Leaning into the foam-based slip-on trend that dominated the early 2020s, the adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR (sometimes written Yeezy RNR or Yeezy Runner) quickly ascended into a fashion icon after its initial release in 2020.
Designed by Dingyun Zhang, Steven Smith, and Ye, the adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR is an ultra-comfortable and environmentally friendly footwear choice. The one-piece silhouette is made up of a combination of algae and EVA foam, a proprietary blend that’s made the Foam RNNR one of the most comfortable pieces of footwear on the market.
The futuristic, aerodynamic design was initially scoffed at as a Crocs knockoff and was discussed negatively across the internet. As with plenty of other adidas Yeezy designs, once consumers saw the clog in hand and placed them on feet, their opinions quickly shifted.
Many also sought out the model for the astronomical resale price of the first few releases. The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR Ararat released exclusively through Yeezy Supply in June 2020 and sold out in minutes. Afterward, the secondary market price hit nearly $1,000 in certain sizes. Ye and adidas expanded their offerings with time and produced enough pairs to drive down the secondary market.
The design of the Foam RNNR has remained consistent through the years, with only slight alterations to the colorblocking. There are, in essence, two types of colorways. The standard pairs come in a monochromatic color scheme, while the “MX” variants feature a more colorful marbled pattern. Many Foam RNNRs are produced in factories located in Los Angeles, Wyoming, and Atlanta. Some have even claimed that the Made in USA and Made in China pairs differ slightly in terms of their fit and comfort. Some say the American-produced pairs are softer and fit less light.
Although the partnership between Yeezy and adidas is finished, there were plans to produce a Foam RNNR V2. Early prototype samples emerged online and showcased an updated version of the model that looks more like the Merrell Hydromoc, especially its perforations. Currently, it’s unknown if we will see any more pairs released from the remaining Yeezy inventory adidas is offloading.
With an extensive selection of colorways made available on the Foam RNNR, here are the top 10 best adidas Yeezy Foam RNNRs of all time ranked.
10. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Stone Sage” (March 2022/April 2022)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "Stone Sage" encapsulates Yeezy’s distinct earth-tone color palette and features a faint MX swirl pattern. Across the upper is a light grey hue with a brownish-tan swirl of colorways spiraling throughout. When the sneaker was first released, it launched along the “Mist” colorway, a solid tan iteration of the Foam RNNR.
9. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Carbon” (August 2022)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Carbon" was exclusively available through Yeezy Supply in the US. Select countries did see the pair release via the adidas Confirmed app. The “MX Carbon” base layer comes in black with a swirled marble pattern containing tan, lavender pink, and an electrifying yellow. As you might’ve guessed, this MX variant was produced in China.
8. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Sand Grey” (December 2021)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "MX Sand Grey" was first teased by Ye’s son Saint West before its release. This edition of the Foam RNNR showcases a base layer consisting of a tan hue mixed with blueish-grey, brown, and pink shades. Like other MX variants of the Foam RNNR, this pair was produced in China.
7. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Cinder” (May 2023)
As part of adidas releasing the remaining Yeezy inventory, the adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR MX Cinder is one of the last Foam RNNR releases to hit the market. This mixed-color variant contains a black base with brown, tan, grey, and blue marbled across the model. Early pairs popped up before the adidas Yeezy split, indicating we were originally set to receive the sneaker before 2022 ended.
6. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Mineral Blue” (May 2021)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "Mineral Blue” was the closest to a blacked-out version of the silhouette until the “Onyx” pair came along. A deep navy blue covers the entire sneaker with a faint MX pattern featuring a lighter blue. This pair was produced in China and launched alongside a restock of the "Sand” colorway.
5. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Cream Clay” (August 2021)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MX Cream Clay” was released in August 2021 on Yeezy Day. This pair showcases an impressive blend of neutral tones that swirl together to create a marbled effect. The creamy white base contrasts beautifully with tan, brown, and cream hits. Each pair features a unique combination of these shades. As with other MX Foam RNNRs, this pair was produced in China.
4. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Onyx” (Feb 2022/June 2022)
First released at Ye’s Donda 2 Miami listening event in February 2022, the adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR Onyx is an all-black version of the foam slip-on. The sleek, stealthy black colorway gives the design an easy-to-wear look and won’t get dirty as easily as lighter colorways. Although it appears to be monochromatic at first glance, a closer look reveals a faint MX pattern around the upper. This pair was produced in China.
3. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “MXT Moon Grey” (March 2021)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "MXT Moon Grey" features a marbled look containing grey and white shades. This artistic blend of colors gives the impression of a lunar landscape. This pair launched alongside the “Sand” colorway and began the trend of two colorways dropping on the same day, one standard and the other an “MX” pair. The Foam RNNR MXT Moon Grey was produced in China.
2. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Ararat” (June 2020)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "Ararat” is the original Foam RNNR colorway. Named after Mount Ararat in Turkey, the colorway features a monochromatic off-white finish. Because it was the first, there are slight variations compared to other colorways. The perforations are slightly wider on the toebox, and the algae and EVA foam mixture is different. Although we know the pair was produced in the USA, it is rumored that this pair was specifically manufactured on Ye’s property in Wyoming and utilized algae from the lakes in the area. The pair restocked on Yeezy Day 2022, two years after the initial launch. Before this restock, the “Sand” Foam RNNR was a solid alternative due to the colorway’s nearly identical cream hue.
1. adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Vermillion” (October 2021)
The adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR "Vermilion" is a vibrant standout in the Yeezy line. The shoe features a striking all-red colorway, echoing the iconic "Red October" theme from the Nike Air Yeezy 2. Its bold and fiery tone helps it steal the spotlight whenever it's worn. Interestingly, it is one of the few non-MX versions of the adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR produced in China. This was also the first all-red colorway from adidas Yeezy.
In this article
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
