【Loved & Used Review】The easygoing shoe that even handles driving well—what changed after I started wearing New falcon.

This is our "Loved & Used Review" series, where staff members who check and know ZUTTO's products better than anyone else passionately introduce items they've purchased themselves. This time, we're reviewing the New falcon sneakers, which became the solution for a staff member who had long struggled with shoe troubles.

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For a few years now, I've noticed sneakers with increasingly thick outsoles popping up everywhere. Reminiscent of the "dad sneakers" trend that had its moment back in the 90s, these shoes have a plump, endearing shape. I myself am one of those chunky-sole sneaker devotees.

In winter, I also wear heeled boots alongside my platform sneakers, and while I love all of these shoes, there's actually something that has bothered me whenever I wear thick-soled shoes or boots: they make driving difficult.

I stack the heeled boots in the back of the car.

If you've ever driven a car, you'll understand this concern—the angle at which you press the accelerator varies completely depending on the shoe, so even the slightest difference in sensation can make you feel oddly uneasy. When driving long distances, I would sometimes bring along a second pair of basic, well-worn sneakers just for the drive.

Even though they were comfortable and broken in, they weren't exactly designed for driving, and I started to feel like bringing an extra pair of shoes every time I went out was kind of a hassle. That's when I heard that these shoes could double as driving shoes, and I became curious to try New falcon, which I'd had my eye on for a while.

Staff F

【Foot Size】22.5cm

【Width】B

【Characteristics】My feet are on the narrower side, but I rarely struggle with shoe fit.

【Size Chosen】Size 36 (equivalent to 23cm)

▲Out of the 5 available colors, I chose GREY. It has a slight bluish nuance, making it easy to pair with both pants and skirts.

My feet are 22.5cm, but I love the relaxed fit of roomier sneakers, so I often choose shoes around 23cm.

Wearing them with the included leather insole and thick winter socks, I found the fit to be both snug and relaxed at the same time. It felt a bit larger than my usual 23cm sneakers. Taking out the insole gives an even lighter feel when worn, and tying the laces properly keeps them from flopping around, making for a comfortable wear.

　What I Love About New falcon

1. A light, casual feel I'd forgotten for a long time

The first thing that surprised me when I put them on was how unexpectedly light they are. A single shoe weighs just 251g on its own, and even with the included leather insole added, it only comes to 265g per shoe—quite a lightweight shoe.

As I wore them, I was reminded of the feeling of the indoor shoes I wore as a child.At an office that has repurposed a former elementary school building, the light, non-slip way they gripped the corridor floor brought back that same sense. Though they look nothing like the indoor shoes of back then, this nostalgic wearing feel makes them something I'd recommend for indoor use at your child's school observation day, or for wearing around the office.

Why are they so comfortable? It's because New falcon was originally designed as a medical shoe meant to look stylish even in medical settings. At a glance they look like ordinary shoes, so some of you might wonder what "medical" has to do with it—let me introduce a bit about the brand.

Born in Italy, New falcon is imported into Japan by Nostalgic Garage. In particular, the special-order item we're introducing here was planned and developed by Nostalgic Garage itself. Because of this, the insole of the New falcon bears the Nostalgic Garage brand logo stamped into it, as shown in the image below. (Nostalgic Garage is a brand that has long been a popular presence at ZUTTO, known for items such as its garage coat, tote bag, and chino trousers.)

The retro car in the brand logo really catches the eye. As it turns out, Nostalgic Garage is a brand that loves retro cars and nostalgic items so deeply that it has even adopted retro cars for its business vehicles and brand logo alike.

The encounter between Nostalgic Garage and New falcon reportedly began at a retro car event in Italy. When it comes to cars, Italy is the place. At that event, several retro car drivers were wearing New falcon as driving shoes, and this is what led Nostalgic Garage to recognize the sneaker's quality and value, eventually bringing it to Japan. At the time in Italy, New falcon was familiar and popular enough to be sold as a rehabilitation shoe even at pharmacies, yet its sole was refined enough to let drivers sense even the faintest changes and subtle differences in the accelerator and brake of a retro car—which is why it was so beloved by so many drivers.

Of course, its reputation isn't limited to being a driving shoe. Attention should also be paid to the design, which makes use of Italian deadstock fabrics and vintage fabrics that prioritize natural materials like cotton and wool, as well as environmentally friendly fabrics. Thanks to the characteristics of these nostalgic fabrics, the lineup has become one that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere today, no matter how much you might want it.

The construction is a vulcanized sneaker that can only be manufactured at a limited number of factories, both in Japan and abroad, making it highly rare and valuable. Not only is it durable and able to maintain a beautiful silhouette, but it also features a flexible sole that makes for easy walking. This is a sneaker made with a meticulous method that involves many steps and handwork, taking considerable time and effort to produce even a single pair.

2. Not Just Thin—A Sole with Cork Built In

The sole is thin, but cork is built into the heel area, which has the effect of absorbing the impact of walking.

Speaking of cork in soles, that's also true of Goodyear-welted leather shoes. Cork is placed in the sole to enhance shock absorption and cushioning, and since the cork compresses each time you wear the shoes, gradually molding to the shape of your own feet, you come to feel a truly one-of-a-kind fit.

In addition, this special-order item comes with a leather insole that molds to your foot the more you wear it, letting you enjoy the sense that these sneakers are truly your own. The insole might feel a bit large when you first put it on, but rest assured that it will gradually mold to your foot as you continue to wear it. Beneath the leather insole is a layer of towel-like pile fabric, making the shoes comfortable to wear barefoot on hot days.

The outsole is made from a material that resists slipping even on rainy days or at the beach. When you actually walk in them, you can feel the sole grip the ground with a satisfying sense of traction. It's a stress-free feeling, almost like walking barefoot, and it makes you want to head out and wander around casually.

3. A Slightly Retro Look That's Just Right—Reliable for Everyday Wear

Light, easy to walk in, and easy to put on—combined with an unpretentious, simple design, these are among my favorites. They work well both for subtracting from a polished look and adding to a casual one, making them useful in any overall outfit.

◆Light and Airy in Beige

Sneakers: [Special Order] Cotton Sneakers / CHECK

Top: Attachable Loose-Fit Parka
Coat: CAVALRY TWILL Coat
Bag: Gathered Bag
 

◆Casual with Denim × Denim

Sneakers: [Special Order] Wool Denim Sneakers / BLUE
Top: Mongolian Wool Turtleneck Sweater

Skirt: MACHU PICCHU Denim Skirt

Bag: HALLIE Bucket Tote

The stitch-like line tape on the sole area is quite striking. This line tape is a signature feature of the New falcon brand, adding a subtle touch of style to an otherwise simple design.

The lace holes are a simple two-hole design. When wearing ordinary sneakers, you typically have to loosen the laces threaded through the top two or three holes and then retie them tightly again. This usually requires quite a bit of effort, doesn't it?

With just two holes, tying the laces requires almost no effort at all, making the shoes very easy to put on. Two-hole designs are common in leather shoes but rarely seen in sneakers. Discovering this touch of stylish Italian attention to detail in such a masculine construction was quite delightful.

It's said that these shoes can even detect the slightest changes in accelerator pressure in vintage cars, and when I actually wore them as driving shoes, the feel of the pedals was on an entirely different level from ordinary sneakers. The first time I pressed down on the pedal, I was genuinely impressed—"Oh, so this is what it's like." I'm not particularly confident behind the wheel, and I usually feel a little nervous driving in shoes I'm wearing for the first time, but with New falcon, that nervousness simply wasn't there. The reassuring sense of properly pressing the pedal was so strong that it made me realize just how uncertain I must have felt all this time, pressing pedals with a duller sense of feedback through my feet.

I'd recommend these not only to people who enjoy driving as a hobby, drive long distances, or love the outdoors, but also to beginner drivers or those who aren't especially confident behind the wheel.

That said, because of the cork sole, there's a certain crispness to the tread underfoot, similar to a leather shoe, so for days involving long-distance walking, such as traveling, I'd recommend shoes designed specifically for that purpose. As for the wearing experience itself, since I personally prefer a relaxed, casual fit, the level of hold felt just right, and the overall comfort was quite good—comfortable enough to wear for extended periods as work shoes as well.

These shoes have a cozy, retro feel, but if you'd like to give them a more contemporary twist, arranging the shoelaces is a nice option. What I swapped in above is a standard sneaker lace length. Since the shoes only have two holes, I worried the laces might end up too long, but surprisingly, they can be worn at just the right length.

That concludes our introduction to the appeal of New falcon.

In particular, I think some beginners, like me, tend to prefer shoes with thick soles or heels, so these shoes are recommended not only for yourself but also as a thoughtful gift. I really feel that these are shoes made for people who lack confidence behind the wheel—my impression completely changed from before wearing them to after actually wearing them—and I'm now even considering choosing them as a birthday gift for a friend whose hobby is driving.

Unlike the serious driving shoes that professionals wear, these have a cute design similar to ordinary cotton shoes, and I love that you can enjoy shopping in them without having to change.

▼Click here for the full lineup of New Falcon products