When Scuff Becomes Statement: 9 Sneakers That Went Full Distress Mode

Preloved-looking kicks have gained massive appeal in recent years, tapping into a desire for individuality, sustainability and (ironically enough) personal authenticity in the sneakersphere. Once simply a way to give old pairs a new guise, the concept has evolved into a full-on trend. With distressed designs, vintage finds and upcycled materials, preloved releases offer a uniquely worn-in look that fresh styles just can’t replicate.

But some brands have taken the idea to another level, turning what was once considered wear and tear into a fashion statement. From designs that look like they’ve already survived several wild nights out, to ones which have been repeatedly and gently distressed to mimic years of use, these models redefine what it means to rock a well-worn pair.

With the debut of , we’ve rounded up some of the most audacious (and often questionable) preloved releases that really took things to the extreme.

Balenciaga Paris Distressed Sneaker

Arriving in May 2022, caused a meltdown the moment it dropped, mostly because it looked like it had already survived one. Previewed as part of the Parisian fashion house’s marketing campaign (though you’ll be surprised to know that 100 pairs were actually sold at retail) and photographed by Léopold Duchemin, the overly worn-in model appeared battered beyond belief, with hints of torn canvas, scorched-looking rubber and loose stitching all suggesting a hard life, lived entirely on foot.

For those not quite ready to commit to the full post-apocalyptic aesthetic, Balenciaga also offered a more wearable version. These came lightly scuffed, slightly frayed and still very much ‘distressed’.

This wasn’t the first time Balenciaga had blurred the line between fashion and farce. In 2017, the then-Demna-led label turned heads (and emptied wallets) with a $2,145 tote that bore an uncanny resemblance to IKEA’s 99-cent Frakta bag. Ouch!

Gallery DEPT. x ASICS GT-2160

If you’ve ever thought, ‘What my rotation’s missing is a pair that looks like it’s lost a fight with a grade school art classroom floor’, then the is probably already in your cart. While some would argue that the pair’s colab is a hallmark of creativity, the reality is that it looks like someone mistook the toe box for a drop cloth.

With random splashes of green, orange and black paint (because... art), and overlays that feel like they’ve survived a minor factory explosion, the exhibition-inspired kick takes the whole ‘distressed look’ and runs a marathon with it. It’s scuffed, splattered and doing the most, yet somehow it’s supposed to be a celebration of imperfection. Which… fair play. It is imperfect.

Dremel x MSCHF Gobstomper

continues to surprise time and time again, and their with Dremel was yet another instance of raising the bar to teetering, unexpected heights. The ‘Gobstomper’ proved that when it comes to distressing, they really know how to break new ground. Accompanied by a tool that allowed wearers to customise the kick, the silhouette itself featured a two-tone colour scheme consisting of sail and black accents, offset by bold royal blue hits on the tongue and outsole. Forget clean lines or cosy uppers – this one's all about seared edges, melted bits and that fresh-out-the-garage aesthetic.

Nike Dunk Low ‘Wear and Tear’

The ‘Wear and Tear’ collection really makes you scratch your head. Instead of waiting for the natural process of depreciation, the Swoosh decided to fast-track the whole thing. They took the iconic Dunk silhouette and intentionally roughed it up with scuffs, cracked finishes and faded overlays, all before anyone even had a chance to breathe on them. The models really were designed to look as if they'd already lived a full life of battles – just without the actual experience.

The collection offered a few GR-styled colourways, each one embracing that well-worn look but with zero effort needed on your part. The idea was style over substance, grabbing the distressed concept and taking it way, way past the horizon. In the end, the fact these scuffs weren’t earned left some sneakerheads feeling a little hollow.

A$AP ROCKY x PUMA Inhale 'Distressed Neoprene'

Distressing a brand new kick isn’t exactly a groundbreaking idea, but and fashion killer plucked up the approach and then squeezed the life clean out of it. The rapper’s 2024 remix of the early-2000s Inhale runner came out looking like it had been through the filthiest of mosh pits, complete with heat-cut flame overlays, roughed-up neoprene and hand-buffed midsoles for that preloved feel. Even the laces got an update in the form of a wire loop system, just to make things even more tactile (or unnecessarily intense, depending who you ask).

At a glance, it certainly looked like a pair that had lived a few lives already. But of course, that was the whole point. In an era where distressing has become high-fashion shorthand for ‘authenticity’, A$AP’s Inhale went above and beyond with a fast-tracked, fully intentional beat-up job – and priced at an affordable RR, which honestly made it even better.

Maison Margiela Fusion Sneaker

Look, we’ve seen the memes. When Italian powerhouse introduced the Fusion sneaker in 2018, it felt like a quiet little joke told at the expense of both the fashion world and sneaker culture alike. Mopped, dipped and finished off with a handful of gravel for good measure, the model flipped the luxury market completely inside out. Foam oozed from the seams, glue dripped across the uppers like a botched craft project, and tape held it all together: visibly, intentionally, and (perhaps most surprisingly) with a straight face.

The Fusion went beyond the idea of ‘distressed’, instead opting for an ungodly creation that was truly conceived with ‘messed up’ in mind. In doing so, Margiela took the idea of artisanal ageing (something already creeping into luxury fashion) and pushed that envelope into another dimension, seeming to mock the very ideas of value, labour and authenticity in fashion.

Despite its questionable price tag, people copped. Whether it was performance art, satire, or an audacious mash-up of both, the Fusion made its point loud and clear: the line between fashion and farce isn’t just thin. It’s lucrative.

New Balance 2002R 'Protection Pack'

The 2002R ‘Protection Pack’ is one of those designs that’s more about shamelessly embracing the ‘distressed’ look than spending precious time thinking about authentic wear and tear. Clearly not in the mood to play it safe with a clean and polished model, the Boston-based brand went hard with the idea of a ‘protected’ kick, giving the 2002R a rugged vibe. Originally named ‘Refined Future’ in mid-2021, the design was intentionally deconstructed, with exposed foam, frayed edges and a raw, DIY feel to the whole. This pair had apparently been deep through the urban trenches, yet they were in fact shelf-fresh.

Converse All Star 'Faded Denim' Collection

took a gamble with the All Star 'Faded Denim' collection, giving the classic a ‘distressed’ makeover straight from the box. Instead of waiting around for human wear to lend a genuinely broken-in look, the hi-top model came pre-faded with denim uppers and a beat-up aesthetic that definitely looked as if it’d been around the block. While its raw, rugged charm appealed to some, others called Converse out for their shortcut. The collection got attention, but it wasn’t exactly the ‘game changer’ Converse had hoped for – and the scales of public opinion tipped decidedly to the side of ‘you can’t make this old trick feel fresh.’

Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Dirty Triple White'

purposely ‘Dirty Triple White’ has definitely bent our necks. Finding its footing within the broader trend of sneaker distressing, this pair stands out for its unique reverse-ageing process – the design is intentionally made to get cleaner over time, shifting the typical narrative of keeping kicks pristine. If you’re after that box-fresh look, the Swoosh have included a toothbrush to help you out (BYO elbow grease), but the fun with these kicks will surely lie in watching your particular pair’s evolution over time. The idea of a shoe that starts ‘dirty’ and gets cleaner with wear is one that embraces imperfection with honesty, and offers a playful twist on usual expectations.

Get all the details about the 'Dirty Triple White' AF-1 – due to drop May 7 – here.