How and where are Yeezys made? Or should we say: were? It’s only fitting, you know. What once was one of the greatest footwear brands in sneaker history might just be history, after all. It all began when Kanye West joined forces with Nike. Although short-lived, Air Yeezys’ era is one for the books.
Then, 2013 came, and the most amazing phenomenon occurred! Ye left the Swoosh for the German sneaker giant, Adidas. Let’s say we really had hope for this one. As in, we really thought that the Adidas x Yeezy collab would turn into a Nike x Air Jordan-like collab. Sadly enough, our dreams were cut short when Adidas terminated their partnership with our man, Yeezus.
But, how much do you actually know about the brand itself and the production process of Yeezys? Like, where are Yeezys made? HOW or what goes into their production? What’s the real story behind these out-of-this-world sneakers? Let’s find out!
Nike, Adidas, and Ye: Backstory
The once-striving Chicagoan rapper longed for a generational brand legacy and creative freedom – which Nike, according to him, failed to provide. The same thing happened with sneaker designer Sean Wotherspoon! You’d think they learned from the ‘Ye incident.
This just goes to show that Adidas knew there was a chance they HAD to grab instantly and offered him a 15% royalty on wholesale. If the almighty Michael Jordan receives 5% from Nike for the multi-billion dollar Jordan brand, Adidas must have seen West as a superpower worth hanging on to. This is the legacy of how Adidas Yeezy rose from Nike’s own burnt Air Yeezy ashes.
And so, Ye and Adidas kept on producing the best silhouettes and colorways, some of which are now staples in the sneaker industry. Adidas Yeezys even hit a new high during the pandemic. But they didn’t stay for long. Because the aftermath of COVID-19 not only affected the state of the resale market but Yes’ relationship with Adidas as well. In October 2022, the Three Stripes called it off with Ye.
Fast forward, Adidas decided to sell the remaining Yeezy stock to cut back on its losses. But what happens after that stock runs out, we still don’t know. As for now, considering that Yeezys are the talk of the town, let’s see where are Yeezys made.
Where Are Yeezys Made?
Where are Yeezys made? CHINA.
In brief, Yeezys were manufactured under Adidas in China. But at some point, our ambitious Ye had been aiming toward moving Yeezy production to the US by 2021. And he did start making his dream true. The first Yeezy to be made in the U.S.A. was the Foam Runner. However, not all Foam Runners were manufactured in the U.S. Some were still made in China.
For example, the same day the Foam Runner Sand debuted with a “Made in the US” tag, the MXT Moon Gray dropped with “Made in China” on the shoebox. This whole move is to remove the hype brand from the US/Chinese tariff war and supply chain complex. While, at the same time, promoting stateside jobs, faster production, and eco-friendly fashion. Nothing short of the US-based American dream.
But why China? Simply, for the low cost. From raw materials to labor, it all costs less in China. And so to maintain high quality at the lowest cost, sneaker brands like Adidas tend to head to the Chinese market for manufacturing,
Where are Yeezys made? YEEZY LAND.
Another more real answer to our question is in the head of the sneaker mastermind Steven Smith who joined creative forces with Kanye West to deliver the balance between top-notch quality and true identity. In addition to Jon Wexler, the General Manager of Adidas Yeezy, who relentlessly promotes the brand on his social media platforms. These three men joined forces to create the ultimate Yeezy land of sneakers!
What Goes Into Yeezy Production?
It wasn’t till the release of the Yeezy 750 that the Adidas TPU-foam realized its market potential as something more significant than mere running shoe material. And, when Kanye introduced the Yeezy 350, it was a literal sneaker breakthrough!
Yeezy 350s basically feature Primeknit and Boost technologies that interpret the monochromatic fashion vision of Kanye West. Not to mention the synthetic yarn fusion that holds the silhouette together.
However, silhouettes like the Wave Runner 700 and 700 MNVN raise the question flag. The Wave Runner comes down to a smart mash of suede and mesh and the on-foot minivan is primarily nylon! A huge design shift from the Yeezy hype! We kept on paying a minimum of $200 for the kicks, but nobody seemed to be judging.
The Yeezy 500, nonetheless, played the shift smart. Instead of totally shifting from the fan-adored Primeknit structure, it features mesh underlays and suede materials. Since Adidas only pays BASF, the German chemical company that rightfully owns Boost, for exclusive rights. Which raised questions about its long-term incorporation of Boost. The 500s features adiPrene foam, owned by Adidas, as a substitute.
The Yeezy Foam Runner is made primarily from algae-blended EVA (now retailing for $90). This is a step down the price ladder from $220 nylon wrappers, but still pricey for ocean feet. Kanye made his Foam Runner prototypes in Atlanta in a hydroponic farm plan.
Spotting Fakes!
Did you know that you can tell the difference between a legit and a fake Yeezy pair by checking the box sticker label and the size tag?
For example, the top left box contains a human figure closer to the top of a real pair. Whereas, a greater gap can be detected with a fake pair. The bar codes are also different. So, it is most recommended to scan the sticker before flexing the sneaker. Read here about the barcode scan test and the difference between legit and fake results.
Also, if the size tag includes the “Made in China” phrase along with the size, gender specifications, bar code, and serial code, then your Yeezys are legit. However, if you find extra unusual information, such as the shoe name, then you’re probably looking at a fake Yeezy.
Although Yeezys with a country of fabrication label reading other than China are a no-no (or U.S.A. on some Foam Runners), we can’t solely rely on where Yeezys are made with a multinational corporation like Adidas. Also, China’s got a long and hard history of counterfeiting. So, we’ve carefully put together this list of other details to live by when wearing your Yeezy detective hat.
And, if your excitement got the best of you, feel out the wrapping paper and shoe trees with your fingers. If they feel crunchy thick and appear crumpled, they’re most likely the real deal. Since fake wrapping paper is usually super thin and falls apart easily.
Where Are Yeezys Made? Who CARES?
The bottom line is, Kanye West considers his knack for experimentation as a “product guy” superpower. So, to answer the question of where are Yeezys made: it doesn’t matter much! Kanye West and his design team have established the Yeezy brand name in the market and aftermarket. Maybe that’ll help him lend himself a deal after leaving Adidas. Or maybe he’ll make it on his own somehow after the stock clears out, and each collaborator goes their own way.
And what matters really is your ability to cop these sneakers! No matter where Yeezys are made. They’re still one of the most coveted sneakers in the industry. And considering they’re on their second sale this year, time’s only ticking for your last chance to cop Yeezys,
And you know how the copping game goes, it ain’t easy. Sneaker botting is the only way you’ll ever get your hands on a Yeezy! But, thankfully, you can always rely on the best Yeezy bot on the market – AIO Bot.
The bot that happens to be the oldest-running sneaker bot in the game, the oldest Yeezy bot, and the all-in-one bot that does it all! Check out AIO Bot now, and make sure you keep it locked on our blog and Instagram @aiobot for the latest sneaker news and updates.