CSA's top 5 Yeezy Alternatives

Here at CSA, it's understood that everybody wants to look like Kanye West. I can remember the hype back in middle school when the Air Yeezy spontaneously dropped overnight, as well as the craze to get the first pair of Yeezys that Kanye dropped with Adidas.

But times have changed. While there are about a million different colorways for the Yeezy it seems, the hype just isn't there anymore. And let’s face it, the steep price you still have to pay to get your hands on a pair isn’t worth it to the casual sneakerhead.

Sure a pair of Yeezys might be cool in the future, but right now you’d settle for a sneaker that bears a resemblance at a fraction of the cost. As always, I’ve got you covered. Presenting, CSA’s guide to the 5 best Yeezy substitutes.

1-Nike Air Trainer Cruz mean price range $70-150

Air Trainer Cruz on left, Air Yeezy 2 on right

The Air Yeezy 2 needs no introduction. One of Ye’s only signature sneakers to drop with Nike, this shoe has made many appearances in celebrities’ closets and on runways.But let's be real for a sec. The odds that the average sneaker fanatic like you or me will ever get their hands on a pair of Air Yeezys, let alone be able to fork over the roughly 15k plus to land a pair, are astronomically stacked against us. But depending on sizing of course, from anywhere between $32 (yes I’ve seen them that low on Depop) to $1,500 (yes I’ve seen them that high for the Red October colorway on GOAT)- the casual sneakerhead can get a very good looking shoe that bears a strong resemblance to an Air Yeezy. Nike paired up with former New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz on these, making it a celebrity collaboration that’s much more affordable and realistic for the common folk.

Jordan Legacy 312 High mean price range $45-160

Jordan Legacy 312 on left, Air Yeezy 1 on right

Now we get it. Amongst the hype beasts and the elites of the sneaker community, this Air Yeezy 1 look alike designed by the legendary Don C absolutely flopped when they hit the streets in 2018. For whatever reason, people just can’t get behind the idea of Jordan mashups. The good news? You can get these kicks for well under the original retail. Celebs such as Kid Cudi and Billie Eilish have been spotted sporting the Ghost Green colorway, so it's not like these sneakers are complete rejects. The resemblance to the Air Yeezy 1 can't be denied, and the price point is hard to beat, which is why this sneaker makes the list.

Adidas Tubular X Primeknit 2.0 price range $40-100

Adidas Tubular X Primeknit 2.0 on left, on right Yeezy Boost 350

This shoe is among the most criminally underrated Yeezy substitutes. Their predecessor, the Tubular X, actually served as inspiration for the Yeezy 350s. The Primeknit 2.0 released in late 2017, and due to the popularity of Adidas Ultra Boost at the time, it was met with little fanfare. The result? You can purchase the shoe today for far below retail in a plethora of places, and yet very few of your friends or acquaintances will have them. In fact, you’ll see far more of the Yeezy 350s out and about than you will the Primeknit 2.0s.

Adidas Ozweego price range $50-120

Adidas Ozweego on left, Yeezy Boost 700 V2

Originally released in 1996 as a running shoe, the Ozweego was last released in 2019, where it was met with mild success, but was outshone by the Nite JOGGER. In terms of releasing in earthy colors that are strongly associated with Yeezy, this shoe is the strongest in the list. Theoretically, it could be worn as a runner still, but it is best suited as a lifestyle sneaker.

The silhouette is subtle, yet elegant and goes with athleisure looks as well as chic, much like its Yeezy counterpart, the Yeezy 700 V2.

Nike Joyride CC3 Setter price range $85-130

Nike Joyride CC3 Setter on left, Yeezy Boost 380 on right

A collaboration between designer Mathew M. Williams, who most would recognize as the man appointed to Givenchy’s men’s and women's collections in the summer of 2020, and Nike’s Joyride shoe line, this shoe ranges in the higher price range in the list, but is worth it. It incorporates all the gel technology of the Joyride in the heel, arch and toe. The colorways for this collaboration are far more Yeezy reminiscent, ranging from Jet black to pure white. The Joyride has never been the most popular of the new age Nike runners, as the Pegasus is by far the most preferred in terms of comfort and function. Because of this, the collaboration flew far under the radar when it was released in the Winter of 2019. As runners, these shoes would fall short of the mark, however as a lifestyle shoe, these are by far one of the sleekest options for a Yeezy 380 alternative.