Without a shadow of a doubt, the Yeezy 500 is Kanye West's most experimental silhouette to date. Unlike anything release before or even after it, it stands in a class of its own, fusing the infamous chunky shoe trend with a design that's truly out of the ordinary. When the 500 made its grand debut back in 2018, it was codenamed the Desert Rat and immediately became the topic of discussion, not only for sneakerheads but also for mainstream media. How did adidas give one of the ugliest shoes ever made the green light?
Well, Yeezy obviously knew what he were was, because three years later it's one of the most popular models out there. From its premium leather and suede construction to its breathtaking adiPRENE midsole, everything about this shoe is beautifully executed and well thought-out.
If you want to cop your first 500, we've compiled a size guide to help you find the perfect fit. With feedback from The Sole Supplier team, we're here to answer all your questions. Do they run small? Should you go true to size? How comfortable are they? We've got you covered!
Yeezy 500 - How Do They Fit?
- Fit: In general, the Yeezy 500 fits half a size up.
- Comfort: The 500's adiPRENE midsole is extremely comfortable and perfect for all-day wear.
- Care: Use a fine suede brush to remove any grime and warm water to wipe down the leather.
- Styling: Due to the clean monotone colourways the Desert Rat is very easy to style.
Yeezy 500 - What Our Product Specialists Think
When I got my first pair of 500s back in 2018, I was genuinely blown away by how comfortable they were.
Adam - Head of News & Creative
Is the Yeezy 500 true to size?
The Yeezy 500 runs slightly small so you need to go half a size up. If you have particularly wide feet you will definitely need to size up or your toes will be squished as the shoe has narrow toebox and midfoot. This applies for the High silhouette as well.
Are they comfortable?
When I got my first pair of 500s back in 2018, I was genuinely blown away by how comfortable they were. While they don't have the same response as adidas Boost, the comfort and cushioning is still off the charts.
How do you style them?
I have every single colourway under the sun but my favourite pair to style is the "Utility Black". Rock them with an oversized hoodie, a pair of trackpants, and some white ribbed socks and you're good to go!
How do you clean them?
If you know me I'm not a big fan of cleaning my kicks as I think the marks give them a little bit of retro character, but if I had to then a simple suede brush for ten seconds across each side does the trick!
They're my go-to sneaker if I know I'm going to have a long day out shopping or in a city.
Emily - Digital Marketing & Acquisition Manager
How do they fit?
I find that that Yeezy 500 fits small, but not as small as the Yeezy 700. With that, I go half a size up from my true to size, so the same size as Yeezy 350s!
Is the Yeezy 500 comfortable?
Very comfortable! They're my go-to sneaker if I know I'm going to have a long day out shopping or in a city.
How do you style them?
The Yeezy 500 is so versatile, it can be worn with a whole host of outfits, whether that's jeans or joggers for the chunkier look, they go great!
How do you clean them?
These are hard to clean because of the suede. A Jason Markk Suede Brush or cleaning kit does the job for the uppers, while the midsole just needs a simple wipe down.
They’re a real workhorse of a sneaker that will never let you down.
Jack - Content Writer
How do they fit?
Like most Yeezys, I took half a size up from my “regular” size in the 500 for a comfortable fit. I wouldn’t risk going any smaller as they would be uncomfortable, but if I went any bigger they’d be too roomy.
Are they comfortable?
The Yeezy 500 is a very comfortable silhouette. They’re really supportive unlike a lot of Yeezy models and the adiPRENE+ midsole unit is as springy as ever, providing all day cushioning for long walks or days out. My pair are beaters now because I’ve worn them so much over the years.
How do you style them?
I’ve got the "Utility Black" pair and I can style them with anything to be honest, they’re a real workhorse of a sneaker that will never let you down.
How do you clean them?
The suede panels can be a little tricky to clean but with a decent amount of cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush they clean up nicely most of the time. Any other marks I’ll try and get rid of with a sneaker wipe.
I love my Yeezy 500s just as much as Kanye loves Kanye.
Raph - Content Writer
How do they fit?
I found that they fit a tiny bit small, very similar to the Yeezy 350. So I went half a size up from my regular size and they fit absolutely perfect! I think you can get away with TTS if you have narrow feet, but I highly recommend going 0.5 up!
Are they comfortable?
I am certain that the Yeezy 500 is undeniably one of the most comfortable pairs I’ve had in my rotation. As always, Kanye is always blessing my sneaker collection with insane levels of comfort and cushioning.
How do you style them?
I have the Yeezy 500 "Utility Black" and they look so fresh with track pants or joggers. I’ve also worn them with slim cropped trousers for a more street smart look.
How do you clean them?
I love my Yeezy 500s just as much as Kanye loves Kanye, meaning that I take care of them super well! I use my special sneaker cleaning kit to wipe off any dirt after a day out, and wipe on stain repellent solution to protect its plush suede panels.
Yeezy 500: What You Need To Know
Follow what our product specialists think and you'll definitely get the perfect size! The adidas Yeezy 500 is hands down one of the most underrated silhouettes that Kanye West has ever dropped. Renowned for its unique, bulbous aesthetic that many fail to mimic, the Desert Rat will definitely go down in history as one of the most iconic models to come from the adidas x Kanye partnership.
Generally speaking, the Yeezy 500 fits half a size up, so make sure you secure the right pair! More colourways are set to drop this year, so make sure you keep it locked at The Sole Supplier for your best chance to cop this as well as any other Yeezy sneaker release!
Check out our other Yeezy size guides below: