Is The Balenciaga Triple S Really Worth The Hefty Price Point?

One of the most covetable sneakers in the luxury market, the Balenciaga Triple S (that means triple sole, who knew?!) defies seasonal trends and looks to premium craftsmanship, sleek fabrics and timeless colourways to deliver a shoe that isn't going out of style anytime soon. But is that enough to justify the hefty £600 price tag? We’re going to look at this sneaker from top to bottom to see if it really is worth your hard-earned money.

Arguably the shoe that kicked off the chunky trainer trend in 2017, the Balenciaga Triple S has divided opinion since its debut on the runway. With some dubbing it an instant icon and others labelling it an abomination, as years have passed, more and more sneakerheads are turning to the Triple S to fulfil their chunky trainer craving. The triple-black colourway sells out almost instantly after every restock and fans wait on tenterhooks for the next drop, clicking every “Notify Me When Back in Stock” button they can.

Destined for greatness from the off, the Triple S was designed by Demna Gvasalia and David Tourniaire-Beauciel – who counts Givenchy and Maison Margiela as past collaborators. Gvasalia and Tourniaire-Beauciel took the sole moulds of a running shoe, basketball shoe and track shoe, then combined the three to create a multi-purpose platform that fused functionality with statement style to deliver a sneaker like never before seen. The platform stands at 6.5cm tall and is what gives this pair its globally known name.

After years of minimalist trainers like the adidas Stan Smiths and the Nike Air Force 1 stealing the limelight, the Balenciaga Triple S came along and gave a lesson in maximalism. Challenging the ‘less is more’ notion, the three-sole finish, multi-textured upper and difficult-to-miss laces work in perfect harmony to deliver a pair of sneakers that nods to high fashion and street style in equal measure – but the pared-back colourways and sophisticated palette make them wearable. Finally bridging the gap between luxury-fashion houses and high-street labels, the Balenciaga Triple S paved the way for more premium-sportswear collaborations like Dior x Jordan, Prada x adidas and Louis Vuitton x Supreme. Ultimately, the Triple S was the “cool kid” on the block that was brave enough to go where no premium brand had been before.

One of the main reasons the Balenciaga Triple S has such a steep price point is the fabrication. Made from smooth suede and premium leather, the mesh is meticulously crafted to ensure ventilation – because let’s be real, things get a bit warm when you’re wearing sneaks this heavy. Each and every stitch, like the embroidery on the logo, is checked to ensure it meets the brand’s incredibly high standards and the shoes are presented with a branded dust bag to store them in and keep them safe from dirt and scratches.

While there are other staple chunky trainers on the market right now – like the Yeezy Boost 700 and Nike's lover price point options such as the M2K Tekno – none quite have the same outrageously oversized look as the Balenciaga Triple S. Having successfully dodged the dreaded “dad shoe” label, the Triple S is currently celebrating its third year at the top of the sneaker must-haves list and, if anything, momentum is growing thanks to A-listers such as Quavo, Pharrell and Bella Hadid.

While they won’t rake in the cash at resale, perhaps due to the lack of “hypebeasts” buying into the success of the silhouette, the Triple S hold their value thanks to the durability of the composition. The thickness of the sole means it doesn’t show wear quickly and the rubber finish makes it easy to clean. The suede upper is far enough from the ground to dodge any dirt and the utility-style laces are effortless to keep squeaky clean. So, you may be spending £600 on some sneaks, but in years to come their versatility and timelessness will ensure they’ll still be worth that pretty hefty price tag, evidence of which can be found on eBay if you have a little gander.

Whether the triple-black colourway is your thing or you’re more inclined to go for beige, one thing’s for sure: the Balenciaga Triple S aren’t going anywhere any time soon, and that £600 will pay itself off thanks to the extra-long lifespan of these essential creps.

If you're looking to invest in a pair of the ultra-covetable Balenciaga Triple S, you can find the latest colourways over at Selfridges or Mr Porter.