Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, has once again used his unconventional marketing tactics to introduce new products. During the 2025 Super Bowl, he launched two new footwear models under his Yeezy brand: the SL-02 sneaker and the SL-03 boot.
However, the announcement did not come through a high-budget commercial. Instead, Ye took a DIY approach, shooting the ad on an iPhone, reportedly because he had spent his ad budget on new teeth. Take a look at the Super Bowl ad below:
The commercial directed viewers to Yeezy.com, where the all-black SL-02 and SL-03 were available for purchase. The designs of the low-top sneaker and the high-top boot feature the minimal aesthetic seen in previous Yeezy releases. As reported by Sneaker News, the brand-new Yeezy footwear is priced at $20.
However, as fans expect with anything Kanye does, controversy followed. Shortly after the launch, most Yeezy products vanished from the website, leaving only a single highly controversial t-shirt that has a Swastika logo on it. On the other hand, Ye’s X (formerly Twitter) account was deactivated.
Yeezy’s low-cost, minimalist shift
Recently, Ye has shifted Yeezy’s focus from luxury sneakers to affordable and minimalist designs. The SL-02 and SL-03 also come with this approach, following the SL-01 slides, which were the first in this new SL lineup. Unlike previous Yeezy collaborations with Adidas, these new models are produced independently under Ye’s YZY brand.
With a $20 price tag, the SL-02 and SL-03 are some of the relatively cheapest Yeezy shoes ever released. This pricing strategy seemingly aims to align with Ye’s vision of making footwear more accessible, which is a contrast to the resale-driven hype culture that was seen with earlier Yeezy models.
Exploring the design of the Yeezy SL-02 and SL-03 shoes
Both models share a relatively simple aesthetic. Some of the pairs' key features include:
Yeezy SL-02: The low-top sneaker
- Silhouette: A low-cut sneaker with a sleek and minimal profile.
- Material: The shoes are allegedly made from a matte black material, which is likely a synthetic blend.
- Sole: A flat and rubber outsole has been incorporated, which is expected to provide basic traction.
- Lacing system: Traditional lace-up closure, adding to the simple design.
The SL-02 might be a good pick as an everyday casual sneaker.
Yeezy SL-03: The high-top boot
- Silhouette: A chunky, high-cut boot. The pair is reminiscent of industrial and oversized footwear trends.
- Material: Like the SL-02, it features a monochrome black design with a reported synthetic construction.
- Sole: This one's sole is thicker and bulkier than the SL-02. It creates a rugged look.
- Closure: No visible laces, suggesting a pull-on design or hidden fasteners.
The SL-03 leans into futuristic fashion, similar to the oversized boots Ye has been seen wearing in recent times.
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