Deep dive into Japanese brands! A tour of famous leather shoe stores with GENSEI & Nin [Madras Edition]

A recommended itinerary to enjoy Japanese leather shoes

To fully enjoy the world of Japanese leather shoes, this series will visit the directly managed stores of six companies: REGAL, HARUTA, Otsuka Shoes, Toritsu Shoes, MADRAS, and EIZO! This is the third installment, and we will focus on the Madras store, which makes leather shoes using unique techniques.

Madras Ginza Store: Providing superior comfort through unique technology

This time, we visited the Madras Ginza store, located in a prime location in Ginza. The store, which was renovated last year, is a concept shop specializing in Madras's unique recovery insole material, "meta insole®."

The store only stocks models equipped with meta insoles. To maximize the effectiveness of the recovery insoles, they first check Ning's foot pressure with a foot pressure measuring device. Foot pressure is the pressure on the soles of the feet, and reflects the way you walk and stand. Madras' strength is that they use the measurements to suggest shoe selections that are best suited to each individual customer.

According to the store manager, Wakasa, Nin's center of gravity (foot pressure) tends to be on her right heel. "Meta insoles are not only comfortable to wear, but also have the ability to distribute foot pressure, so they are recommended for people with an uneven center of gravity."

Ning:
It's true that when I walk for a long time, my right leg gets tired easily! It's also an opportunity to reflect on my posture and how I stand, which I don't usually notice.

The technology developed for leather shoes is now available for sneakers, bringing new appeal to meta insoles®

Inside the store, there is an exhibit of "Crystal Gel®," the super-flexible gel material used in meta insoles®. When you actually touch it, you'll find that its bouncy softness is addictive.

The meta insole® was developed to improve the comfort of leather shoes, which tend to make you tired due to their structure, but in recent years, this technology has also been incorporated into leather sneakers! While reflecting the technology cultivated in leather shoes, Madras has established its own unique style that suits a wider range of occasions.

◆The shoes chosen by the two are here

The two chose matching new leather sneakers. Made from high-quality cowhide, the meta insole® supports the arch of the foot, reducing fatigue. It also corrects posture and supports walking.

Leather sneakers (M560MT/26,400 yen)

Leather sneakers (MS560MT/26,400 yen)

■Madras Ginza store

Address: 5-8-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (1 minute walk from Exit A5 of Tokyo Metro Ginza Station)

Business hours: 11:00-20:00

Inquiries: 03-3571-1200

Madras official website ( https://www.madras.co.jp/shop/default.aspx )

■What is the Japan Shoe Manufacturers Association?

This non-profit organization aims to provide and popularize high-quality leather shoes that are suited to the Japanese climate and Japanese feet. They are involved in a wide range of activities, including providing information on the specifications and quality of leather shoes, formulating the Japanese Leather Shoe Standards (JIS), and addressing environmental issues that arise during the leather shoe manufacturing process. Their goal going forward is to further develop Japanese leather shoes amid increasingly fierce international competition.

Participating companies: Iwate Shoes, Eizo, Otsuka Shoes, Kyowa Kogyo, Chiyoda Shoes, Toritsu Shoes, Haruta, Madras, Miyagi Haruta Shoes, Regal Corporation (in alphabetical order)

Article reprinted from:

FASHIONSNAP Part 1 https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/jsma-vol-1/

FASHIONSNAP Part 2 https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/jsma-vol-2/