WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
From Crocs to socks, Balenciaga has revolutionised the sneakerverse over the last few years with its weird and wacky footwear offerings. In turn, the brand has positioned itself as the Marmite of the luxury sneaker world – you either love them or you hate them. More than anything, this is a testament to creative director Demna Gvasalia’s ability to create noise.
You'd be forgiven for presuming that Balenciaga’s bulky creps are hard to style, uncomfortable and of an oversized fit, but that’s not necessarily the case. To find out more about Balenciaga sneakers, we reached out to six content creators who know a thing or two about the Paris-based brand’s selection of kicks. Discover what they had to say about their favourite pairs of Balenciaga sneakers below.
Balenciaga Sneaker Overview:
How do Balenciaga sneakers fit?
Balenciaga sneakers do fit slightly bigger than the average sneaker, so you may want to consider sizing down.
How comfortable are Balenciaga sneakers?
The comfort level of a Balenciaga sneaker depends on the silhouette you choose. The most comfortable Balenciaga silhouettes are the Balenciaga Speed, Balenciaga Track 2.0 and the recently-released Balenciaga Runners.
How can you clean Balenciaga sneakers?
It's easy to look after Balenciaga sneakers: all that’s required is some lukewarm warm water and a cloth or paper towel.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga Runner
Curtis Don Deano (@curtisdondeano) (He/Him)
Creative based in Baltimore, US
Balenciaga Runners are what I like to call ‘head turners’ – they're ‘What are those?!’ kind of shoe. Having said that, I love that they’re not too loud or flashy, they’re just different enough to attract attention.
Today, I’m wearing my blue/silver Runners that are simple yet futuristic. If I could afford to hop aboard one of Elon Musk’s rockets, I’d definitely wear these to space.
How do Balenciaga Runner sneakers fit?
Like most shoes from the Paris-based label, Balenciaga runners are a little roomy, even if the toe box is a little narrow.
If you have wide feet, I would recommend opting for your true size. On the other hand, if you have narrow feet, I would recommend sizing down.
How do you style Balenciaga Runner sneakers?
My day-to-day schedule often entails various tasks, which means I may need to wear a tracksuit early in the morning and switch to something a little smarter later in the day.
Today, I’ve paired my Balenciaga Runners with a classic motorcycle jacket, a white T-shirt and some silver trousers. I wanted to take the outfit back to the Y2K era where metallics foreshadow the future.
How comfortable are Balenciaga Runner sneakers?
The Balenciaga Runners are so comfortable that they make a great everyday sneaker. To go into detail, I would say these shoes offer the same level of comfort as the Balenciaga Speed sneakers and the same amount of support as the Track 2.0 sneakers.
How do you care for your Balenciaga Runner sneakers?
The best thing about Balenciaga Runners is that they have a worn-out look. As they already appear distressed, it’s easy to keep them looking brand-new. All you need to do is wipe them with a paper towel.
When it comes to storing the shoes, I always stuff them to prevent the mesh toe box from creasing. It’s super important you do this because you can wipe stains, but creases are permanent.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga X-Pander
Joel Mcloughlin (@gallucks) (He/Him)
Content creator based in London, UK
I remember being extremely intrigued the first time I saw the X-Pander sneakers in the Balenciaga SS21 lookbook. I wanted to know how they worked and what it would feel like to walk in them. Intrigue slowly turned into an obsession which led me to cop a pair.
How do Balenciaga X-Pander sneakers fit?
I've been sizing down when purchasing Balenciaga sneakers for years – I’m usually a UK 9, but I feel like a UK 8 is a better fit! Either they make large sneakers or my feet are shrinking!
How do your style your Balenciaga X-Pander sneakers
I usually style my Balenciaga X-Pander sneakers with denim, whether that be baggy jeans or cut-off shorts. I really enjoy juxtaposing worn-out denim with futuristic sneakers – it’s a casual outfit with a twist, one that’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
How comfortable are Balenciaga X-Pander sneakers?
The Balenciaga X-Panders are surprisingly comfortable, although I must admit that it took me some time to get used to them. The shoe elevates your heel the same way a stiletto would, so if you’re not used to walking at a slant, you better be prepared to learn.
How do you care for your Balenciaga X-Pander sneakers?
I care for my Balenciaga X-Panders by wiping the mesh and leather upper, but I avoid muddy terrain as the sole mechanism is a bit of a nightmare to clean.
On the topic of storing my X-Panders, I carefully place them with all of my other shoes on a shoe shelf. This way, I can keep a close eye on them.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga Track
Maxime Chastan (@70s.vogue)
Fashion YouTuber based in Paris, France
Above all else, the design of the Balenciaga Track sneaker is what allured me to the sneaker. The hyper-stylised upper – formed from a mixture of high-quality materials – is so imposing, it takes an outfit to the next level.
How do Balenciaga Track sneakers fit?
As far as sizing is concerned, these shoes – like the majority of luxury shoes – are a little bigger than what you can expect from Nike and adidas. Bearing this in mind, I would suggest sizing down when picking up a pair of Balenciaga Track sneakers.
How do you style Balenciaga Track Sneakers?
I wear my Balenciagas with a range of pieces – fortunately, the white colourway I picked works with everything. I’m a huge fan of Balenciaga in general, and I like to pair my Balenciaga tops and bottoms with these sneakers. Additionally, I like to pair these shoes with my Burberry tartan pants.
How comfortable are Balenciaga Track sneakers?
The Balenciaga Track 2.0s are much lighter than the 1.0s and a lot more comfortable. In fact, I would say these sneakers are the most comfortable sneakers to boast the Balenciaga name.
How do you care for your Balenciaga Track Sneakers?
There are three things you need to do to take good care of your sneakers: 1) store them away from sunlight, 2) clean them regularly and 3) make sure you cover them in a waterproof coating.
To clean my Balenciaga Track sneakers, I use products from the Crep Protect range. Don't leave your dirty sneakers – there’s no excuse.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga Triple S
Charlotte Buttrick (@charlottebuttrick)
Fashion YouTuber based in Manchester, UK
I love the way the Balenciaga Triple S works with every outfit in my closet. Whether I’m feeling a casual jean and plain tee combination or feel like pairing a dress with a leather jacket, I can always rely on my Triple S sneakers to finish off the look. If you’re smart, you’ll opt for a simple colourway to get the most out of your purchase. As you can see, I selected an all-white pair.
How do Balenciaga Triple S sneakers fit?
I can confidently say that Balenciaga Triple S sneakers fit slightly big; hence, my advice would be to size down when purchasing a pair. If you don’t have the option to size down, I would recommend investing in a good pair of insoles.
How do you style Balenciaga Triple S sneakers?
As I touched upon above, I enjoy styling my Balenciaga Triple S sneakers with everything in my wardrobe. Recently, I’ve been styling them with a lot of neutral outfits: cream or beige trousers paired with a white t-shirt or jumper and a cream leather jacket.
I also regularly style these sneakers with blue jeans and bodysuit ensembles, blacked-out outfits and off-duty sweatsuit ensembles.
How comfortable are Balenciaga Triple S sneakers?
The Balenciaga Triple S sneaker is relatively comfortable. The heaviness of the shoe is counterbalanced by the cushioned sole to deliver a unique on-foot experience that is suitable for all-day wear.
How do you care for your Balenciaga Triple S sneakers?
I wipe the sole of my Balenciaga Triple S sneakers after every use, and I’ve ended up washing them with shampoo once or twice.
An easy tip for washing the laces is to soak them in a bowl of hot water that’s spiked with a little washing-up liquid. Leave the laces to soak in the goodness overnight and then rinse them before leaving them to air dry.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga Speed
Louis Bao (@louisbao_)
Content creator based in Berlin, Germany
It was love at first sight when I first laid my eyes on the Balenciaga Speed sneakers upon the feet of South Korean rapper G-Dragon. I was shocked and fascinated by their appearance.
Why do I like them? They’re sporty, elegant and timeless. Oh, and they’re also super convenient. I slip my feet into them before any occasion as they can be worn with anything.
How do Balenciaga Speed sneakers fit?
I would NOT recommend choosing your true size when purchasing these sneakers; instead, I’d suggest you size down. You want them to fit tight like a snug pair of socks.
How do you style Balenciaga Speed sneakers?
The Balenciaga Speed sneaker is super easy to style – much easier than other shoes in my collection. Whether I combine them with jeans, dress pants or sweatpants, they always work well with my fit. For this reason, I wear them at least five times a week.
Recently, I’ve been wearing my Speed sneakers with cropped pants paired with hoodies, blazers, sweaters and loose T-shirts.
How comfortable are Balenciaga Speed sneakers?
Balenciaga Speed sneakers are one of the most comfortable shoes I own. The fact that these shoes have no laces means I can get into them easily without any problems; thus, I’ll never require a shoehorn when opting for these shoes.
How do you care for your Balenciaga Speed Sneakers?
I take care of all of my shoes by using a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water. And when I’m not wearing my Speed sneakers, I store them in my closet.
Balenciaga Sneaker Styling and Sizing Guide
Balenciaga Tyrex
Hee Jun Sung (@s19_project)
Content creator based in Seoul, South Korea
Balenciaga never fails to shock and surprise, and the fairly new Tyrex silhouette is new and unexpected, and perfectly encapsulates the brand’s vibe.
The Balenciaga Tyrex is similar to the ubiquitous Track sneaker in that it features multiple panels and textures, but this silhouette is reminiscent of a more classic shoe.
How do Balenciaga Tyrex sneakers fit?
I would recommend you purchase these sneakers in the same size you purchase all of your other sneakers. For me, that means sizing up.
How do you style Balenciaga Tyrex sneakers?
When it comes to styling a pair of designer sneakers, I like to take inspiration from the brand’s runway collections. I like clothes that combine avant-garde, classic and sportswear influences – unsurprisingly, I love Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga collections.
In general, I like to dress depending on my mood. I like to showcase my looks to the world and interact with people over fashion. I think it’s important that I continue pushing the boundaries of my style.
How comfortable are Balenciaga Tyrex sneakers?
I have tried many Balenciaga shoes and I’d say the Balenciaga Tyrex sneakers are just as comfortable as the rest of the brand’s offerings. Personally, I think these sneakers are much more comfortable than the bulky Triple S sneakers, and a lot more convenient too.
How do you care for your Balenciaga Tyrex sneakers?
I like to keep my shoes clean, so I wipe them with a clean cloth after wearing them. And when I’m not wearing them, I store them with a shoe tree inside of them. If you don’t own a shoe tree, I would suggest stuffing them with the tissue from the original shoe box.