Are you looking for a gift for someone who already has everything? Then you are in the right place. Balenciaga hoodie has announced the launch of a new line of sneakers that you can’t wear. The new shoes are only intended for the most avid sneaker fans or the super wealthy. In fact, it’s a silver brass sculpture of the Track.2 sneaker that will serve as a home decoration.
The release is the first from Balenciaga’s “Objects” collection, described as a capsule that spans “from collectible treasures to items for everyday use at home or on the go.” Essentially, they’re super-expensive add-ons. But this isn’t the first time Balenciag has released something outrageous; earlier this year the brand just released a pair of Vibram-heeled pointe shoes. View at your own risk. While not exactly practical, the sculpture is at least pleasing to the eye. Now you can own a pair of pristine condition sneakers forever. A modern Micaelangelo – We’re not sure if the inspiration for this shoe came from Cinderella or the Fantastic Four. Apparently, the sculpture is a tribute to the success of the luxury brand’s Track.2 sneaker collection. Balenciaga says the shoe, a European size 41, is made up of 16 brass moldings, each individually soldered together. They are then palladium-plated to give them a silvery shine.
While the sculpture doesn’t outweigh the real Track.2 sneakers, which are made up of 176 distinct parts, it does weigh 2.5 kilograms, or about 5.5 pounds, which is noticeably heavier than your average shoe. The molded sneakers are also handcrafted in Italy, not China.
Of course, this edition is limited to ensure exclusivity: only 20 of the Track.2 sculptures are available worldwide, and because every Kardashian and Jenner wants one, there are only 12 left. While these shoes aren’t suitable for work (and certainly not for walking), they’ll make the ultimate eye-catcher in your Zoom background. Buy Silver – The sculpture retails for $5,750, which is about six times the price of the original Track.2 sneakers, and is available now on Balenciaga’s website Honestly, you might as well just grab a pair of OG sneakers and a can of spray paint, at least that way you can wear this piece.
But this sculpture can be used for countless other things than just an expensive paperweight. If you’re short on cash one month, your landlord might be happy to accept it. Or you could put it next to your bed in case a burglar breaks in and you need to defend yourself. However, this shoe sculpture is not meant to be worn under any circumstances. Unless …
The biggest shoe companies compete to see who can make the sneakers with the least environmental impact. Adidas and Allbirds reign supreme, with a shared Futurecraft footprint that produces just 2.94kg of CO2e per pair. But Asics just took the title with the Gel-Lyte III CM 1.95, the shoe with the lowest carbon footprint ever achieved in a commercially available sneaker.
The Gel-Lyte III CM 1.95 has been in development for over a decade. Researchers and developers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology worked with ASICS designers to create the design. The midsole and insole are made from carbon-negative foam, in part made with Septon BioSeries, a bio-based sugarcane polymer. In line with ASICS’ goal to source 100% polyester from recycled sources by 2030, the upper and mesh are made from recycled and solution-dyed polyester.
A band of tape wraps around the upper, providing more structure while walking and running. With almost 1kg less CO2e emissions than Futurecraft.Footprint, the sustainable Gel-Lyte III “represents a blueprint that can be applied to all future products,” the brand says in the campaign video.
ASICS Efforts – For over a decade, ASICS and a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have made hundreds of micro- and macro-changes to the four main stages of the product: materials and manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal. Throughout the entire manufacturing phase, the brand has been able to use 100% renewable energy, further reducing its impact on the planet.
The idea behind the shoe is based on the idea that a healthy mind and body are inextricably linked. However, for these elements to live in harmony, healthy soil must be taken into account. Producing an average running shoe releases about 13 kg, or about 30 pounds, of carbon dioxide, and it takes about 30 to 40 years to decompose. Instead of creating an entirely new silhouette, the brand decided to rework one of its most popular models, the Gel-Lyte III, Asics sustainability specialist Takao Arai told Sneaker Freaker.
Asics will be releasing the Gel-Lyte III CM 1.95 to the public on its website later next year. We’ll have a closer look at the specs and look in the future, but Asics has already caught our attention.
THE PACER PHASE – Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a company that specializes in natural materials, helped create the shoe. According to a press release, the Pacer design reflects Allbirds’ “focus on developing products that reflect the consumer’s unique fashion sense and desire for versatility without sacrificing the sustainability for which Allbirds is known,” but the techno bros and dads who wear Allbirds aren’t. Not boasting a strong fashion sense, the sneaker oscillates between versatility and standard.
Could Allbirds get any better? – In recent years, Allbirds has tried to bolster its street cred through collaborations with more stylish brands and more innovative products. Points are awarded for the Pacer’s slightly creative wavy sole and sustainability push, but it’s unlikely to compete with better-looking, more environmentally conscious shoes. The shoe industry is doing everything it can to reduce its carbon footprint. Some are using exotic marine organisms, while others are taking inspiration from farmers’ markets to create shoes made from fruits and vegetables. Still, some experts say even the most sustainable materials can’t prevent waste.
You can shop the Pacer collection on the Allbirds website. Plant Pacers retail for about $135, compared to $110 for their canvas counterparts. It may not be the most fashionable, but anything aimed at long-term sustainability is worth a second look.
