Our verdict

74
Bad!

Out of all the uniquely fab Balenciaga kicks on the market, the Phantom arguably comes with the fewest gimmicks. This kind of approach, however, doesn't dumb down its appeal, because its simplicity and almost-ASICS-like design are what sneakerheads rave mostly about. Its comfiness, which a vlogger describes as "very therapeutic," is quite sumptuous, too, and it just might be enough to make you overlook its skyscraper of an asking price.

Pros

  • Stellar comfort level
  • Astonishing fit
  • Stunning-yet-grounded style
  • Who should buy the Balenciaga Phantom
  • More adorable in person
  • Doesn’t make feet look chunky
  • A misshapen experience

Cons

  • Ridiculously expensive
  • Has a problem with symmetry

Who should buy the Balenciaga Phantom

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  • You're planning to pull off a classy and understated look.
  • Designer sneakers are what you collect, especially those that aren't heavy.
  • You prefer kicks that look even more gorgeous up close than in photos.

Who should not buy it

If the luxurious price of the Phantom turns you off, check out the ASICS Gel-Mc Plus Balenciaga Phantom: Simply elegant Who should not buy it Who should not buy it.

Comfort that lasts all day

The Balenciaga Phantom has dreamy confines, and many reviewers agree. A professional blogger among them calls it "a comfortable designer shoe." A regular commenter, on the other hand, describes it as "incredibly comfortable."

The Phantom's spot-on fit

Based on reviews written by critics, the Balenciaga Phantom's interior hugs the foot just right. Backing this statement are comments such as "these fit really nice" and "these fit perfectly."

A game changer in the weight department

One of the surprising aspects of the Balenciaga Phantom is its lightness. A footwear pundit says that it's "actually pretty light in comparison to some of the other Balenciaga sneakers." A sneaker fan shares the same observation, stating that the shoe in question is considerably lighter when "most designer shoes tend to be overweight."

Balenciaga Phantom: Simply elegant

Reviewers are drawn to the beauty of the Balenciaga Phantom. "I think these are absolutely stunning, to be honest," says a gear vlogger. Another one says that the featured running-inspired kick is "so adorable!"

On a related note: Sneakerheads find its appeal more intense in the actual. A sneaker journalist says, "these Look 10 times better in real life." Another reviewer says, "they look a lot better in person."

Can turn your wallet into a ghost town

With its hefty list price of $850 per pair, the Phantom isn't exactly for the masses. To put things into perspective, running sneakers average at $128, making the Balenciaga offering $722 more expensive. In the realm of designer shoes, however, the Phantom, believe it or not, sits on the cheaper side of the pricing spectrum.

Resilience is the Phantom's middle name

It's been reported that the Balenciaga Phantom, despite its mostly mesh construction, is quite durable. It "doesn’t feel flimsy at all," says a seasoned footwear reviewer.

Sleeker than you think

Despite its chunky profile, the Phantom has a slimming effect on the foot. "My foot looks small," says a female sneaker fan in total delight.

A misshapen experience

There are those who don't fancy the bumpy silhouette of the Phantom, particularly when viewed from an overhead angle. A commenter said that, in his Phantoms, "nothing was symmetrical."