For decades, Balenciaga shoes has proud itself on being made in Italy, with some of its shoes pairs also made in France.
However, in 2018, production of the street style favorite’s Triple S sneakers moved to China. This immediately sparked controversy. The common perception is that products produced in China are of lower quality, but Balenciaga explains that “shoe manufacturers are being moved to China [because] they have the technology and capabilities to produce lighter shoes”.
Don’t let this scare you: Balenciaga doesn’t mean to arrive in Italy ! Quite the opposite. In 2020, the fashion house, which is part of the Kering group, announced that they would open their first leather goods production factory in Italy.
The factory is located in Cerreto Guidi, a small town west of Florence, and will expand Balenciaga’s production. “The future opening of this new item production will create more than 300 jobs,” The brand says, “mainly from the local and regional community, with a special focus on the unemployed.” Employees will be trained at an in-house training center.
How do Balenciaga sneakers fit?
In addition to how much Balenciaga shoes cost, are Balenciaga sizes large or small?
Here’s everything you need to know about Balenciaga shoe sizing.
- Balenciaga uses European sizing.
- Balenciaga sneakers are available in full sizes: men’s EU 39 to EU 47 (US 6 to US 14) and women’s EU 34 to EU 42 (US 4 to US 12).
- Balenciaga oversized sneakers, such as the Triple S, tend to be a little larger than usual. If you are in between sizes, we recommend going down a size.
- Balenciaga Speed sneakers fit like socks: comfortable and snug. If you have wide feet and are in between sizes, you may want to go up a size. Otherwise, please choose your normal size.
How much do Balenciaga shoes cost?
Balenciaga charges up to $3,250 for a pair of shoes: the 3D 110MM Pump, made with 3D printed rubber, is the French brand’s most expensive style, while the Pool Slide sandal (which retails for $325 on the brand’s website) is the cheapest.
What’s the reason behind these crazy price tags? It comes down to a few simple factors.
Here’s why Balenciaga is so expensive:
- Most Balenciaga products are made in Italy, where the brand will soon open a new factory to train employees and provide workers with fair, livable wages. The Triple S and Track sneakers are the only ones made in China and feature lighter, more expensive soles.
- Balenciaga uses only the top quality materials and the most innovative and latest technologies, such as 3D printed rubber, 3D knitting and rubber with “No Memory” technology.
- Balenciaga is very comfortable! Despite running a bit large, the signature chunky sneaker is lightweight and the Speed sneakers fit like a pair of socks: a memory foam sole provides extra cushioning and adapts to the shape of the foot.
- Balenciaga is a luxury status symbol. When you buy Balenciaga, you’re buying exclusivity. This comes with a higher price tag!
