COMPARED: adidas Yeezy Slide vs. Yeezy Slide YS-01

A few years back, it wasn’t a strange sight to see Yeezy sneakers in big box retailers, but that was back when Ye, FKA Kanye West, still had his partnership with adidas. The controversial artist and designer has emerged from his cyclical exile, jet-setting across the globe for sold-out stadium shows and, in recent weeks, a new partnership with JD Sports that brings Yeezy footwear back to physical shelves.

A flagship model for the independent Yeezy brand is the YS-01, which Ye first dropped under the adidas Yeezy line as the Yeezy Slide. Paperwork from the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows that Ye owns the rights to the adidas Yeezy Slide, the only model from the adidas Yeezy line that he has been allowed to create through his own independent label.

Ahead of the first Yeezy drop at JD Sports, including multiple Yeezy Slide colorways, the BL-01, HL-02, YS-02, and AQ-01, we’re comparing the adidas Yeezy Slide with the new independent Yeezy YS-01 slides.

Similarities Between the adidas Yeezy Slide and the Yeezy Slide YS-01

Shape

Since Ye owns the design patent for the Yeezy Slide, that means the pair he is producing through his own Yeezy label is identical to the one that was made with adidas. The exact same shape and dimensions that were present on the adidas Yeezy Slide are found here, so when looking at them side by side, you’ll see no difference in this department.

Material

While adidas never revealed the exact compound of foam used on the adidas Yeezy Slide, the new Yeezy slides from Ye have the same bouncy and cloud-like foam. There may be slight differences in the chemical mixture that Ye uses, but for all intents and purposes, it's the same EVA foam.

Comfort

Since the shape and materials used in the Yeezy Slide YS-01 are the same as those of the adidas Yeezy Slide, the comfort level is also identical between the two.

Differences Between the adidas Yeezy Slide and the Yeezy Slide YS-01

Branding

The major difference you’ll notice between the YS-01 and the adidas Yeezy Slide is the branding. Obviously, the new Yeezy Slide is made without adidas’ backing, so the Three Stripes logo that previously sat on the circle near the heel is gone. Yeezy doesn’t typically do logos or branding on its items, and this is true here, as there are no logos anywhere on the new YS-01.

Sizing

The adidas Yeezy Slide was notorious for fitting small, but that issue has been fixed on the YS-01. Now, the Yeezy Slide fits true to size, so no need to go up a full size like you used to on the adidas Yeezy Slide.

Color

Colorways on the Yeezy Slide YS-01 are in the same realm as colors released on the adidas Yeezy Slide, but there are subtle differences in the shade between the two. At a distance, it’s not super noticeable, but if you place an adidas Yeezy Slide and a YS-01 next to one another, you’ll see that they’re not identical.

Thickness

The comfort of the Yeezy Slide YS-01 is comparable to that of the adidas Yeezy Slide, but the thickness differs between the two. The thicker of the two is the adidas Yeezy Slide, as there is more foam throughout the whole design.

Yeezy Slide YS-01 Release Info

The Yeezy Slide YS-01 is available now through yeezy.com, but pairs will be released at JD Sports on August 13, 2026 online and in-store at select JD Sports locations in the US. Retail is $44. To stay updated on all upcoming Yeezy sneaker releases and more in the footwear world, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com