Balenciaga’s luxury shoe dominance seems to continue unabated with the introduction of its Track.3 sneaker, the third main entry in the Track shoe series.
Featuring a layered upper of stunning complexity, Balenciaga’s Track sneakers have been remixed endlessly since their release a few years ago.
Along with the endless rollout of new colorways, updates range from LED light accents to furry lining – the original Track sneaker even got cut into not one but two different sandal styles.
The second main Balenciaga Track sneaker – the aptly named Track 2 – featured an equally dynamic upper design fitted with over 170 different parts and proved so successful that Balenciaga honored it with a $5,750 silver sculpture. as one of his first objects.
That brings us to Balenciaga’s Track.3, the third mainline Track sneaker, rolling out as part of Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
Priced at $895, the Balenciaga Track.3 is one of the house’s more understated silhouettes, devoid of much of the high-tech thrift that adorns Balenciaga’s Phantom sneaker and other runners from retro inspired.
Instead, Balenciaga’s Track.3 sports a mesh and nylon upper – it’s vegan, like all other Balenciaga Track shoes – with European shoe sizing sketched on the toe.
The more minimalist panels at the top of the Balenciaga Track.3 belie the new detail: faux deconstruction.
Reflecting the distressing FW22 trend, Balenciaga’s new shoe is pre-scuffed, with rips, tears and midsole wear already applied to the shoe before it even lands on the feet.
Balenciaga has yet to reach Margiela Fusion levels of deconstruction, but the Track.3 is certainly not for the faint-hearted, with all the missing pieces in its heel and upper.
The Track.3 is probably a bit lighter than its predecessors, thanks to that less detailed upper.
Although it comes in classic black, the Track.3 looks best – IMHO – in flashy blue, pink and beige tones, the shoe’s first colorways.
