The 5 Best Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 Colorways Ranked by Design & Scarcity
Ranking the 5 best Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 releases requires evaluating Primeknit pattern innovation, StockX scarcity, and secondary market premiums. Following the historic December 2013 partnership agreement, the June 27, 2015 Turtle Dove launch reshaped modern lifestyle footwear. Below is the complete five-pair scorecard covering V1 and V2 classics from 2015 through 2019.
- Top-Ranked Grail: V1 Turtle Dove (June 27, 2015, $200 retail) scored 4.75/5 with a $1730 average resale price (700% increase).
- Top V2 Colorway: V2 Core Black Red (November 23, 2016, $220 retail) scored 4.25/5 with a $935 resale average (331.4% increase).
- Original V1 Stealth: V1 Pirate Black (August 22, 2015, $220 retail) scored 4/5 with a $901 resale average (325.5% increase).
- SPLY-350 Icons: Beluga ($200 retail, $704 resale) and Zebra ($220 retail, $332 resale) complete the top five roster.
How Did the 2013 Partnership Launch the Primeknit Era?
The creative alliance between Kanye West and the German sportswear giant began in December 2013. That partnership debuted the 350 silhouette on June 27, 2015. Combining a woven Primeknit upper with full-length cushioning changed expectations for lifestyle runners. Readers can trace the full timeline in our partnership history guide.
Two distinct generations define the low-top line: the 2015 V1 series and the 2016 V2 evolution. Original V1 editions feature a center forefoot seam, suede arch patches, and a heel pull tab. In contrast, V2 pairs add a translucent ribbed midsole and lateral SPLY-350 lettering.
To evaluate the five most influential drops, our composite scorecard weighs pattern design and StockX marketplace data. Collector commentary from specialist Vivian Frank also informs each overall score. Styling tips for both generations appear in our guide on how to wear Yeezys.
Why Does the 2015 Turtle Dove Rank First at $1730 Resale?
Released on June 27, 2015, for $200 retail, the V1 Turtle Dove ranks first with a 4.75/5 score. Its blue-grey and chalk-white woven upper established a pattern unique to the inaugural 2015 launch. Early buyers noted that the V1 fit ran tight, prompting collectors to order a full size larger.
Scarcity and aftermarket appreciation gave the Turtle Dove perfect 5/5 marks across price and rarity criteria. From its $200 retail tag, the pair reached an average resale price of $1730. That jump represents a 700% increase according to market records, with only 7 pairs sold in the sample.
As collector Vivian Frank observed, the Turtle Dove remains the cleanest 350 on foot, the most versatile with outfits, and the rarest original colorway to spot in rotation.
Combining a 4/5 design score with 5/5 ratings in price, scarcity, and expert opinion cemented its 4.75/5 finish.
How Do Core Black Red and Pirate Black Compare?
Claiming second place with a 4.25/5 rating, the V2 Core Black Red launched on November 23, 2016, for $220 retail. A bright red lateral stripe reading SPLY-350 slices across the black Primeknit upper. That contrast received a 5/5 design rating and a 4.5/5 score from Vivian Frank. With 130 pairs sold in the sample, its $935 average resale price reflects a 331.4% increase over $220 retail.
Right behind in third place at 4/5 overall sits the V1 Pirate Black. That colorway debuted on August 22, 2015, at $220 retail. Its stealthy black and grey weave received a 5/5 design score for effortless daily wearability.
Even after a 2016 reissue added thicker heel padding, the Pirate Black remained scarce with 57 pairs sold. Trading at a $901 average resale price, the pair posted a 325.5% increase above its $220 retail baseline.
| Rank & Colorway | Release Date & Retail | Average Resale & Gain | Sample Sold & Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 V1 Turtle Dove | June 27, 2015 ($200) | $1730 (700% gain) | 7 sold (4.75/5) |
| #2 V2 Core Black Red | November 23, 2016 ($220) | $935 (331.4% gain) | 130 sold (4.25/5) |
| #3 V1 Pirate Black | August 22, 2015 ($220) | $901 (325.5% gain) | 57 sold (4.00/5) |
| #4 V2 Beluga | November 25, 2017 ($200) | $704 (200.5% gain) | 199 sold (3.75/5) |
Why Did Beluga and Zebra Define the 2016 and 2017 V2 Era?
Fourth place belongs to the V2 Beluga (3.75/5 overall), which introduced Steel Grey and Solar Red striping in 2016. A follow-up Beluga release arrived on November 25, 2017. Priced at $200 retail in our benchmark table, the Beluga averaged $704 on the secondary market for a 200.5% increase. With 199 pairs sold in the sample, Vivian Frank awarded the orange-striped colorway a 4/5 rating.
Rounding out the top five at 2.75/5 overall is the V2 Zebra, which launched on February 25, 2017, for $220 retail. Swirling white and core black stripes received a 4/5 design score despite minor critiques regarding the yellowing heel sole.
Although initial February 2017 pairs were ultra-limited, subsequent re-releases expanded supply to 3541 pairs sold in the dataset. That wider availability brought the average resale price to $332, a 77% increase over the $220 retail price.
How Do Platform Fees and Tariffs Impact Secondary Trades?
Trading high-value knit runners between $332 and $1730 requires accounting for 8% to 9.5% platform commissions and import duties. On international shipments, the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule for footwear applies import duties averaging 10% to 12% on textile uppers. Domestic sellers also face verification fees that reduce net payouts on every completed trade.
According to the GOAT seller fee schedule, standard US sellers pay a 9.5% base commission plus $5 and a 2.9% cash-out fee. Meanwhile, the eBay authenticated sneaker fee policy deducts a flat 8% final value fee on pairs priced at $150 or more. Additional valuation metrics appear in our secondary market price guide for collectors comparing historical exchanges.
Comparing net payouts across both marketplaces helps sellers retain maximum value on rare 2015 and 2016 pairs. The table below outlines net seller payouts across all four price tiers.
| Colorway Edition | Benchmark Resale Ask | eBay Net Payout (8% Fee) | GOAT Net Payout (9.5% + $5 + 2.9%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| V1 Turtle Dove ($200 Retail) | $1730 | $1591.60 net payout | $1515.27 net payout |
| V2 Core Black Red ($220 Retail) | $935 | $860.20 net payout | $817.07 net payout |
| V1 Pirate Black ($220 Retail) | $901 | $828.92 net payout | $787.21 net payout |
| V2 Zebra ($220 Retail) | $332 | $305.44 net payout | $287.46 net payout |
How Did the 2019 Analog 700 and Checkout Tools Shape Drops?
New colorway drops every two to three months kept demand surging into 2019. On April 27, 2019, the Boost 700 Analog arrived in stores. Dressed in cream and grey mesh with suede overlays, the Analog 700 carried a $300 retail price. Select limited editions across the broader line reached up to 10 times their original retail tags.
Because online allocations sold out in minutes across brand queues, manual buyers faced steep odds. Studying sneaker bot checkout strategies helps collectors understand how automated queue handling works during drops.
When limited stock goes live across Shopify boutiques and major retailers, experienced buyers rely on software. Leading platforms such as Valor AIO, Cybersole, Stellar AIO, and NikeShoeBot manage tasks and residential proxies cleanly.
How does V1 sizing compare to V2 Primeknit sizing?
Original 2015 V1 pairs run half a size big in length for some wearers or require sizing up for wide feet, whereas V2 models feature a tighter toe box that requires going up 0.5 size.
What is the main visual difference between the V1 and V2 silhouettes?
The V1 features a curved suede arch patch and center stitching without side text, while the V2 introduces a lateral stripe displaying SPLY-350 lettering and a higher translucent midsole.
