Under Armour and Balenciaga Introduce the Ripstop Sneaker

Partnerships between high-end fashion houses and sportswear brands have become de rigueur for the sneaker industry in recent years. From the highly anticipated x to the high-stakes link-ups have no doubt proved lucrative for both parties. The latest brands to team up are and with the news of a partnership coming just days before Balenciaga’s Spring 2025 fashion show in Shanghai.

While the apparel (which includes tees, sweatpants, shorts and a $1,450 hoodie) have officially launched, we’re still patiently waiting for the footwear release. Set to include two variations of the chunky sneaker and popular the colourways are rendered in minimalist black and white stylings.

Traditionally, the 2000s-esque 3XL sneaker is manufactured in leather free distressed layers of mesh and polyurethane, although we’re not sure whether Under Armour will experiment with these materials. For its part, the Speed Trainer has long served as a linchpin in the Balenciaga catalogue. Known for its distinctive sock-like design, Balenciaga have released several versions of the silhouette over the years, so it’ll be interesting to see any potential modifications for the upcoming Under Armour collaboration.

Since 2015, Balenciaga has been guided by Creative Director Demna Gvasalia. Born in Georgia, Demna co-founded the Vetements label and has collaborated extensively with Ye (formerly Kanye West) over the years – particularly for the GAP and Donda 2 projects.

No official word on a release date, but make sure to keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for updates.