Balenciaga's Tourist Sandal Isn't for Rookie Explorers

Demna‘s Balenciaga is a pioneer of the normcore trend, tapping into the seemingly mundane to produce subverted takes on the overlooked facets of fashion, in turn making them highly-desired designer goods. Take its thimble, Destroyed Stan Smith, soccer scarves, or the Crocs for example — each was once a familiar part of everyday life, until Balenciaga got its hands on them. The same can be said for the house’s latest shoe, the Tourist Sandal.

Drawing on the ugly sandals that are stereotypically worn by tourists — the kind that has guided tours with umbrellas pointing the way — Balenciaga now offers its take with a sporty update. The result is something quintessentially Demna with a hint of Teva, as the pair combines a familiar ergonomic-centric shape with its athletic-inspired house cues.

The pair is made up of three velcro straps, with the front toe piece bearing Balenciaga’s moniker, the second wearing the “Sporty B” logo, and the heel strap again seeing the brand’s name embroidered into it. Further branding works the ergonomic insole, while a final touch can be seen on the outsole.

This is where things get much sportier, as the sole unit looks like it’s been taken right off a ’90s running sneaker — again, feeding into Balenciaga’s now-signature aesthetic. Completing the shoe is the heavy use of technical materials, once more injecting a sense of athleticism into the design.

Balenciaga’s Tourist Sandal is available in white, black, red, khaki green or neon pink, and each retail for £495 GBP/$695 USD. Take a closer look at the pair above, and purchase yours in-store or online now.

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