The Balenciaga Basketball sneaker is now available in stores, offering sneaker enthusiasts worldwide the French luxury house’s take on late 1990s basketball footwear. Following its debut at Paris Fashion Week, the futuristic silhouette has been highly anticipated for months. It represents Demna Gvasalia’s latest exploration of athletic footwear through a high-fashion lens.
The sneaker unmistakably draws inspiration from Nike’s iconic Foamposite technology, particularly the Air Flightposite model. Its polyurethane shell construction and zippered closure system mirror the technical innovations that defined basketball footwear during the late ’90s and early 2000s. However, Balenciaga has reimagined these elements with exaggerated proportions that push the boundaries of conventional sneaker design.
The silhouette features a distinctly bulbous profile with an upward-curving toe and sides that appear to strain against their seams. These proportions create a deliberately uncomfortable aesthetic that challenges traditional notions of athletic footwear while maintaining the core DNA of basketball shoe construction.
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Currently available in three distinct colorways, the Balenciaga Basketball sneaker caters to various style preferences. The black iteration provides a monochromatic foundation, while the metallic blue variant pays homage to Penny Hardaway’s original Air Foamposite One, clearly nodding to basketball history. The silver and black combination creates a contemporary aesthetic that aligns with current streetwear trends.
The shoe is constructed using a leather-free approach that incorporates polyester, spandex, polyurethane, Lycra, and nylon. This material composition supports the brand’s recent sustainability initiatives while maintaining the structural integrity necessary for the shoe’s distinctive shape. The rubber sole features foam insole technology for comfort; however, these sneakers are designed for fashion-conscious consumers rather than for court performance.
Abandoning traditional lacing systems entirely, the Basketball sneaker uses a zipper closure concealed beneath a hook-and-loop fastener flap. This design choice eliminates the need for shoelaces while providing secure foot retention. The closure system is reminiscent of the innovative approach to basketball shoe construction seen in the Air Flightposite during an era when brands experimented with alternative fastening methods.
The sizing extends to European size 45, which converts to US size 12, and can accommodate most foot sizes within the target demographic. The brand’s signature size stamps are prominently placed on the heel and toe, serving functional and aesthetic purposes.
With a retail price of $1,550, the Basketball sneaker is firmly in the realm of luxury fashion. It launched through Balenciaga’s official e-commerce platform and select retail locations worldwide. Following the brand’s typical distribution model, the release prioritizes direct-to-consumer sales through official channels before expanding to authorized retailers.