With their chunky heels, heavy-duty laces and Gore-Tex fabric, you would be forgiven for thinking these trainers were designed for hiking across rugged terrain.
But in fact the retro trainers are the latest high-end offering from French fashion house Balenciaga – and will set you back £550.
The designer brand is hoping the ‘Track’ will replicate the success of its ‘dad’ style Triple S trainer, which has sold out several times since its release last year.
French fashion house Balenciaga will launch its £550 Track trainers, pictured, next month. They are likely to be a future cult favourite and fans have to book an appointment to shop
The designer trainers look like walking shoes with chunky heels, heavy-duty laces and Gore-Tex fabric, pictured. The shoes also boast flourescent trims that fit with the Eighties revival
The trainer goes on sale exclusively at Selfridges London on September 3 but fashion fans will not be able to simply stroll into the store and pick up a pair.
Instead they must register their interest on a dedicated website, select their chosen products ahead of time and book a time-slot to collect them in person.
Given the highly-anticipated launch, it is perhaps unsurprising that time-slots on the Monday 3 and the morning of Tuesday 4 are already fully booked.
Speaking to Vogue, Sebastian Manes, Selfridges buying and merchandising director, explained the registration helps ‘eliminate queues and customer dissatisfaction’.
Hard to get: Shoppers must register their interest on a dedicated website, pictured, select their chosen products ahead of time and book a time-slot to collect them in person
He continued: ‘Balenciaga sneakers have been one of the most in-demand pieces of footwear since last year. Every time we restock the Triple S, it sells out within hours thanks to a growing waiting list.
‘Our clients can’t wait to see what’s next from [creative director] Demna Gvasalia – he has truly reinvented the house for the modern day woman and man.’
The Track, unveiled at Balenciaga’s A/W18 presentation in Paris in March, builds on the ‘hi-tech, turbo template of the Triple S, but puts functionality at its core’, Vogue notes.
The designer brand is hoping the ‘Track’ will replicate the success of its ‘dad’ style Triple S trainer, pictured, which has sold out several times since its release last year
The chunky style, flourescent accents and Eighties-inspired shape will likely make them a hit with style insiders.
However its boundary-pushing designs have occasionally fallen flat with shoppers.
The cult favourite Triple S was criticised by some who compared them to pre-worn PE trainers, while others thought they looked like Sketchers.
Last year Balenciaga released the £1,6400 ($2,145) ‘Arena Extra-Large Shopper Tote Bag’ which social media users said looked just like an Ikea shopping bag.
Bold: Last year Balenciaga released the £1,6400 ($2,145) ‘Arena Extra-Large Shopper Tote Bag’, pictured, which social media users said looked just like an Ikea shopping bag
Inspiration? The Ikea tote, pictured, look strikingly similar to the one produced by the designer