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Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga is not finished with the chunky dad sneaker trend as it has just dropped its latest silhouette: the Runner.Available in triple black, all white, or a standout “White/Dark Red/Grey/Black” iteration, the sneaker follows on from recent new styles such as the X-Pander and various takes on its Track Sneaker. Like the X-Pander, the Runner is a much-needed elevation following the house’s transition into producing incredibly popular sneakers such as the Triple S, serving up a silhouette that’s very much a sign of the times while paying attention to what has made its styles so successful.With this in mind, the Runner is made from nylon and mesh (meaning it’s leather-free) and comes with a worn-out effect regardless of the colorway. This is most notably seen on the white colorway, which adds discoloration to the toe box, sole unit, and sporadically on the upper.Quintessential Balenciaga details can be found all around, from the sizing on the heel to the sizing on the toe that looks like it’s been penned on with a marker. The same can be said for the “runner” logo on the midsole which is also finished in a marker-like style, while Balenciaga’s moniker appears frequently in various forms. For example, it graces the tongue as a piece of embroidery on the mesh, additionally as a “B” logo on a plaque underneath the distressed rope laces, on the vamp as a stamp on the nylon, on the heel as another piece of “B” branding, on the heel clip in full, and finally, on the lateral rear-quarter-side of the sole unit.Despite this, the Runner doesn’t feel busy. Instead, it’s one of Balenciaga’s most thought-out sneakers to date, tapping into chunky dad shoe trends, running shoes of the ’90s, and also that dystopian futuristic undertone that continues to prevail in the label’s collections.Having just dropped this morning, the Balenciaga Runner is in stock in all sizes and colors on Balenciaga’s website right now. It costs £785 GBP (approx. $1,077 USD).In case you missed it, check out HYPEBEAST’s interview with Rick Owens in which he discusses his upcoming Converse collaboration.

Following its lawsuits against bootleggers, Nike is now setting its sights on sneaker customizers. According to reports, Nike recently filed a lawsuit against Customs By Ilene, Inc., better known as Drip Creationz, alleging that the name of trademark infringement, dilution and counterfeiting.Official documents note that Nike has launched claims that Drip Creationz has profited off of “knockoff Air Force 1-style shoes” that infringe on its trademark and signature Swoosh logo. Additionally, the sportswear giant is also pointing out poor craftsmanship with “crooked proportions, messy stitching, cheap details, and [are] taller than the real Air Force 1 shoes.” Highlighting how Drip Creationz deconstructs its Air Force 1 sneakers, replacing and adding new materials with unauthorized designs that could lead to market confusion that affects its ability “to choose who it collaborates with, which colorways it releases, and what message its designs convey.”It is important to note that Nike stated, “it has no desire to limit the individual expression of creatives and artisans, many of whom are some of Nike’s biggest fans.” Though it “cannot allow ‘customizers’ like Drip Creationz to build a business on the backs of its most iconic trademarks, undermining the value of those marks and the message they convey to consumers.Weary of how it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish authorized Nike products from unauthorized customs, Nike is looking to receive monetary damages and an injunction that would stop Drip Creationz from selling any more Air Force 1 customs.For more footwear news, Virgil Abloh is giving away signed Off-White™ x Converse Chuck 70 HIs for charity.

Following the release of the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 “Smoke Grey,” the sportswear giant debuts a new addition to its GORE-TEX lineup with the Nike Air Force 1 GORE-TEX “Escape.” The silhouette takes on a similar earth-toned colorway as the Air Huarache “Escape” from 2003, which saw a return back in April of this year.Starting off with a base of tan and white mesh rolled onto the toe boxes and lateral panels, shades of olive green and forest green take the overlays and a black Swoosh strikes the quarters. Pops of blood orange detail the “Nike Air” and GORE-TEX logos on the tongues as well as the heel tabs. The design is capped off with a sail-colored midsole flecked with black that recalls the Pegasus Trail 2 and sealed with a black rubber outsole. Like the other drops from the roster, the sneaker is coated in Nike’s GORE-TEX waterproof technology.Look out for the Nike Air Force 1 GORE-TEX “Escape” release which retails for $150 USD at select retailers and Nike’s website.In other related news, Nike Space Hippie 04 arrives with a “Light Bone” makeover.