Balenciaga Race Runners Sneakers in Prune Purple Review
You recently just saw my Balenciaga Race Runners in this outfit post, in which I said I would be doing a review on them for you soon, so here it is. I originally bought these at Farfetch as I had a decent discount code so could afford them finally! I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with the Race Runners as they are one of the brand’s most famous shoes, combining Demna Gvasalia’s signature touch with a dose of urban glamour. They feature panels crafted from metallic leather, while the mesh and elastic are united by a chic purple colour palette. The streamlined sole disguises a wedge heel – perfect for giving your legs that extra boost they need as well! So, my review on these sneakers is below and I’m sure you can tell that I absolutely love them!
The Sizing
I found these Balenciaga Race Runners to run quite small in comparison to how US or UK shoes fit. But very true to size for a European brand. As an example, in the UK and US, I’m always a 39 most of the time, but in European shoes, I’m regularly a 40. I took a 40 in these and they actually fit quite snug and just right. There’s no way I could have fitted into a 39 at all, so go with your normal Italian size or size up one if you’re used to the normal UK and US sizes. If that helps? I was quite surprised with how small they run though as I’m never usually a tight 40. But, Adam does have these in his usual size of 42 and they fit him just fine, so I don’t know if it’s just the women’s.
The Comfort
At first I wasn’t sure if these would be comfortable as I put them on with no socks and I could feel my little toe against the inside of the shoe, and the insole seemed quite hard as it’s leather (with a rubber sole), however that was completely put to bed when I tried them with socks and wore them out. They are SO comfortable! I didn’t feel any pain, no rubbing, no discomfort, my feet didn’t ache, and they soften up with wear. They’re actually quite bouncy and springy on your feet, so I understand where the term Race Runners come from. I think you could run in these and be ok! Not that I would want to do that as they might ruin, but they’re definitely comfortable and easy to wear, so much so that I wore them for almost the entire day and didn’t want to take them off.
The Design & Colour
This was what attracted me to the Balenciaga Race Runners in the first place. I have always been a fan of the sporty shoe look, especially when they’re pointy and sleek like these are, but never really purchased any because of the price. Luckily, with my discount, that made things easier. These are made from a mixture of leather, elastic, rubber, and neoprene. I love how they mix the materials together, so the front is a mesh fabric, it has an elastic strap over the top, then metallic panels on the sides, the heel is also metallic, and the actual part you slip your foot into is an elastic sock. The laces are really just aesthetically and for show, so you slip the shoes on by pulling them instead as they stretch out, which makes them even more comfortable!
They aren’t even branded heavily either, just a stamp of Balenciaga on the rubber sole side and the very back of the shoe. I LOVE that about them, just sleek, sophisticated and classy. The sole itself is 1 inch, so they do give you some height, and because they’re so pointed and stylish, they do lengthen your legs as well. The official designer colour is called Prune, but it’s a mixture of different shades of purple, both metallic and matte, as well as black – as you can see. It’s literally the most gorgeous and beautiful colour combination on a shoe I have ever seen! Especially for sneakers! As soon as I got them out of the box I was in love with them and was going to make them work even if they didn’t fit, ha ha!
The Versatility
As this Prune purple colour is so bold and bright, I wasn’t sure how versatile they would be because they don’t go with everything. I was considering getting the black pair as they would be easy to style with all of my outfits (trying to be practical) but I just loved this purple colour and thought it was better to get the ones I wanted. These are seasonal so once they’re gone, they’re gone, whereas the black are available all the time (thankfully!). I actually have found these easy to style though, they go really well with my black and grey skinny jeans, with my leather jackets, my purple coat etc, which I am happy about, so I would consider them a lot more versatile than I originally thought!
Overall Opinion
My overall opinion of these Balenciaga Race Runners is one of complete happiness! I would actually give them 10/10 for a sneaker based on design, comfort and everything else. I love them! They’re that good that I am hoping to start saving up for the black pair next year so I can wear them with other outfits too since the Prune doesn’t go with everything. If you are uncertain on getting a pair yourself, I definitely recommend them to you as they’re so easy to wear, super comfortable, and amazingly beautiful to look at! They’re stunning! If you have any questions, just comment below and let me know!
Shop These Balenciaga Race Runners at:
NET-A-PORTER | My Theresa | Farfetch | Browns | Barney’s
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I think they are amazing very very nice!
Author
Thank you!
Oh I love them too! The purple with black and white is such a stylish combination. I’ve been wanting a pair too, but can’t make up my mind about in which color I’d like them in. Have a lovely weekend! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Author
I know, there’s so many combinations to choose from! You will love them though!
They’re terrific. 🙂 As I always say, I love the colour purple – second only to green. 😀 It’s great that you’ll be able to wear them with so many different things. “Prune” is an interesting name choice for the colour though… Maybe the hard bit that you felt inside the shoe was the prune stone? 😉
Author
Ha, it might well have been a layer of pounded prune stones 😀 I didn’t think the colour is very accurate to a prune though, I would have said more like magenta lol!
Yes, I think I agree with you on magenta. Not just a better description but also a prettier name to market it with, I’d have thought. 🙂
Author
You’d think so given what prunes are associated with 😀
These are so cool!! Like jeans, you can never have enough shoes…haha 🙂 I love the color!
xo Lana
http://www.decadentdissonance.com
Author
That’s so true 😀
It seems much too bright to be called “Prune,” but hey, it’s their shoe. What I want to see, someday, is someone demonstrating those fake laces. Just the thought of them brings me grins.
Author
I know, I thought magenta would have been more fitting!
Oh the laces work, you can undo them and untie them etc, just the shoes slip on as they’re elasticated so the laces don’t make them tighter or looser, if that makes sense?
I love the colour on these, I can see why you’d fall in love right away! 🙂 It’s great to hear they are so comfortable, even on the first wear too! It’s so annoying when you have to break in shoes before you can wear them!
Thanks for sharing your review 🙂
Hope you are having a lovely weekend 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Author
Thank you so much, Mica! Really glad you love them! 😀
Oh darling I join the crowd saying these shoes are great. I just question that the greatest dress designer of the 20th Century Cristobal Balenciaga has his name on sneakers . Check out my blog post on Balenciaga!! Leave a comment thanks !
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Author
Thank you! So pleased you like them!
Those sneakers are everything….#showstoppers
http://www.comfycozyup.com
Author
Thank you!
These shoes are amazing, I love the colour!
Author
I’m glad!
I LOVE those sneakers! They are absolutely amazing. So excited to read that they’re comfy too! Yay!
~Lindsey
https://have-clothes-will-travel.com/
Author
So glad you love them too!
This is such a lovely color dear. The design is also on point. Really lovely rubber shoes.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
Thank you!
These are so cool! They look so comfy! 🙂 And I really love the color!
Thank you for sharing this great review with us, dear. Wish you a wonderful day! 🙂
<3
http://www.whatsupivy.com
Author
Glad you liked it!
I love how sneakers can be so stylish now!! And these are totally cool!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
Thank you!
These are way too cool!!!
Federica
http://www.federicadinardo.com
Author
Glad you like them!
They look comfy. 🙂
Shoot for the stars
Author
They are! 🙂
Wow Lorna! These race runners really are a thing of beauty, and a work of art! I love the different panels, textures and shades of purple, and they look incredibly well-made. It’s great that they’re proving to be more versatile than you expected too! As they’re comfortable, hopefully you’ll get to wear them a lot! Thanks so much for sharing your considered opinion!
Lots of love Saba xx
http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.com
Author
Thank you, Saba! So glad you always enjoy my reviews! They really are a work of art!
Hi Lorna, thank you for checking on me, life is busy as usual xox… I love these sneakers, the color, the way the laces look invisible and that they have a little heel… for some reason I take a bigger size in sneakers then I do in dress shoes, so I always go up a size… I like to make sure they are very comfortable. xox
Author
That’s a good idea to always go up a size!