‘These belong on “World’s Dumbest Inventions…’—Fans mock Balenciaga’s ‘Barefoot Zero’ shoes

Balenciaga has become well-known for its bold and distinctive approach to fashion. Under the direction of Demna Gvasalia, often known as Demna, the luxury company has unveiled a number of oddball products, like the trash bag, tape-inspired bracelet, Towel Skirt, Potato Chips handbag, old sneakers, and more.

Balenciaga unveiled a new footwear concept as part of their Fall 2025 collection, and fashionistas have taken notice. This slip-on style, called The Zero, maybe their most unusual offering to date. The Zero, according to Balenciaga, is an extreme minimalist barefoot shoe. Only the big toe and heel are enclosed, leaving the majority of the foot exposed due to the use of 3D-molded EVA foam.

It is anticipated to be expensive, in line with the brand's heritage of premium pricing, and comes in black, tan, white, and brown. Since the majority of the foot is exposed, Balenciaga refers to The Zero as the essence of footwear, although it's more like "barely there." However, their pricing may make your wallet feel empty!

Netizens quickly transformed The Zero into a full-fledged memefest once the news surfaced, drawing comparisons to anything from expensive flip-flops to caveman shoes. People even labeled this as the 'world's dumbest invention'! Someone (@Jenny) on X (formerly Twitter) commented:

"These belong on "World's Dumbest Inventions" on E!."

What occurs when you ask yourself, "What if shoes were too cool to actually cover your feet?" is what Balenciaga's The Zero is all about. The majority of the foot is uncovered, suggesting that someone grabbed a sandal and decided to add even more confusion.

The internet is awash with memes that describe it as anything from "the perfect shoe for people who want to feel the ground beneath them - literally and financially" to "fashion's answer to going barefoot." The internet, being the internet, decided to make Balenciaga's decision to question the concept of footwear the year's biggest joke.

If you thought your feet had seen it all, wait until you see the memes and netizens' reactions! Let me take you through some of the most amusing responses that internet users have had to this news.

Here's how netizens have reacted to Balenciaga’s ‘Barefoot Zero’ shoes

Someone (@Dylan Sandas) commented:

"It’s a great way to 100% confirm that if you step funny you will break your big toe."

Another one (The microStacker) wrote:

"I don’t even want to know the cost of this tragedy"

A user (@The Right Answer) expressed:

"Where is the rest of it?"

Another user (@bobbyscaps.eth) commented:

"This cannot be comfortable or practical, and they are ugly, therefore they serve no purpose."

A netizen (@Cesar Cartaya) commented:

"I don’t know who in their right mind thought this would be a good concept. Only use for it I see is flip flops for when you get out of bed, but even then they don’t seem too comfortable."

Another netizen (@Monte White) wrote:

"they tried to remake the yeezy socks"

Someone (@Jesse) expressed:

"All of their stuff is horrendous. Have u seen their normal shoes? Bruh."

Another netizen (@Ilv_myCountry) expressed:

"This is so dumb."

A folk (@BobsLazer) commented:

"Who buys this garbage to begin with?"

Another one (@Mista Murphy) expressed:

"Laughing all the way to the bank - should have made them clear. Are there men's too? lol"

A user (@Tbrighton7) wrote:

"Running out of ideas?"

With Balenciaga's The Zero, the internet has really excelled itself and made it into a full-fledged meme fest. Social media has been exploding with the design that shouts, "I’m not a shoe, I’m an experience," and exposes the majority of the foot. "Who needs a sole when you’ve got social media?" is how Balenciaga put it. "We have plenty of memes to fill the void!" was the response from the internet.

Ultimately, even if Balenciaga's The Zero isn't taking home any comfort prizes, it has solidified its position in both fashion history and meme culture. One thing is certain: the internet is talking about it, regardless of whether it's the future of footwear or just a pricy question mark in the shape of a foot. Therefore, these shoes might become your new best buddy if you want to stand out or simply baffle your friends.

Keep reading SoapCentral for more humorous content like this!