The adidas Yeezy line became more accessible with the drop of the Beluga colorway. A year later, a Beluga 2.0 dropped for the masses. Putting stock numbers and resell aside, which is the better shoe? Lets find out.
Brief History
The first beluga (we'll call it B1) was an important milestone for adidas and Kanye. After 4 successful 350 launches, and 3 successful 750 launches, they revamped the 350 into the 350 V2, making structural enhancements as well as ushering in a new upper pattern and heel design. Met with mixed feelings (aren't they all though), the B1s would be the most accessible Yeezy to date, but far from a GR. Just over a year later, adidas and Kanye dropped a Beluga 2.0 (lets call it B2), that flipped the orange stripe and grey writing to a grey stripe and orange writing, and added a heel tab.
Initial Reactions
I got my B1 pair via a Footlocker raffle at Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. (a mere 6 hour round trip drive from Indianapolis) and it was one of the best road trips I could have taken. When I opened the box, I was met with a vivid orange stripe, an orange and grey primeknit upper, and a shoe that looked like it was well thought out and carefully planned.
I got my B2 pair at a Finish Line raffle in Castelton Sq. Mall in Indiana. When I opened that box, I was met with a pair that had the same overall look and feel, but lacked heart and innovation. I was impressed, but I wasn't blown away.
**Point B1**
Details:
The B1 has one of the most detailed uppers on a shoe in recent memory. The way the orange stitching is perfectly woven in with the grey, makes it a top notch release. The orange stripe is so unique because it changes brightness with different lighting and surroundings. When the sunset hits it, that is arguably the lighting that makes this shoe look the best.
The B2 lacks the speckled orange stitching, so indirectly it has a colder feel. In a way, it works though because with the solid laces, it works with any outfit that has even a hint of grey in it. The grey upper is more of blue-grey than the B1s which have a more traditional grey upper. The orange lettering is a nice detail that stands out (like the red does on the bred pair) and that helps it be instantly identifiable with a Yeezy feel.
**Point B1**
Wear-ability/Durability
The B1 was adidas' first go with the newly designed V2, so it left some durability specs to be desired. The heel had virtually no real reinforcement, at least none that have held up from heavy wear. The primeknit is also more sock like, it has greater stretch, and a softer feel, which is great for comfort, but not ideal for wearing all day long. I wore this shoe around Disney World for a day and I can't advise you do the same... it doesn't lock your foot in.
The B2 has enhancements that make it ideal. It has the added heel tab, as well as the thicker 3M stripes inside the heel (as opposed to the basically etched on stripes on the B1). While the upper primeknit is not the softest (I'm still working on breaking my pair in, they get stiff) they lock your feet in more and have an overall sturdier feel to them. If i need a pair to wear all day, I would go for the B2.
**Point B2**
Top 3 Specs of Each
B1 (right)
Orange primeknit woven into the upper
Comfier upper construction of the primeknit
Laces - the pattern laces add an extra wow factor
B2 (left)
Heel tab - added durability
Daily wear practicality (matches a lot)
Vivid orange lettering - subtle hit that adds an extra pop
The Edge:
While the Beluga 2.0 is more practical for daily wear, the Beluga 1 has better construction details, an unmistakable vivid orange stripe, and has that traditional Kanye feel to it. You can imagine him designing this shoe and saying, it needs to be louder, let's add a bright orange stripe. Iconic. This shoe will be a collector's item for years to come, and plays a pivotal role in the Yeezy boost line. It is the clear winner in my opinion.
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Thanks for reading this # ToeToToe comparison, and let me know your thoughts! Comment below and let me know which Beluga Yeezy you like better and why.
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