Balenciaga Takes the Traditional Gym Shoe to the Extreme for Its Latest Oversized Sneaker
Balenciaga’s viral footwear releases continue with the debut of its latest oversized sneaker.
Called the 10XL sneaker, the silhouette was first seen as part of Balenciaga’s fall 2024 runway collection in Los Angeles in December. At the time of the show, the first two colorways of the style (yellow/white/blue and blue/gray/black) were made available for pre-order at Balenciaga’s women’s flagship on Rodeo Drive.
More from Footwear News
According to the French luxury fashion house, the new 10XL sneaker continues the label’s exploration of exaggerated and extreme silhouettes. But, despite its size, the oversized shoe is lightweight and features an augmented design of a traditional gym shoe – a common theme for the company.
The new sneaker style also features a worn-out effect, a sporty “B” logo on the upper, and an angled “B” logo (first used on the Cargo sneaker in the brand’s spring 2024 collection) on each shoe’s outside-facing side is angled, giving the impression of acceleration. And the sole of the shoe takes a hint of inspiration from the brand’s Bouncer sneaker with a slight tire tread-like detail on the back of the sole.
The 10XL sneaker is the latest viral shoe release from Balenciaga creative director Demna. In the company’s most recent winter 2024 show, Balenciaga presented the Supersoft Derby as well as the Pasadena Loafer. Both featured elongated, pointed-toe boxes that pointed up. It’s a shape Demna has worked with before. This most recent collection also featured a mule, dubbed the Louis XV Mule that was pointed and featured a floppy bow made of ribbons, and the bulbous Stomper boot.
Balenciaga’s cadence of updating a previously viral shoe also came in September when the label dropped the 3XL Sock Shoe, which offered an exaggerated take on the original knit model from 2016 that helped cement Demna‘s name in fashion.
The new Balenciaga 10XL sneaker, which retails for $1,300, is now available in men’s and women’s sizes and in white/grey/black, grey/yellow and grey/pink/black colorways.
Launch Gallery: Balenciaga 10XL Sneaker Collection, Photos
Best of Footwear News
Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.