In the luxury sneaker industry, Balenciaga stands out with its unique offerings. About a decade ago, the brand disrupted the fashion world with its bold sneaker models, known for their wild and creative designs.
Their sneakers are also memorable for their chunky, exaggerated silhouettes, often drawing from the “dad shoe” aesthetic, with influences ranging from classic running sneakers to rugged hiking-style footwear. Among the brand’s standout releases, the Balenciaga 3XL sneakers continue to be the most talked-about.
Renowned for blending luxury couture with a streetwear aesthetic, Balenciaga sneakers under creative director Demna Gvasalia have steadily become some of the most coveted footwear among sneaker enthusiasts.
If you are on the lookout to buy a pair of Balenciaga’s 3XL shoes, here’s a complete MAYFEYR review and whether they are still worth the hype.
The 3XL Origins
Debuting in the brand’s Summer 2023 collection, the Balenciaga 3XL sneakers are best defined by their oversized silhouette.
The exaggerated style draws inspiration from the 90s technical running shoes, and the idea behind the sneaker was to create a bold, statement-making sneakers that reflects the brand’s signature approach to proportion and streetwear-inspired luxury.
“I do not have any specific relationship with sneakers, it’s more the idea of the silhouette that I’m interested in,” Demna told GQ magazine in an interview. “My father used to make bootleg sneakers in Soviet Georgia when I was a kid, and I remember being fascinated seeing separate pattern pieces and soles everywhere in his workshop trying to figure out at a young age how those separate pieces can become a shoe.”
For Demna, a sneaker is almost like a three-dimensional sculpture around the foot and the foundation of a full silhouette. His relationship with sneakers, however, officially started way before 3XL with the debut of Balenciaga’s Triple S sneakers in its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection.
Before long, the Triple S was ubiquitous. After its success, the brand followed with the Speed sneakers in the Summer 2018 collection and the Track sneakers in Winter 2018. The outpouring of reviews and fascination with Balenciaga sneakers quickly earned the trust and attention of a global audience, eventually leading to the inception of the Balenciaga 3XL.
3XL Designs, Silhouettes & Features
The Balenciaga 3XL sneaker stands out thanks to its super wide silhouette, most notably its oversized, extended sole at the back. Designed to amplify the proportions of a traditional running shoe, the sneaker features a super wide shape, layered construction, and breathable technical mesh panels.
The distinct silhouette features an intentionally massive, wide, and low-profile design. The sneaker is engineered with a heavily panelled upper that mixes technical mesh and polyurethane materials, delivering both durability and breathability.
Meanwhile, the outsole is a thick, durable rubber sole designed with intricate textured detailing. Staying true to Balenciaga’s modern approach, the sneaker is also entirely leather free.
Like many other Balenciaga sneakers, the 3XL is also known for its thick, heavy laces, and some models even include a decorative or optional second pair. The tongue features the 3XL rubber branding with reflective detailing, while the back and tongue are equipped with pull-on tabs, also finished with reflective accents.
Perhaps the most eye-catching visual detail is the European size marking, embossed on the upper and at the back of the heel, alongside the Balenciaga logo printed at the edge of the toe and the back of the sneaker. The 3XL is also released in a melange of colourways, including distressed versions that evoke the look of vintage running sneakers.
Introduced only a few years ago and already released in multiple versions, the 3XL sneaker sits within Balenciaga’s expanding universe of oversized sneakers. The luxury fashion house later introduced the extreme 10XL and more recently the 6XL in 2024.
With its cult-status identity and comfortable design, the Balenciaga 3XL sneaker is worth the investment for those who want a bold statement piece that blends high-fashion aesthetics with streetwear functionality. Shop yours now only at MAYFEYR.
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