Shoppers have encountered what many are calling 'the world's most controversial boots'—the Inflatable Porterville Boots designed by Rick Owens. Retailing for an astonishing $5,000, these avant-garde boots first made an appearance during Owens' fall 2024/winter 2025 collection, created in collaboration with artist Straytukay.
The trend gained traction on social media as influencers began showcasing the unusual footwear, which necessitates inflation before wear. Fashion influencer Kristy Sarah Scott took to Instagram, displaying the boots to her 7.6 million followers while donning a coordinating inflatable puffer jacket. The outfit drew significant attention, with Scott questioning her audience, "Is this too much?" as she posed in her striking ensemble.
The boots feature a five-inch wedge heel and come equipped with an air pumping device, enabling wearers to inflate them without exertion. While some choose to inflate the boots manually, the included device offers an alternative. It is worth noting that these shoes are marketed for special occasions or display rather than everyday use, and they cannot be purchased directly from the Rick Owens website, which instead features models displaying the footwear on the runway.
Scott, aged 29, went viral for her creative take on the look, describing it as "a whole vibe" and reflective of runway fashion. However, the extravagant price sparked critiques among her followers. Many expressed that they could replicate the design at a fraction of the cost, likening her appearance to the iconic trash bag ensemble worn by Missy Elliot in her music video for "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" and suggesting comparisons to characters from the Powerpuff Girls.
Despite the divided reactions, there were moments of admiration for the boots. One user enthusiastically proclaimed, "This look is EVERYTHING!" In an unboxing video shared on the Fashion Bomb Daily Instagram account, Scott elaborated on the boots' previous scarcity, affirming that they had been "sold out for so long."
Reactions in the comments section varied greatly. One commenter labelled the boots "the most outlandishly ridiculous thing ever," while another quipped about the impracticality of requiring inflation for footwear, remarking, "Ma'am we already late to everything without 'pump required footwear.'" Overall, consensus emerged that certain designs may be best left on the runway.
The interest in such unconventional footwear follows a trend among fashion fans, reminiscent of other recent instances where designer items have sparked humorous critiques. From Sofia Richie’s husband roasting a pair of $2,700 crystal-adorned boots to the widespread intrigue surrounding Brooklyn-based MSCHF’s $350 cartoonish red rubber boots, the fashion industry continues to push boundaries, inviting both admiration and apprehension.
Source: Noah Wire Services