A strong ally for business formal wear. What kind of leather shoes can you wear on both sunny and rainy days?

With the rainy season approaching, the weather is gradually turning muggy and humid. For those who often wear a suit for business, sturdy leather shoes are an everyday necessity. Here is a feature on the leather shoes to choose for such days.

Choosing Shoes for Rainy Days

Japan is a rainy country, receiving twice the world average rainfall. Unlike the sudden squalls of warmer regions, rain here—during the tsuyu (rainy season) or the autumn rains—often falls in a steady drizzle throughout the day. Combined with the fact that many people have occasions to wear a suit for business, choosing business shoes during the rainy season can be a real source of worry.

This time, let's take a close look at how to choose leather shoes for rainy days, as well as how to care for them.

Which Leather Shoes Are a No-Go on Rainy Days?

You might hesitate to wear your favorite, carefully cared-for leather shoes on a rainy day. The key words for choosing leather shoes for rainy days are "rubber sole" and "leather color."

Choose a Rubber Sole

Vibram soles from vibram, a sole maker deeply trusted by numerous shoemakers

Most soles are made of either leather or rubber. If you mistakenly wear shoes with leather soles, they will absorb water, which causes deterioration and makes the shoes heavier with moisture. Worse still, they become slippery and dangerous. For this reason, choosing shoes with rubber soles is the right answer for rainy days.

Pay Attention to Leather Color

chausser Men's 2-Way Shoes Series

Compared to dark colors like black, brown leather tends to show water stains more easily. If it gets rained on, it's important to wipe it off right away. If you're busy and end up wiping it off too late, resulting in a stain... your precious shoes could be ruined. If you're choosing shoes to wear on rainy days, it's best to go with darker tones like black.

That said, as a basic premise, leather is actually not weak against water. It comes from the hide of animals exposed to wind and rain, and this is likely part of the reason why leather shoes developed in rainy England. Still, if you're going to wear leather shoes on a rainy day, there are some points to keep in mind to keep them looking good.

Care Before Use

Use a water-repellent spray or waterproof wax made for leather.

Using a Leather Waterproof Spray

Remove dirt from the leather with a dry cloth or a shoe brush, then spray from about 30cm away and brush the shoes to spread the treatment evenly. Even if you're not expecting rain, it's recommended to do this maintenance about once every two weeks to a month.

If Caught in the Rain: Aftercare Is Essential

No matter how much waterproof spray you use, aftercare following exposure to rain is essential. First, it's important to remove moisture—wipe down the shoes with a dry cloth, then let them dry in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. With leather shoes, the shape can become distorted, so use a shoe dryer or shoe keeper to help maintain their form. Be careful, as failing to dry them thoroughly can result in stains.

After drying, it's important to replenish the oils in the leather. Apply shoe cream to protect the shoes from drying out.

Shoes and Walking Styles That Prevent Mud Splashes

One thing to watch out for on rainy days is mud splashing onto your shoes. What causes mud splashes, and what can you do to prevent them?

Reason for Mud Splashes #1: The Shoes Don't Fit Properly

One possible reason is that the shoes simply don't fit well to begin with. Wearing shoes that are too large rather than a snug fit causes them to shift around as you walk, making mud splashes more likely. To prevent this, it's best to choose lace-up shoes that hold the foot securely in place.

Reason for Mud Splashes #2: Taking Large Strides and Kicking Off the Ground While Walking

It goes without saying in everyday life, but on rainy days, trains are often delayed, traffic jams occur, and unpredictable situations arise more frequently. To avoid rushing into a run or stepping into a puddle without noticing, it's important to walk with each step planted firmly on the ground.

Leather Shoes for Both Sun and Rain: chausser

Now, up to this point, we've covered what's needed to wear your everyday leather shoes on rainy days. But for those who think, "It's hard to do maintenance every time it rains," or "I wish there were rain-ready leather shoes that were easy to care for," we recommend choosing rain-resistant leather shoes from chausser.

A Proprietary Leather Material That Works for Both Sun and Rain

Men's TRAVEL SHOES Cap Toe Rain BL

The secret behind these leather shoes' rain resistance, despite being genuine leather, lies in how the leather is processed. During dyeing, fluororesin is worked into the fibers to increase both strength and water resistance, and the surface is further treated with a soft, waterproofed finish. This achieves a quality perfectly suited to rainy-day footwear: repelling water while still allowing air through for breathability. What's more, the laces are made of rubber, offering the added convenience of slipping the shoes on and off without untying them.

Since the laces are rubber, putting the shoes on and taking them off is completely stress-free

These TRAVEL SHOES are made with a uniquely developed leather that repels water while still letting air through. The outsole uses a custom-ordered Vibram rubber sole, offering excellent grip, while the insole is made from a special low-rebound urethane that absorbs impact. A straight-tip design, with its single horizontal line across the toe, is normally prized for its formal look—but with the comfort of a sneaker, this is a dependable pair of shoes you can walk in confidently, whether the day is sunny or rainy.

The men's Travel Shoes lineup includes two wingtip designs and one straight-tip design. The wingtips come in two colors, [NAVY×WHITE] and [WHITE], making them perfect for business casual settings.

Men's TRAVEL SHOES Wingtip Rain NY/WH

With its bright white outsole, this navy Travel Shoe gives a cool, refreshing impression that's perfect for summer footwear. Thanks to the special breathable material, you'll notice far less stuffiness than with other leather shoes.

Men's TRAVEL SHOES Wingtip Rain WH

Perfect for summer, the Men's TRAVEL SHOES Wingtip Rain WH. White leather shoes are usually a worry when it comes to dirt, but with TRAVEL SHOES' resistance to both rain and stains, that concern about handling them is greatly reduced.

If you want a pair that works across business settings and formal occasions alike, the Men's TRAVEL SHOES Straight Tip Rain BL is the one to choose.

These all-black leather shoes are versatile enough to shine on both sunny and rainy days. With their glossy leather finish, they maintain an air of elegance while combining good looks with practicality—an essential pair for any business scene.

Voices from chausser fans

We asked someone who actually wears the Men's TRAVEL SHOES Straight Tip Rain BL to answer a few questions about what makes them special.

How long have you been wearing them?

About 10 months.

What made you decide to buy them?

I was looking for business shoes I could wear on rainy days, and I came across these. I liked that they used a unique material that keeps rain from soaking in, and that the simple design still worked for formal occasions.

When do you wear them most?

Of course I can wear them on sunny days too, but I use them specifically for work on rainy days. I already own several pairs of leather shoes, so having a pair that works in both rain and shine is handy—it lets me give my other shoes a rest and keep them looking nice longer.

What do you particularly like about them?

The fact that I can walk without worrying about the rain. Unlike ordinary leather shoes treated with a water-repellent or waterproof spray, these have a resin coating on the fibers themselves, so I know they're especially rain-resistant—it means I can walk through the rain without any anxiety.

Is there anything that bothers you a little?

Compared to rubber soles from other makers, they felt a bit slippery to me at first. I've heard the sole comes from Vibram, a sole maker trusted by many shoemakers, so I think it's actually less slippery than most shoes of this style.

How do you care for them, and how often?

Since I bought these for rainy days, they're always wet after wearing, so I always let them dry thoroughly, all the way to the outsole, right at the entryway. Once they're dry, I brush them off and put in shoe trees to keep their shape before placing them in the shoe cabinet. Once a month, I touch up the color with shoe polish and buff them. I don't use any water-repellent or waterproof spray in particular.

The chausser Travel Shoes leave a strong impression thanks to how easy they are to use, as told by someone who wears them regularly. Made in Japan and carefully crafted by skilled artisans, these are a pair to be proud of.

▽ The rain shoes introduced here

Men's TRAVEL SHOES Straight Tip Rain BL