Balenciaga’s 10XL trainer has a big personality, and is the leather-free, bigger and lighter sibling of 3XL.

They say, the bigger the bags, the closer we are to the brink of an economic downturn. But what about shoes?

The Balenciaga 3XL trainer, as outrageous as it was captivating when it was first released, has a new sibling. Introduced in the Fall 2024 collection, the same one that took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles to Erewhon grocery bags and gym-rat styles, the 10XL trainer was first seen bolstering models in skinny tights.

Weighing at just shy of 2kg, it is a lightweight that functions more than one might think — thanks to the use of mesh materials and rubber. Playing on the archetypal gym footwear that has been further augmented into unbelievable proportions, its wayward shape pushes the brink as to what is wearable. And in some ways, also foretells that, perhaps, the limit for the enormous sneaker trend is never-ending. Is it truly Balenciaga if it was not made to shock?

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our May 2024 issue.