Let's take a closer look at sneakers born from sports shoes

Among the many types of footwear out there, when it comes to prioritizing "ease of walking,"

many people reach for sneakers.

If the sneakers are modeled after actual sports shoes,

you can enjoy an even more comfortable fit that hugs your foot.

This time we're introducing two sneaker brands, both based on sports shoes,

where craftsmen make each pair by hand: MaTeS and WALSH.

We'll take a close look at the shoemaking philosophies of these two brands, born in Spain and England respectively.




What kind of characteristics do sneakers modeled after sports shoes—for tennis, track and field, handball, and the like—actually have?

Let's start by looking at their appearance.

This is the Sneaker Tennis Leather, a popular series from the Spanish sneaker brand MaTeS.

Since 1947, MaTeS has produced shoes for a wide range of sports—short-distance running spikes, high jump shoes, handball shoes, and more.

Even today, the brand continues to make shoes using traditional handcrafted methods with wooden lasts.

The Sneaker Tennis Leather catches the eye with its smooth cowhide upper.

As you can see from the side, thick rubber covers the entire sole, and the bottom of the shoe is flat from heel to toe,

evoking the image of a truly classic tennis shoe.

Have you noticed that the air vents on both sides are shaped like the letter "M," the brand's initial?

It's a playful little touch found within shoes that are otherwise painstakingly crafted by hand.

This is the Montjuch series from MaTeS.

Modeled after running shoes,

the Montjuch has a slimmer silhouette compared to the Tennis Leather when viewed from the outside.

The nylon mesh material of the upper gives it a sporty look,

but the combination with cowhide suede brings a pleasant sense of calm to the overall design.

The name Montjuch comes from an actual place name in Spain.

MaTeS reportedly hosts a marathon every year,

with a course that runs along the hill of Montjuïc.

This runner-focused approach is reflected in the design of the Montjuch series as well.

Next, let's turn to WALSH, a brand that continues to make its shoes in England.

The Ensign series was originally created for the British marathon team.

WALSH was founded in England in 1961,

and, much like MaTeS, has produced shoes for a variety of sports over the years.

In 1981, the brand supplied shoes to an Everest climbing expedition,

and its high quality, able to withstand even the harshest conditions, became recognized around the world.

The Ensign series is thoroughly designed with lightness in mind for a comfortable run,

achieving a total weight of about 440g for both shoes.

The heel is built up higher to help stabilize the foot,

and the elegant velour upper paired with a two-tone color scheme gives it a strong sense of style as well.

This LA84 series from WALSH is modeled after shoes made for athletes competing

in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

At around 450g, it's also built to be lightweight, and its thick sole along with an upturned toe reflect

the characteristic features of a running shoe.

Compared to the Ensign series, the interior of the heel is also made of leather, resulting in a sturdier overall construction.

Next, let's take a look at the internal structure of these sneakers.

When choosing shoes, I think many people would say that comfort, rather than appearance, is the deciding factor.

Both MaTeS and WALSH incorporate thoughtful design elements aimed at the comfort of the wearer.

MaTeS sneakers are characterized by their soft, highly cushioned interior construction.

Looking at them from above, it's immediately clear that the lining (the inner side panel)

is built with considerable thickness.

Because of this, you may feel a slight sense of pressure when first putting your foot in,

but if you choose the right size, this cushioning feels quite comfortable.

Tennis shoes and running shoes are built with thicker soles to reduce the impact of ground reaction force on the feet,

and also to allow for quick, sudden movements.

The cushioned lining in MaTeS sneakers likewise helps soften this kind of impact,

making them a design that's easy on the feet even when worn as everyday town shoes.

WALSH sneakers, being all modeled after track-and-field shoes,

are characterized by a fit that feels as if the shoe becomes one with your foot.

As mentioned earlier, they're made to be extremely lightweight, and

even with your foot inside, it's very easy to move your foot forward, backward, and side to side.

This creates a snug, almost second-skin fit where the shoe truly feels like one with the foot.

The nylon side panels stretch and contract to match the width of your foot,

so they're also recommended for those with wider feet.

Now, let's turn the shoes over and take a look at the soles.

Both MaTeS and WALSH

There is something these shoe soles have in common.

Both use soles made by Vibram.

Vibram, an Italian sole manufacturer,

is known for making soles with deep, tank-like treads that offer extremely high grip.

Vibram soles, praised even by mountaineers climbing snowy peaks,

are said to be highly slip-resistant and durable against wear.

MaTeS and WALSH have also adopted Vibram soles.

Both soles feature firm, deep treads with excellent slip resistance.

The attention to detail is so thorough that

it seems almost a waste to use them just as everyday town shoes.

MaTeS and WALSH,

are packed with the distinctive qualities of sports shoe models.

To choose the size that fits your feet best, keep the following points in mind.
 

・Always try on both shoes when fitting.

・When trying them on, put your heel firmly against the back of the sneaker and then tie the laces.

・After putting the shoes on, stand up, and check the space at the heel.

If there is about the width of one index finger's worth of room, the size is appropriate.

Also, please check that your toes can move freely, as this is a sign of a good fit.

If the size does not fit,

we can accept an exchange as long as the shoes are unused, so

please feel free to contact our customer support team.

◆ZUTTO Customer Support: support@zutto.co.jp

Sneakers become easier to walk in when the laces are tied properly.

Basically, threading the laces through the bottom eyelets from the outside and tying them this way helps prevent the laces from loosening.

Also, if the top eyelet is positioned slightly off to the side from the others (or if there are two eyelets there),

try lacing them using the method below, as it makes the laces even less likely to come undone.

1. Thread the lace through the top eyelet from the outside.

2. Pass the lace on the other side through the loop created in step 1.

3. Tie the lace that has been passed through the loop, and the secure knot is complete.

Even durable sneakers will wear out if worn every single day.

As with any other shoes, we recommend keeping several pairs on hand and rotating between them.

Also, applying a waterproof spray before wearing helps prevent dirt from sticking.

◆How to care for nylon sneakers

1. Remove the laces and insoles and set them aside.

2. Dampen a soft cloth and wipe any areas that are dirty.

For stubborn stains, apply a small amount of shoe detergent before wiping.

※Please be careful not to get the velour or leather parts wet.

3. Afterward, let the shoes dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area.

◆How to care for leather sneakers

1. Set the laces and insoles aside.

2. Brush the entire shoe with a shoe brush to remove large particles of dust and dirt.

3. Apply leather shoe cleaner and wipe with a soft cloth.

4. Finally, buff with a clean, dry cloth and let dry in a well-ventilated area.