My beloved chausser. A guide to choosing your next pair for outstanding comfort

Since its founding in 1999, chausser has pursued shoemaking that stays close to the shape of Japanese feet. Once you slip into a pair, the comfort is addictive—so much so that many ZUTTO customers are devoted fans, and quite a few find themselves torn over which pair to choose next. With such a wide range of styles, it's easy to get stuck deciding. In this article, we'll take a close look at the popular models and give you our recommendations.

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chausser shoe ranking, most popular at ZUTTO

1st place ses amis Wing Tip Sneaker WHITE

2nd place TRAVEL SHOES Slip-On Rain TR-018 BLG

3rd place TRAVEL SHOES Lace-Up Rain with Quilting TR-007 BL

4th place  TRAVEL SHOES Ankle Boot Rain TR-012 BL

5th place  TRAVEL SHOES Strap Ballet Shoes Rain TR019 BLACK

▼1st place

ses amis Wing Tip Sneaker WHITE

With its refined design and comfort, this model enjoys overwhelming popularity. At first glance it looks like a leather shoe, but the soft, cushioned feel is unmistakably that of a sneaker.

▼2nd place

TRAVEL SHOES Slip-On Rain TR-018 BLG
Popular for everyday use thanks to its easy on-and-off wear and reliable quality. The leather surface has a glass-like coating, making it excellent at resisting water.

▼3rd place

TRAVEL SHOES Lace-Up Rain with Quilting TR-007 BL
This shoe strikes a superb balance between a mannish design and comfortable wear. The uniquely developed TRAVEL SHOES construction keeps water out while letting air through, giving you peace of mind against unpredictable weather while out and about on a trip.

▼4th place

TRAVEL SHOES Ankle Boot Rain TR-012 BL
Valued as a versatile shoe that performs well in every season. A heel that isn't too high is actually less tiring than a flat sole, and having even a bit of lift offers extra reassurance underfoot on rainy days.

▼5th place
TRAVEL SHOES Strap Ballet Shoes Rain TR019 BLACK
From girlish outfits to elegant attire, this shoe combines a feminine design with practical functionality.

The 1st-place ses amis Wing Tip Sneaker, which gives a sneaker the look and feel of a leather shoe, was by far the most popular. It's easy to wear and easy for adults to choose, while everything from 2nd place down was a TRAVEL SHOES model.

Given these results, we visited chausser to learn more, focusing on the TRAVEL SHOES line.

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Why TRAVEL SHOES are so popular

chausser's TRAVEL SHOES series is a hybrid shoe that brings together the best of leather shoes and sneakers. Pairing a traditional leather shoe upper with a sneaker sole, this style was truly a pioneer in its field.

Nowadays you often see leather shoes designed with sneaker soles, but chausser was a trailblazer in this area. Let's look at its distinctive features, part by part.

2. First, these are shoes with excellent functionality, not just a refined design. They offer sneaker-like comfort, and since the laces of a typical lace-up shoe are replaced with elastic, there's no fuss involved every time you put them on.

4. 

6. Water resistance and breathability

7. During the leather dyeing process, fluorine resin is worked into the fibers to boost both strength and water resistance, and a water-repellent finish is applied to the surface as well. This lets the shoe repel water while still allowing air to pass through, achieving a quality perfectly suited to rainy-day footwear. In testing, the shoes remained watertight even after 48 hours submerged, and they also offer stain resistance.

        

1. Durability

2. Thanks to a special rubber sole and high-quality materials, the shoes can hold up to over three years of regular use, with the sole itself boasting a lifespan of about five years or more.

4. 

6. Multi-purpose versatility 

7. These shoes can be put to versatile use—one pair on a business trip or vacation can cover everything from business to casual occasions. They stay comfortable even after long periods of walking, making them a great fit for a wide range of situations.

9. 

These qualities are the secret behind why these shoes are loved by such a wide range of generations. Everyone's feet have their own quirks and concerns, but this shoe offers the comfort to accommodate all kinds of individual foot shapes.

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Choosing an even more comfortable pair

For those who have already experienced the charm of chausser. Here's our suggestion for your next companion. We spoke directly with owner Maeda-san to hear more.

ses amis▶︎▶︎▶︎TRAVEL SHOES TR-004

For those who already love ses amis

Ready to step up?: TRAVEL SHOES Wingtip Rain TR-004

For those who love the sneaker-like fit of "ses amis," the wingtip style from TRAVEL SHOES is a perfect match. It keeps that same sneaker-like comfort while offering a design formal enough for dressier occasions. With elastic laces for easy wearing, it still retains the essential quality of true leather shoes—and with careful care and repairs, it can be your companion for 4 to 5 years.

Incidentally, "ses amis" is said to be made using sneaker construction techniques to achieve the look of leather shoes. Hearing that, the comfortable fit that hugs the foot makes perfect sense—it really is like a sneaker. Details reminiscent of leather shoes, such as the delicate medallion decoration that wraps around from the toe to the side and heel, give this sneaker the kind of appeal that adult women seek.

TRAVEL SHOES TR-018 ▶︎▶︎▶︎TRAVEL SHOES TR019

For slip-on lovers

The ideal next choice: TRAVEL SHOES Strap Ballet Shoes TR-019

For those captivated by the comfort of slip-ons, we recommend the ballet shoes from TRAVEL SHOES. Since they share the same last, the fit remains just as comfortable, while the design—thoughtfully shaped around the natural form of the foot—brings a new level of ease.

By setting the ball joint lower, the design prevents the foot from sliding forward while walking, and the heel is held firmly in place. This carefully considered construction avoids pressure on the toes even during long hours of wear, achieving both ease of movement and a feminine silhouette. It pairs beautifully with skirts, of course, but also works well with pants, expanding the possibilities for everyday styling.

TRAVEL SHOES TR-007 ▶︎▶︎▶︎TRAVEL SHOES TR-012

For those who love a mannish design

Our next recommendation: TRAVEL SHOES Ankle Boots TR-012

For those satisfied with the lace-up TR-007, the ankle boots TR-012 are an excellent match. Since they use the same last as the lace-ups, the comfort remains unchanged.

The secret lies in chausser's own unique fitting construction. The numé leather used for the insole delivers an exceptional flex that ordinary heeled shoes simply can't match. What's more, a technique in which the two pieces of leather forming the upper are stretched over the last at differing tensions creates a comfort that feels almost custom-made for the wearer's foot.

This design works equally well in the office and in casual settings, and in any season, lending an elegant touch to the footwear of adult women.

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Choose your next pair with confidence by focusing on the last

chausser (Chausser) shoes fall broadly into two groups based on their last. Each group is designed with its own particular comfort in mind, so the smart way to choose is to pick an item that uses the same last you already know—that way, you can be confident of a comfortable fit right from the start.

chausser (Chausser) shoes are divided into two main last groups, each with its own distinctive fit and feel.

▲For those wearing these TRAVEL SHOES, from left, TR012 and 007

This is the last group behind mannish designs such as lace-ups and ankle boots. With a design that allows just a slight amount of room at the toes, it delivers comfortable wear all day long.

The distinguishing feature of this last is that it can be worn with confidence even by those with high insteps. For instance, if you've enjoyed the comfort of your TRAVEL SHOES Lace-Up (TR-007), you'll find the exact same fit in the Ankle Boots (TR-012), which use the identical last.

The key is choosing a size that leaves only the slightest hint of room at the toe—not quite a full finger's width. Too much room, and that ideal fit is lost. If it's the same last, choosing the same size as the shoes you already own will guarantee that same reliable comfort.

▲For those wearing these TRAVEL SHOES, from left, TR004, 018, and 016

This is the last group behind more natural, supple designs such as slip-ons and pumps. With a construction that holds the heel firmly in place, it achieves easy walkability even in a slip-on style.

The distinguishing feature of this last group is the carefully judged room at the base of the toes, combined with a ball-joint construction that reduces the burden of walking—together, these prevent the shoe from slipping off and support stable, steady steps. It's especially comfortable for those with a lower instep.

For instance, if you've fallen for the comfort of the TRAVEL SHOES Slip-On (TR-018), you'll find the same comfort in the Strap Ballet Shoes (TR-019), which share the same last.

The key to choosing the right size is a just-right fit—snug enough that your heel doesn't leave room for a finger to slip in. Compared to lace-up shoes, a closer fit is ideal. In some cases, going one size down from what you'd choose for lace-up shoes can give you that ideal fit.
 

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To Enjoy Them for Years to Come

Encountering a pair of chausser (Chausser) shoes marks the beginning of a long relationship. By learning the care methods suited to each type of leather, their charm can remain undimmed for years to come.

For example, the white leather on travel shoes should have cream applied once every two weeks. Glass leather only needs a light wipe-down after use, but if you want an even more lustrous finish, a cordovan cream is recommended. Also, be sure to check the condition of the heels and insoles regularly. Getting repairs done early is the secret to a long relationship with a beloved pair of shoes.

During our interview, the topic came up that Maeda-san, the owner of chausser (Chausser), has a father who is a craftsman who makes shoes starting from wooden lasts. He apparently remained active in his work until around the age of 80. This interview reminded us that the philosophy of chausser (Chausser)—and its embodiment in each pair of shoes—grew directly out of the shoemaking Maeda-san witnessed since childhood.

Feet come in an endless variety of shapes, but what earns such devoted support is a manufacturing approach that sets these shoes apart from ordinary ready-made products, a last design born from years of experience, and above all, a genuine consideration for the person who will wear them.

We hope this gives you a chance to reconsider what kind of shoe (and last) truly suits you, and to seek out your next pair with that in mind.

▶︎ See the full lineup of chausser (Chausser) products here