Worth the Hype? Grading Yeezy Boosts, Air Jordans and Other Classic Kicks

Are those kicks worth the hype? It's a question sneakerheads have to ponder whenever they break out their debit cards and attack the transactional docks digital and in-person retailers use to secure purchases.

Hype has turned sneakers into wearable pieces of art. Kicks have become a staple of fashion, and like any other form of fashion, sometimes hype outweighs the quality of a product.

The following list was created to put 10 of the most hyped sneakers in recent memory to the test. Do they live up to substantial price tags and insane lines?

Analyzing the best of what the sneaker industry has to offer, we now bring you the ultimate hype vs. quality competition.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 350

Image courtesy of Adidas

Any sneaker marked with Kanye West's name is bound to generate raffles, debates and irrational tiers of hype. The Yeezy Boost 350 is no different.

West's low-top Boost 350 followed the initial high-top 750 design released in February. The shoe was an easier transition for sneakerheads based on aesthetics alone.

Does all of the hype surrounding the 350 equal quality? The answer tends to be in the eye of the beholder. In a causal sense, it does. Adidas' Yeezy Boost 350 looks the part, and thanks to a Primeknit upper, it's lightweight.

The biggest issues arise from the quality of materials. Matt Welty at Complex spoke about how the shoe was falling apart for certain consumers when it first came out. Luckily, that type of stuff hasn't been overly prevalent and wear tests have proven so.

All of the evidence leads us to believe the Yeezy Boost 350 is worth it. The sleek design, comfortable Boost sole and Primeknit upper create an aura of quality that has pushed Adidas to the forefront of innovation.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Air Jordan XII 'Wings'

Image courtesy of Nike

Jordan Brand's ambition never ceases to amaze. To circulate retro models as much as they do requires fresh colorways and even fresher concepts.

The Air Jordan XII was given a conceptual treatment thanks to 2016's "Wings" edition. A base colorway resembles the traditional Jordan XII "Playoffs" shoe. However, after exposing the surface to any sort of friction, a gold layer appears on the upper.

According to Sneaker Bar Detroit, this shoe was a limited release, instantly qualifying it for waves of hype.

The "Wings" XII sold out, turning the shoe strictly into an expensive drifter out there in the resell market. Originally, it was priced at $225—a pretty standard fee for "premium" Jordans.

Did this shoe live up to the hype? Aesthetically, yes. It's gorgeous. Materials-wise, the leather they used rivals some "lower-end" models, which was disappointing. It's not nearly as premium as you'd expect.

For its original $225 price, you could argue it was worth the price. But considering only 12,000 pairs were made and landing it at retail was nearly impossible, that line of thinking is null and void.

With the aftermarket flooded, the soaring price points out they aren't worth it. Instead, copping the traditional "Playoffs" or even the "Master" XIIs that dropped earlier this year are a better use of one's funds.

Hype vs. Quality: Hype

Adidas Ultra Boost

Image courtesy of Adidas

The Adidas Ultra Boost wasn't supposed to be an overly hyped shoe. Thanks to Kanye West and more so, customers realizing how beautiful of a sneaker this thing actually is, it became a shoe worthy of awards and heaps of praise.

What's stringent about the Ultra Boost is that it's an aesthetic dream that somehow feels better than it looks. Complex's Brandon Edler even went as far to dub it the "greatest running sneaker."

Hype rarely meets quality in a way that zero questions can be asked. The Adidas Ultra Boost is an exception to that rule.

It's a must-own sneaker that has altered the landscape of not only Adidas as a brand, but also the way people think about runners in general.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Air Jordan IV 'Cement'

Image courtesy of Nike

Timeless sneakers never go out of style, which turned the Air Jordan IV "Cement" into a patron of hype when it resurfaced earlier this year.

Previously, we talked about the cultural implications surrounding the Jordan IV "Cement." The shoe was a staple of pop culture when it debuted in 1989.

So when Jordan Brand made the decision to retro the "Cement" in 2016, it marked the first time fans were able to secure a pair since the last re-release in in 2012.

Rarely are you able to secure a retro pair that matches up to the original release. This 2016 version changed that noise thanks to expert detailing and a colorway closely resembling the '89 cut.

Part of the Jordan Remastered collection—a collection dedicated to infusing premium materials into classic shoes—the quality is pure butter on the "Cement" IV.

This shoe was worth the hype considering how it matches up to the original and how the materials used were significantly better than previous releases.

Jordan Brand advocates will agree the "Cement" IV was one of the top drops of 2016.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Nike Kobe 11 'Fade to Black'

Image courtesy of Nike

Honoring Kobe Bryant became a nightly occurrence during the 2015-16 NBA season, culminating with Mamba Day on April 13—Bryant's last game in the NBA.

Nike got in on the fun, offering up a "Fade to Black" version of the Kobe 11. The all-black rendition vanished within moments, becoming a signature offering of the Kobe 11 shoe.

All of the hype surrounding the end of the Black Mamba's career was well-deserved. Bryant is one of the single greatest entities in NBA history, and his relationship with Nike reflects that assessment.

Unlike a lot of sneakers on this list, Bryant's "Fade to Black" 11 is just one of many different colorways, giving consumers the chance to play and appreciate the design behind it without breaking the bank.

When you include the use of a NIKEiD platform too, the colorways and looks become endless.

Knowing all of those tidbits of information, for how special the "Fade to Black" Kobe 11 was, the sneaker is not worth the hype and ridiculous resell prices.

Hype vs. Quality: Hype

Adidas NMD

Image courtesy of Adidas

Adidas' torrid pace of presenting fresh ideas and unique sneakers continued with the NMD. Building off of quality drops like the Ultra Boost and Kanye West's Yeezy series, the NMD's construction came off as topnotch.

The shoe features a Primeknit upper and a sock-like fit. Superior, sophisticated materials coming together to top off an uncomplicated silhouette was the perfect way to keep Adidas' brand image on the up and up.

Rarely does a company hit the jackpot on a consistent basis when it comes to "signature" sneakers. The NMD's success—by T.S. Fox of Hypebeast's account, the sneaker sold over 400,000 pairs on March 17 alone—is a testament to hype and craftsmanship coming together.

Hype tends to outweigh quality a lot of times. The NMD isn't a victim of those circumstances.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Air Jordan X 'OVO'

Drake's work with Jordan Brand has come off as a cool way to revitalize countless Air Jordan designs. The ball really got rolling when the Air Jordan X "OVO" dropped.

Not before or since has the model looked so clean in terms of vanity. But does the hype create a quality product?

A tumbled leather base and stingray overlay print brings the best of Jordan Brand's materials to the "OVO" X. The shoe oozes luxury, which was a concern considering a lot of the recent Air Jordan X models haven't always carried that same type of affluence.

Drake's shoe—like Kanye West's over at Adidas—was introduced to a ton of fanfare. Being an exclusive drop, it was hard to get your hands on.

Despite those troubles, if you were lucky enough to nab a pair, you would have fallen in love with the product from aesthetics to materials. No Air Jordan X is quite as powerful as the "OVO" model.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Nike Air More Uptempo

It's fascinating to think that Scottie Pippen sporting the Nike Air More Uptempo in 1996 carries more weight than his own signature shoes.

Pippen boasted the Air More Uptempo with the Chicago Bulls. Considering in sneaker terms he had to compete with Michael Jordan, the fact this shoe stood out was confirmation that great design has always mattered more than the player itself.

The "Air" logo firmly supplanted on the sidewall of the sneaker is the go-home moment for this model. It represents basketball in the '90s perhaps more than any other sneaker released.

Nike brought the Air More Uptempo back and it promptly dissipated from online retailers and in-store displays.

The shoe matches up perfectly with the original—minus the size of the sole's air unit. It holds up in a casual setting, but also stands out on the court.

Like the original model, you have to realize what you're getting here. This shoe wasn't constructed to blow you away with its use of materials. It was built to last on the court. The 2016 retro version reflects that way of thinking.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

Air Jordan XII 'Flu Game'

An all-time classic returns May 28, and Jordan Brand is responsible for the carnage that's going to ensue.

The Air Jordan XII "Flu Game" signifies a time when Michael Jordan was battling flu-like symptoms during the 1997 NBA playoffs. In typical MJ fashion, he dropped 38 points, despite having to deal with those issues.

A traditional black and red color scheme has now become synonymous with Jordan's success, turning the "Flu Game" XIIs into a must-own Air Jordan effort.

Often, a great sneaker is not only conceived by the use of materials. It also needs a great story. The "Flu Game" is a narrative worthy of Ron Howard's direction.

Behind MJ's narrative lies a strong, quality product. Going by Brendan Dunne of Sole Collector, the shoe will pivot back to its original style, ditching nubuck for leather. 

The move signifies Jordan Brand's dedication to keeping retro kicks as close as possible to their predecessors.

If you love Air Jordans, missing out on the "Flu Game" XII isn't an option.

Quality vs. Hype: Quality

Nike Air Presto

Image courtesy of Nike

Nike's Air Presto, presented in a Flyknit construction, became a sought-after sneaker due to the market changing over to more simplistic silhouettes. It also received a fair share of hype, considering it was the first time Nike brought these shoes back since they first appeared 16 years ago.

The Air Presto's futuristic update was warranted. Turning a powerful aesthetic into a wearable, daily classic couldn't have been easy. Nike handled the pressure with style and grace.

Of all the Nike kicks that received a healthy dose of hype over the last few years, the Air Presto prevails as a winner. It's a complete sneaker that's able to convey the brand's message of tech-forward thinking without adding any fancy details or getting signature athletes involved.

Hype vs. Quality: Quality

All Nike/Jordan product information via News.Nike.com unless noted otherwise. All Adidas information via News.Adidas.com unless noted otherwise.