Balenciaga vs. Skechers: Which brand is better? [2026]

Balenciaga is an avant-garde luxury fashion house known for its provocative, high-fashion statement footwear that comes with a premium price tag, starting around $800. In contrast, Skechers is a global mainstream brand that prioritizes everyday comfort, practicality, and affordability, with most of its shoes priced under $120.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right footwear brand for your style and budget.

Balenciaga: The Leader in Avant-Garde Luxury

Balenciaga is a high-end fashion house synonymous with cutting-edge design and fashion world influence. The brand appeals to trendsetters and luxury consumers who view footwear as a form of art and self-expression. Balenciaga is not just selling a shoe, it's selling an exclusive, high-status piece of runway culture defined by oversized silhouettes and unique materials.

• Product mix: Ready-to-wear clothing, iconic handbags, accessories, and a major emphasis on statement sneakers that often become industry-defining trends.
• Price point: Firmly in the luxury category. Sneakers typically start around $800 and can easily exceed $1,200, while handbags and boots can cost several thousand dollars.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes premium leathers, complex technical fabrics, and experimental materials. The craftsmanship is meticulous, reflecting the high price point and focus on creating long-lasting luxury goods.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, provocative, and avant-garde. Known for chunky sneakers like the iconic Triple S, exaggerated silhouettes, and prominent branding that is instantly recognizable.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size, though many designs are intentionally created to have an oversized or chunky look. Consulting the official size guide before purchasing is highly recommended.

Balenciaga is the definitive choice for fashion-forward individuals seeking exclusive, high-concept footwear that makes a bold and unmistakable style statement.

Shop Balenciaga: balenciaga.com

Skechers: The Champion of Everyday Comfort

Skechers has built a massive global presence by focusing on accessible, casual, and comfortable footwear. The brand targets a wide demographic of men, women, and children who prioritize functionality and foot support for daily life. Skechers excels at creating reliable, easy-to-wear shoes for walking, casual outings, and light fitness activities.

• Product mix: An extensive range of shoes including sporty sneakers, walking shoes, casual slip-ons, sandals, and work footwear. Strong emphasis on comfort technologies like memory foam insoles.
• Price point: Highly accessible and budget-friendly. The vast majority of sneakers fall within the $50 to $120 range, offering excellent value.
• Quality & Materials: Focused on practicality and comfort using materials like lightweight mesh uppers, flexible rubber outsoles, and signature cushioned insoles. The construction is durable for everyday wear.
• Style & Aesthetic: Casual, sporty, and versatile. The designs are mainstream and focused on classic silhouettes that are approachable rather than trend-setting.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for offering consistent and straightforward sizing. Many styles are available in wide fits, accommodating a variety of foot shapes with ease.

Skechers' core strength lies in its ability to deliver dependable comfort and functionality at a price point nearly everyone can afford, making it a go-to for practical daily footwear.

Shop Skechers: skechers.com

Balenciaga vs. Skechers Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between these two brands is the most significant factor. Balenciaga operates solely in the luxury market, with sneakers averaging between $800 and $1,200. This price reflects the brand's designer status, high-quality materials, intricate construction, and powerful brand image. You are paying for a piece of high fashion designed by a celebrated creative director.

In contrast, Skechers is built on affordability and accessibility. With prices ranging from $50 to $120, it targets the mass market. The cost provides excellent value for a comfortable, durable shoe intended for everyday use. There is no overlap in pricing, making the choice between them a clear budgetary decision.

Quality & Materials

Balenciaga uses premium materials chosen for their aesthetic impact, texture, and luxury feel. This can include calfskin leather, high-tech mesh composites, and dense, multi-layered rubber soles designed to be visually dramatic. The construction is complex and designed to last as a luxury item.

Skechers focuses on materials that enhance comfort and reduce weight. This means you will find a lot of engineered mesh for breathability, memory foam for cushioning, and flexible rubber for easy walking. While durable for regular activities, the materials are not intended to compete with the high-end components used in luxury footwear.

Style & Aesthetic

The style of these two brands could not be more different. Balenciaga is defined by its avant-garde, trend-setting aesthetic that often plays with proportion and deconstruction. Its chunky, oversized "dad sneakers" redefined modern luxury footwear, and its appeal lies in being bold, recognizable, and at the forefront of fashion.

Skechers offers a timeless, familiar, and functional style. Their designs are classic looks aimed at broad appeal - think straightforward walking shoes and sporty, casual sneakers. The brand's aesthetic is built around being easy to wear with anything and suitable for a wide range of everyday scenarios rather than making a high-fashion statement.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands generally offer true-to-size fits, but their design intentions differ. Balenciaga's chunky sneakers are meant to look and feel substantial and oversized, which is part of their aesthetic. It is always best to refer to their specific sizing charts, as the unique construction can affect feel.

Skechers is known for a consistent and comfortable fit across its product lines. The brand excels at providing options, including wide widths for many of its most popular styles. This makes finding a secure and comfortable fit predictable and easy for most shoppers.

Shopping Experience

Purchasing from Balenciaga is a luxury experience. Their boutiques offer high-touch service, and their website is minimalist and chic, showcasing products like pieces in a gallery. The experience is curated and exclusive.

Skechers provides a much more accessible and direct shopping experience. Their products are available in thousands of retail locations globally, including department stores, their own branded outlets, and a user-friendly website that frequently features sales and promotions.

Which One Should You Choose?

These two brands serve entirely different purposes, so the right choice depends on your priorities, style, and budget.

Choose Balenciaga if:

• You view footwear as a high-fashion statement and a form of personal expression.
• Your budget comfortably accommodates luxury prices of $800 or more for a single pair of shoes.
• You want a unique, trend-setting design that is instantly recognizable and makes a bold impact.
• Brand prestige, exclusivity, and innovative design are your top priorities.

Choose Skechers if:

• All-day comfort is what you value most in a shoe.
• You need a practical, reliable, and durable shoe for everyday activities like walking or running errands.
• You are shopping on a budget and looking for strong value, with most options under $120.
• You prefer a classic, understated style that easily fits into a casual and functional wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Balenciaga or Skechers more expensive?

Balenciaga is exponentially more expensive. A single pair of Balenciaga sneakers can cost up to ten times more than a pair of top-of-the-line Skechers.

Are Balenciaga sneakers comfortable?

While Balenciaga sneakers use high-quality materials and are well-constructed, their primary design focus is on style and aesthetic rather than orthopedic comfort. They are not designed for athletic performance or all-day walking in the same way Skechers are.

Which brand is better for walking or standing all day?

Skechers is unequivocally the better choice for walking or standing for long periods. Their focus on cushioned insoles, flexible soles, and lightweight construction is specifically engineered for this purpose.

Why are Balenciaga shoes so expensive?

The price is due to several factors: the brand's status as a top-tier luxury fashion house, the use of high-quality and premium materials, intricate design and construction processes, marketing costs, and the exclusivity associated with the designer name.

Do Balenciaga shoes run big or small?

Balenciaga footwear generally runs true to size. However, many of its sneaker designs are intentionally oversized and bulky as part of their fashion statement, so they may feel larger than a traditional athletic shoe.

Are Skechers considered a fashionable brand?

Skechers follows mainstream "athleisure" trends and is fashionable for casual, everyday wear. However, it is not considered a high-fashion or luxury brand in the way Balenciaga is.

How long do Skechers last?

With regular daily wear, a pair of Skechers can last a year or more. Their durability is quite good for their price point, making them a reliable choice for consumers who need affordable and functional shoes.

Where are both brands' products sold?

Balenciaga products are sold at their official boutiques, high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and curated online luxury retailers. Skechers are sold widely at their own retail and outlet stores, department stores like Kohl's and Macy's, and major online shoe retailers.