Balenciaga Skipped the Collab and Just Made a Croc
Brand: Balenciaga
Season: Fall/Winter 2022
Model: HD Sneaker
Release: TBD
Editor's Notes: Balenciaga is a loud and proud Crocs fan, as evidenced by its many collaborations with the clog giant. Still, the French maison seems to have snubbed the king of casual shoes with its latest sneaker, the HD.
Initially unveiled at Balenciaga's FW22 runway show, the HD isn't officially co-signed by Crocs — but it looks pretty darn similar to the company's hole-y footwear.
Essentially a rubber sneaker with cut-out paneling, the HD is pretty much half Croc, half Merrell Hydro Moc. Despite its likeness to both brands' waterproof shoes (as well as the Nike x Lego Bionicle), Balenciaga's latest does bear some trace of Demna.
Its sole is similar to that of Balenciaga's Mold Closed slip-on, another rubber creation. And just like the iconic Triple S, the toe of the HD bears the shoe's size.
But without the official Crocs sign-off, the sneaker loses the playfulness of Balenciaga's previous experimentations in plastic, most recently its Crocs Pool Slide and its Crocs handbag. Instead, the HD is just a piece of hyper-expensive rubber.
