The latest and greatest from Nike and Balenciaga have a few things in common: futurist aesthetic, an unconventional sole unit and all-round creative flair. Alyx’s Matthew Williams took on the tech-laden ISPA Road Warrior to create the Zoom MMW 4, an aggressive, polarising sneaker which pulls no punches and makes a massive statement. Balenciaga’s newest offering, dubbed “X-Pander”, follows suit and includes a massive hinged heel that compresses under pressure.

The duo mark a shift in trends for footwear, moving away from familiar heritage styles like the Air Jordan 1 and Dunk, towards a fresh new batch of possibilities. Are you here for the new styles, or are you sticking with classics?

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