Balenciaga Takes Cues From the Outdoor Shoe Market With New Hike Sneaker

Balenciaga is the latest luxury label to take inspiration from the outdoor footwear market.

Launching today, the new Hike Sneaker is the newest addition to the house’s lineup of directional sports-inspired footwear.

This new style, rooted in outdoor performance footwear, distorts and reimagines elements characteristic of technical hiking shoes to create a fresh take on an archetypal style. Its rugged, layered midsole and outsole, defined by prominent lugs, provide traction and comfort for all terrains.

Plus, adjustable pull-cord fastenings at the front and back—a first for Balenciaga footwear—secure the slip-on design, while a lightweight structure and technical gradient mesh ensure optimal breathability.

This launch comes as an increasing number of luxury brands seek to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts with footwear options to meet their lifestyles. Brands like Loro Piana, Zegna, Gucci and more have either collaborated with outdoor brands or launched their own collections to expand their offerings.

But for Balenciaga, this new sneaker is just the latest in the brand’s strategy to create attention-grabbing fashion items including the Circuit, Reptile and 6XL sneakers.

Another recent eye-catching shoe model from the Demna-led fashion house is the five-toed Anatomic Runner, which further delves into the unexpected — although it’s not the first time Balenciaga has released this kind of design.

After formally working with Vibram on Five Fingers-inspired “Toe” footwear in 2020, Balenciaga is returning to the concept for fall 2025, but this time it’s doing it in house. The same fall ’25 collection also teased the barefoot Zero shoe.

The Balenciaga Hike Sneaker, which retails for $1,275, is now available in three colorways – red/black, beige/orange and all-black – at Balenciaga stores worldwide and on balenciaga.com.