How can you spot a counterfeit Balenciaga Speed Trainer?

The Balenciaga Speed Trainer, released in 2017, is one of Balenciaga's most successful sneakers of the last 3 years. Worn by influencers, top athletes and even artists, this sneaker is in the must-have (things to have) of any self-respecting fashion enthusiast. Despite its higher-than-standard retail price - at least €595 for the Balenciaga Speed Trainer - the trainer is a huge success. However, this strong reputation means that it is very often subject to counterfeiting. How can you spot a counterfeit Balenciaga Speed Trainer?

Check the packaging box

Firstly, check the packaging. The selling price at which the Balenciaga Speed Trainer or any other luxury sneaker is offered implies a certain quality, from the packaging box to the invoice. The Balenciaga logo on this box is clear and unmistakable. If you have bought a pair of second-hand Balenciaga shoes that are still new, you will also find a high-quality dust bag in the box.

A real Balenciaga wrapper

So when you buy a luxury second-hand product, or at least one that is rather expensive, on classified ad sites, don't hesitate to ask your seller for the invoice for the product in question.

Look at the Balenciaga logo before

Next, take a close look at the Balenciaga logo on the side of your trainer. Many counterfeiters make mistakes in the placement of the logo, which is often placed too high, the quality of the printing or the font used for the logo. Finally, on an authentic pair of Balenciaga shoes, the logo does not follow the curve of the shoe, it is written slightly straight, unlike a replica on which the logo is written too curved.

On the left, the logo of an authentic Balenciaga, on the right, the logo of a Balenciaga replica.

However, you should be aware that the French fashion and luxury brand Balenciaga often changes its font. So don't hesitate to compare your pair of Balenciaga shoes with the corresponding one on the brand's official website.

Look at the Balenciaga logo on the back

Check the font of the Balenciaga logo on the heel of your pair of trainers. Given its price and high status, the Balenciaga is a shoe made from good quality materials and finished to perfection. The slightest flaw indicates that it is a Balenciaga replica.

Take a close look at the font used, the spacing of the letters, the print quality, etc. On a counterfeit, the back logo is often not sufficiently engraved into the shoe, which is easy to spot with the naked eye. The spacing of the letters in the logo is also very often a problem: sometimes it's too wide, sometimes it's not wide enough.

On the left, an authentic Balenciaga, on the right a Balenciaga copy.

Inspect the shape of the Balenciaga

This is a detail that many counterfeiters reproduce badly and is therefore generally easy to spot. An authentic pair of Balenciaga Speed Trainers is slightly curved above the sole, at the back and at the heel. The rest of the shoe takes the shape of a foot, or rather a sock, and the shoe remains straight up to the toe cap. On counterfeits, the back and toe of the shoe tend to be curved.

On the left, an authentic Balenciaga, on the right a Balenciaga counterfeit.

Check the insole

Here again, look at the quality of the printing of the Balenciaga logo, on a counterfeit you will always find flaws. The print is much sharper and more precise on original pairs of Balenciaga Speed Trainers. Also look at the colour and material used.

On the left, an original Speed Trainer sole, on the right, a Speed Trainer copy sole.

Analyse the seams

For the final step in checking the authenticity of your pair of Balenciaga Speed Trainers, analyse the seams. The middle seams are deeper on authentic Balenciagas than on counterfeit Balenciagas. Also, the seams on both sides of this central seam are more visible and more regular on an original pair of Balenciaga.

On the left, a real pair of Balenciaga Speed Trainer, on the right, a copy of Balenciaga Speed Trainer.

Buy your used pair of Balenciaga Speed Trainer with Obvy

To be sure that your pair of second-hand Balenciaga Speed Trainers are in perfect condition, if you can't afford to buy them direct from a shop, buy your shoes from private sellers on the second-hand market with Obvy.

Obvy is a payment solution specially designed to make transactions between private individuals secure and to counter 100% of the scams found on classified ad sites. With Obvy, you can check the identity of your seller, you have full traceability of your transactions and you can return the product to the seller or simply cancel the transaction if you discover that your pair of second-hand luxury sneakers is a fake!