Check Out This Never-Before-Seen Nike Air Yeezy 1 Wear Test Sample
*PJ Tucker has entered the chat*
Even 12 years after its release, Kanye West and Nike‘s Air Yeezy 1 remains a shoe that’s shrouded in sneaker lore and legend. Besides its trio of retail colorways — “Blink,” “Zen Grey” and “Net,” all of which fetch handsome four-figure sums on the aftermarket — West and Nike Sportswear‘s high-cut creation also holds the distinction of the most expensive athletic shoe ever: a sample pair that West wore at the 2008 Grammys sold for $1.8 million USD in April. Now, the Air Yeezy 1’s legend is expanding with a first look at a colorful wear test sample.
Wear test samples, which are made well before a sneaker arrives on shelves, are designed to test color, construction and durability. Often, they differ vastly from the final product that’s made available to consumers. That’s certainly the case here, as this Air Yeezy 1 features a perforated white leather upper that’s trimmed with neon pink collar lining and also features gray suede mudguards plus a sky blue patent leather midfoot overlay. Its Air Jordan 3-inspired midsoles are done up in white, and outsoles appear to feature glow-in-the-dark detailing.
Nike Yeezy fans will surely notice that this wear test sample is missing its signature midfoot strap as well. According to Instagram account mc1skrs, who first posted the shoe, this is because West himself cut the strap off, wanting to see how the Air Yeezy 1 would look without it.
This Air Yeezy 1 wear test sample is an ultra-rare style, a likely one of one that will never see a retail release, though NBA “sneaker king” PJ Tucker of the Milwaukee Bucks is likely scheming up a way to get his hands on them right now. For those without Tucker’s cash and connections, photos of the shoe can be enjoyed above and below.
Elsewhere in the world of footwear, check out West and adidas‘ YEEZY Quantum in a murky “Onyx” colorway.
