues, tans, and a bright orange midsole that stands out for its unique color blocking. However, if you’re looking to stay neutral, a pair of the Yeezy 500 Bone White or Yeezy 500 Utility Black will go with almost any outfit as they come in all-white and all-black respectively. Earth tones are in at Yeezy, seen most prominently on pairs like the Yeezy 500 Taupe Light, Yeezy 500 Blush, or Yeezy 500 Clay Brown.
For the 500 High, many of the colorways actually deviate from the typical color palette with the Yeezy 500 High Sumac, and Yeezy 500 High Tactile Orange getting a mixture of blues, browns, reds, and oranges across each pair. Like the low-top variety, you can stick to simple tones with releases like the OG colorway, the Yeezy 500 High Slate or even the aforementioned 500 High Mist Stone which comes in a grey, white, and black combo perfect for any occasion.
What material is the adidas Yeezy 500 made of?
For the majority of Yeezy 500s, the silhouette takes a much more retro approach to its materials when compared to other models like the Foam RNNR or 450, coming dressed in a combination of suede, nubuck, and mesh on the upper while the sole unit utilizes 90s tech in its adiPRENE+ cushioning system. One colorway does switch things up and that is the Yeezy 500 Stone. Replacing the mesh with neoprene, this particular colorway will feel a bit warmer on foot after continuous wear while also having a more plush, cushioned feel.
Yeezy 500 Highs, for the most part, borrow the construction of the Yeezy 500 Stone with its neoprene base layer paired to suede and nubuck overlays. The same adiPRENE+ sole unit remains as does the non-marking rubber outsole while the previously mentioned 500 High Sumac and Tactile Orange go back to the OG construction of the silhouette with mesh as its base.
How does the adidas Yeezy 500 and 500 High fit?
Even with the slight switch up of materials between certain releases, the adidas Yeezy 500 and 500 High both run TTS. When compared to the 350 and especially the Yeezy Slide, its wider build and use of typical materials allows you to not have to go crazy finding the perfect size. The best option, however, would be to try on a pair in your typical size before purchasing a pair to make sure you are getting the correct size, though once again, it typically runs TTS.
The same can be said for the 500 High, but getting the sneaker on-foot can be a big of a challenge due to its narrow collar portion and the use of infinity lacing on many of the colorways. Once on foot though, you’ll be comfortable with going TTS.
How much do Yeezy 500s cost?
Like all things in life, the Yeezy 500 has seen a price increase since its initial release. Originally retailing for $200, the low-top variant will now run you an extra $10, meaning a pair nowadays costs $210. Releases of the model aren’t as common as others in the Yeezy lineup and often can be found with ease on release day, even restocking randomly from various retailers. If you’re looking to nab a pair of 500s or any other sneaker that may restock randomly throughout the day, download the Sole Retriever mobile app and upgrade to the Pro membership as we offer personalized restock alerts from various retailers around the globe.
The Yeezy 500 High saw its last release in October of 2021 when it retailed for $220, though the upcoming adidas Yeezy 500 High Taupe Black will join the inflation party when it releases on September 19th for $230.
Where do I buy Yeezy 500s?
To buy pairs of the Yeezy 500 online directly from the company behind the product, you can always check out adidas Confirmed, Yeezy Supply, and adidas.com/Yeezy around the time a release is scheduled. If you do happen to live near an adidas Originals Store or just a regular adidas retail location, check on the standard adidas app a day or two prior to a release to see if the location near you is hosting a raffle.
Like many “GR” Yeezy releases, retailers like JD Sports, Finish Line, and Footlocker should get pairs of the Yeezy 500, as do boutiques like A Ma Maniere, SNS, and END Clothing. Most of the time these boutiques will host raffles while footsites will often do both a raffle and a FCFS release on the morning of the drop. This is all dependent on the colorway and how many pairs are produced, so to stay on top of upcoming release of the Yeezy 500 and more, download the Sole Retriever Mobile App and keep it locked to our Twitter
What’s the hot take?
The adidas Yeezy 500 may not be the most popular Yeezy silhouette or contain any Boost cushioning, though it is still a solid option for style and comfort in spite of this. For those looking for more retro style footwear while still having some hype behind the silhouette, definitely keep your eye out for upcoming releases in the near future. To stay updated on upcoming releases, raffles, and more in regards to the Yeezy 500 and the sneaker world as a whole, keep it locked to our Twitter and download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
