Stylish ballet shoes for rainy days, too. We tried on and compared Chausser's TRAVEL SHOES Ballet Shoes Rain.

Chausser's TRAVEL SHOES series is a perennial favorite among ZUTTO customers during the rainy season. We've introduced various types—lace-up styles, lace-up shoes with heels, and strap shoes—but this time the star of the show is the especially popular ballet shoe type.

"I'm drawn to leather shoes that hold up on rainy days, but aren't ballet shoes hard to walk in?"

We do get inquiries like this from customers. The truth is, when you look at the ballet shoe category as a whole, you can't simply answer yes or no. Depending on the shoe, people with wider-than-average feet may find the sides uncomfortable, thin soles can make feet tire more quickly, and an ill fit can cause the shoes to slip off with each step. With materials other than genuine leather, shoes often don't mold to your feet well, which can lead to blisters and other discomfort.

Even so, this TRAVEL SHOES Ballet Shoes Rain is one we can confidently recommend as "easy to walk in, convenient, and genuinely good shoes." Let's start by looking at what makes these ballet shoes special.

What is TRAVEL SHOES?

The TRAVEL SHOES series featured here is genuine leather footwear, yet it's fine to wear on rainy days. The secret to why leather shoes can be so rain-resistant lies in how the leather is processed. During the dyeing process, fluororesin is worked into the fibers themselves, strengthening both durability and water resistance, while the surface also receives a waterproof treatment. This repels water while still allowing air through, so breathability is maintained as well. With rubber rain shoes, the inside can get stuffy on rainy days during hot weather, but this TRAVEL SHOES series greatly reduces that problem.

Even though they can be worn in the rain, these shoes don't have the look of rubber rain shoes at all—from the outside, they appear to be genuine leather through and through. With a slightly matte leather finish, the quality is such that it's hard to believe these ballet shoes actually repel rain.

The outsole uses a durable Vibram sole, offering excellent durability and grip. Chausser's TRAVEL SHOES uses "ICETREK," a Vibram compound known for its particularly high grip performance. It maintains flexibility even below freezing and delivers excellent traction even on icy ground. Ballet shoes tend to have thinner soles than other types of footwear, so having a high-grip sole like this greatly improves ease of walking.

This is an item we'd love for anyone searching for rain shoes—or anyone who has given up on ballet shoes because they never fit right—to try at least once. That said, we also get quite a few questions about how to choose the right size. So our staff tried on these ballet shoes themselves and reviewed which size fit best.

Ballet Shoes: Which Size Should You Choose?

These are the three staff members who tried on Chausser's ballet shoes this time. With different heights and foot sizes among the three, let's see which size each of them chose.

Staff Member O, Height 152cm

Usual sneaker size: 22.5–23cm

Usual pump size: 23cm

Instep height: Average

Foot width: Slightly wide

Size chosen: 37 (23.5cm)

Since my feet are a bit on the wide side, size 37 (23.5cm)—half a centimeter up from my usual pump size—fit perfectly. With sneakers, 22.5cm sometimes fits just right, but shoes with a narrower toe box can feel tight, so going up half a size was the right call. This size 37 works well when worn barefoot or with stockings, but if you plan to wear socks, you might want to go up one more size.

"The piping feels fresh, and I think it's actually easier to style than plain white ballet shoes!"

Staff Member K, Height 162cm

Usual sneaker size: 23.5–24cm

Usual pump size: 23.5cm

Instep height: Average

Foot width: Slightly wide

Size chosen: 40 (25cm)

With regular pumps, I often feel the opening press against my toes painfully, or feel so constricted I can't wear them at all—but I think size 40 would work even for people with concerns like mine. Since I wanted to wear these with socks, I went up two sizes (1cm) from my usual pump size, but thanks to the deep instep and the somewhat cushioned insole, they fit without any issues. Walking around a bit, they feel like they hug my feet, my heels don't slip at all, and they're really easy to walk in!

"Paired with an O'NEIL OF DUBLIN linen skirt, it looks lovely and summery!"

Staff Member T, Height 167cm

Usual sneaker size: 23.5–24cm

Usual pump size: 23.5cm

Instep height: Average

Foot width: Average

Size chosen: 38 (24cm)

My foot width is normal (maybe a touch on the narrow side?), so I get a comfortable fit at my usual size, but the 37 (23.5cm) I normally choose in pumps felt tight. Unlike pumps or the usual ballet shoes, the insole is quite substantial, so if you don't have wide feet, it might be better to go with a larger sneaker size. Personally, I found them roomy, so if that's a concern, I think adjusting the opening with the ribbon or wearing socks could help.

"Ballet shoes tend to be tiring, but these are easy to walk in."

【Trying Them On】

When we tried matching sizes this time, all three staff members agreed on one thing: "They're designed to fit snugly so they won't flop around." If you feel your foot width is a little wide, it seems best to choose 0.5cm above your usual sneaker size. The insole of the Travel Shoes is designed to be soft and comfortable even when worn nearly barefoot, and we found that choosing based on sneaker size gave a better fit than going by pumps or other ballet shoe sizing. On the other hand, for those with narrow to normal foot width, there's a chance the shoes will flop around, so it's best to choose your usual sneaker size. Since they're leather, they'll mold to your feet to some extent, so unless your toes curl up or they're too tight to walk in, we recommend going with a snug fit.

Model worn this time: TRAVEL SHOES Ballet Shoes Rain WH/NY

The TRAVEL SHOES Ballet Shoes Rain WH/NY, with its cute navy piping. Some staff thought at first glance that the shoe alone might look like something for more advanced fashion styling, but when paired with clothing, they found it easier to coordinate with outfits than pure white shoes, and generally more versatile. We especially recommend it for those who often wear black or navy clothing and want to brighten up their footwear. We also heard that the gray piping type is easy to wear and gets a lot of use. The silver is also lovely, as it goes with any color.

All of these are popular colors, and they sell out every time they're restocked.

TRAVEL SHOES Ballet Shoes Rain BL

Trying them on in person, the staff once again realized their appeal goes beyond just their cute appearance. While the focus tends to be on the fact that "they're made of genuine leather but can still be worn on rainy days," being water-resistant also means being stain-resistant. This is especially reassuring with white shoes, where stains are usually a concern, since you can walk without worrying too much. When we actually asked someone from the brand about this, they shared an episode where an oil stain that got on a pair of white Travel Shoes came off beautifully with a cleaner, which was impressive. Scratches and scuffs behave the same as with ordinary leather, but the resistance to stains is a welcome feature in both sunny and rainy weather.

We currently carry 4 colors in total. Please use the staff's wear reviews as a reference to find the perfect pair for you. Even if the size doesn't fit, returns and exchanges are possible as long as the shoes have only been tried on, so please feel free to give them a try. (If stock is unavailable, a return may be processed instead of an exchange.)

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