The Balenciaga sneaker model released in 2016 that became a cult hit was the Speed.
Often called the Speed Trainer, the shoe debuted in November 2016 during the early period of Demna Gvasalia’s leadership at Balenciaga. Its defining feature was a sock-like knitted upper that hugged the foot, paired with a thick, textured sole. The streamlined design contrasted sharply with the traditional appearance of luxury footwear.
The Speed quickly gained attention from celebrities, rappers, fashion editors, and sneaker enthusiasts. Retailers reported rapid sellouts, helping establish the sneaker as one of the defining luxury shoes of the late 2010s. Its popularity also helped normalize sock-like sneakers as a major fashion trend.
The model is sometimes confused with Balenciaga’s Triple S, which became famous for its deliberately oversized, layered running-shoe shape. The Track followed later with a more technical, multi-panel design. The Speed was the earlier minimalist sock sneaker.