Sportswear giants Nike and adidas create two of the most iconic sneakers of all time - the Jordan 1 and the Yeezy Boost - but if you're like us, you've probably wondered which of them is best?
It's a testament to the legacies of Michael Jordan and Kanye West that both sneakers made an instant impact on their arrival.
Not only that, but new colourways for both are still being released to this day, like the Yeezy 350 v2 "Reverse Oreo", as well as older designs, like the reimagined Jordan 1 "Chicago", are being repurposed for newer audiences to huge success.
So, to help you gain a better understanding of how these two legendary sneakers revolutionised the game, we've put together this guide comparing their similarities and differences before giving our overall verdict on which of the two we think is best.
Let's begin...
Jordan 1 vs Yeezy Boost - History
You don't have to be a basketball fan to know who Michael Jordan is, but back in 1984, then-rookie MJ was selected as the third overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA draft.
Jordan was an instant success so, by 1985, the world was introduced to the first signature Air Jordan 1, known then as the "Banned" colourway, but perhaps now more commonly referred to as the "Bred".
Interestingly, the "Banned" nickname came from the rumour that the NBA fined Jordan $5,000 per game every time he wore the red and black basketball shoes.
Nike used this to their advantage by applying the banned theme to their marketing strategy, thus catapulting the popularity of these sneakers to new heights both then, and for years to come.
You have to fast forward all the way to 2007 to find the first pair of Yeezy's; however, they weren't made by adidas.
No, Kanye had signed a deal with Nike to create Air Yeezy's, but because the collaboration was short-lived, the world only saw three sneakers released under this partnership.
Later down the line, adidas confirmed its relationship with Kanye in 2013 and, by 2015, the first pair of Yeezy Boost 350's known as the "Turtle Dove's" were born.
Despite the Jordan 1 being older, both have gone on to break sales records and pretty much outperform all other sneakers on the market, thus cementing them as two of the most iconic sneakers ever made.
Jordan 1 vs Yeezy Boost - Price
Now you know the history, you're probably wondering which out of the two is the cheapest?
Generally speaking, Jordan 1's, like the "Shadow 2.0" featured in our list of the best Jordan 1 colourways, are cheaper than a comparable pair of Yeezy Boost's like the more recent 350 v2's.
This is mostly down to the exclusivity of Yeezy's. Although they are now more widely available, Yeezy stock was originally limited, meaning every drop was almost an instant sellout.
The gap is now closer than you might think though, with some Jordan 1 releases actually retailing for more than a pair of Yeezy's.
Jordan 1 vs Yeezy Boost - Design
Comparing the design of the Jordan 1 and Yeezy Boost is tough as they're not really built for the same purpose.
From an aesthetic standpoint, Yeezy's are often a little more reserved, with adidas and Kanye usually opting for one or two-tone, muted colour schemes.
By contrast, you can find a whole range of bold, unique, and extravagant Jordan 1 designs, but there are also some, like the upcoming "Inside Out" colourway, which tone things down more towards the Yeezy level.
In terms of comfort, both are fairly equal for cushioning, with Yeezy's incorporating adidas' Boost technology in the midsoles, and Jordan's featuring Nike Air units underfoot.
However, Jordan 1's are almost exclusively made from leather which you'll likely find to be a little stiffer than a pair of Yeezy's usual PrimeKnit construction.
Which Should You Buy?
For comfort, we'd argue you're probably better off going for a pair of Yeezy's; however, for nostalgia and variety, particularly if you're a basketball fan, the Jordan 1's have Yeezy's beat.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to you and your own personal style. Neither one is categorically better than the other in all areas, so your best bet is to select the sneaker which you think looks best and matches your taste.
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