Balenciaga Runner review

Who should buy Balenciaga Runner

• Fans and collectors of deconstructed designer sneakers.
• Those who are looking for lightweight and supportive sustainable kicks for casual wear.
• Sneakerheads who want stylish and comfortable winter trainers.

Who should not buy Balenciaga Runner

For a less expensive pair, go with the Top 1% in. It costs 90.4% less than the Runner, and you don’t have to worry about an uncomfortable cage area.  Check out the NB 1960R Fans and collectors of deconstructed.

Balenciaga Runner is surprisingly comfy

There’s no question about how comfortable Balenciaga Runners are. We are obsessed with its comfy confines! This sneaker has got pretty cushy interiors.

Make sure to wear ankle socks

If there’s one issue worth noting, it's the upper cage around the heel. We found it to be a bit uncomfortable, especially when wearing low no-show socks.

The durability of Balenciaga Runner

Although the sneaker has a deconstructed look, it is pretty durable. Also, the distressed-looking upper gave us an edge as we didn't have to go crazy about messing the shoe up.

ASICS Gel Kayano 14

The average cost of a Balenciaga shoe is $836. That is roughly 8 times the cost of an average sneaker at $110. With a price tag of $1,150, Balenciaga Runner is ten times the average kick price-wise! This price tag is definitely not for everybody.

But even though the sneaker is quite pricey, it is still cheaper than the X-pander, which sells at $1,350.

But at least it's light on the foot

Although the silhouette is huge and bulky, you’ll be surprised that these sneakers aren’t heavy. It may look bulky but it feels nothing like that.

Wear them every day, even in the winter

We found this sneaker to be a lot more comfortable and wearable than the X-pander. Walking around in it is very enjoyable.

It can even handle a snowy day!

The durability of Balenciaga Runner

They might look weird at first but once we started to explore the details, we couldn't get our eyes off the shoe. A mix of materials gives it a very distressed aesthetic.  

It looks as though multiple shoes have been fused into one. It looks retro and futuristic at the same time and definitely gives off a dad-shoe vibe. 

That's one quirky shoe that's meant for someone who wants something else in their sneakers.

Distressed, dope, and deconstructed

We couldn't help but notice the shoe's similarity to ASICS Gel Kayano 5. Also, the shoe's deconstructed design reminded us of Margiela Fusion sneakers.

Best for street and casual wear

The Balenciaga Runner was first released on July 16, 2021. The Runner is part of the Balenciaga Winter 2021 collection. They are also part of the brand's continuing effort on product sustainability through lessening carbon footprint in the manufacturing process. 

As a brainchild of Demna Gvasalia, the Runner is conceptualized to be a sneaker that looks like they've been worn regularly for 30 years. This is amplified by deliberately put-together features such as:

• Glue marks and frayed edges all across the shoe. There are also leftover glue threads hanging off everywhere for a worn-out effect.
• A handwritten shoe size is present on the toe tip.
• Lace holes that extend all the way to the back but we recommend partially unlacing the shoe for an even more deconstructed and careless look.
• Mesh on lighter colorways has dirty spots as if oil was spilled on it.

Balenciaga Runner also takes inspiration from the '90s aesthetic mixed with the cut-paste sneaker trend of today. In his debut as a new model for the brand, Justin Bieber was seen donning the Runner for the Fall/Winter 2021 collection alongside French actress Isabelle Huppert, Isabelle Weldon Herouard, Anania Orgeas, and Awar Adhiero Odhiang.