Kanye West isn’t afraid to challenge popular opinion. Whether speaking his mind on political matters or singing with autotune, the charged creative has made a career off going against the grain and making the masses question the role of an artist in pop culture.
In 2020, Kanye was set on challenging the way the world saw things, even if it started with footwear. Released without warning, the Yeezy Foam Runner changed the conversation around coveted footwear, debuting a must-have shoe that was miles away from a traditional sneaker silhouette.
Made in America in the image of a Croc Clog, the $75 model was devoid of leather, laces and branding, instead relying on algae-assisted EVA construction. Before most could decide whether they loved or despised the introductory “Ararat” installment, all pairs instantly sold out.
In the time since, the Yeezy Foam Runner has altered opinions and pushed the boundaries of footwear, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after models on the market. Set to arrive soon in a familiar “Vermillion” makeup, the counterculture kicks from Kanye have pivoted from polarizing to prominent. What launches made this happen and how’d we get here? Find out by exploring and shopping the best Yeezy Foam Runner releases—available now on GOAT.
The first installment of the Yeezy Foam Runner series is considered the best so far by many. Initially spotted on the feet of Kanye’s daughter, North, and inspired by the Armenian ancestry of his then-wife, Kim Kardashian, the “Ararat” Yeezy Foam Runner was both a head-turner and a game-changer.
Challenging the definition of what a sneaker is, the foam-injected oddity straddles the line of sandal and clog all while sporting design language derived from Kanye’s Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 series. The neutral monochromatic colorway put the Foam Runner’s shape and composition on full display, introducing the world to a silhouette devoid of genre.
The month of September is a transitional time in New York City, as the Mecca of American sneaker culture prepares for fall climate while hosting Fashion Week for the following year’s spring and summer collections. Straddling seasons by way of breezy design and autumnal tone, the Yeezy Foam Runner “Ochre” executes a bold beige on the hard-to-define model. Wearing well in all snow-less atmospheres, this is a colorway that’s both mature and malleable.
Early on, the Yeezy Foam Runner relied on tonal takes to emphasize the model’s sculptural properties. A singular shade allowed the aggressive stance and ovular ventilation to appear in its purest form. Arriving in August 2021, the Yeezy Foam Runner “MX Cream Clay” changed all that by implementing swirling shades of grey, cream and brown in a marbled manner. In doing so, it rearranges the aesthetic of the already progressive shoe, adding depth to the one-piece design.
After debuting in very limited numbers and increasingly high demand in 2020, the Yeezy Foam Runner continued to flourish in 2021 through new tones and greater allocations. Keeping the same energy as the “Ararat” arrival, the Yeezy Foam Runner “Sand” sees the debut drop altered to a slightly darker shade. Very close to the coveted introductory colorway, this “Sand” style was less difficult to acquire but just as easy on the eyes.
When it comes to mining for inspiration, Kanye West and the Adidas Yeezy line have leaned heavily into natural resources. This proves true for pairs drenched in earthy hues to marbled makeups that mirror rock formations.
At first glance, the Yeezy Foam Runner “Mineral Blue” may come across as an outlier more inline with nautical menswear or team sports. Look closer and you’ll find a slight sheen and tone variance seen in Sodalite and other natural formations.
Kanye West can be grounded in his inspirations while also being otherworldly with his aspirations. From farming algae to speaking of spaceships, Kanye’s creativity defies medium. The Yeezy Foam Runner “MXT Moon Grey” goes to great lengths by scoring the sculpted silo in blotchy, nocturnal tones. Rather than rely on the earth’s natural elements, Kanye instead gravitates towards the color of the moon for this well-received drop that’s far from a sleeper.
In Kanye West’s ever-growing catalog of footwear hits, the color red is largely associated with the sneaker that played a major part in his move to Adidas—the Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October,” which was released unceremoniously after Kanye left the Swoosh due to disagreements regarding royalties.
After years of absence as a statement Kanye tone, the laceless Yeezy Foam Runner “Vermillion” brings red back into the fold in all-over fashion. This scarlet style is a clash of eras, offering a chase-worthy sequel to the shoe so many wish they had.
Shop all of these Adidas Yeezy Foam Runner styles and more now on GOAT.
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