At first glance, it looks ordinary, but it’s incredibly well thought out.
—The “LOW BASKET SG” is being released as an item exclusive to FINE VULCANIZED series flagship stores. What do you think of it?
Kaji: They’re ordinary in a good way, aren’t they? If I saw someone wearing them without knowing anything about them, I’d probably want to ask, “Where did you get those shoes?” They’re basic, but there’s something about them that catches your eye. I’m actually trying them on right now, and they feel incredibly comfortable.
Ebe: It’s in a whole different league compared to shoes made using the standard vulcanization process, isn’t it?
Yamada: The original concept stemmed from the idea of creating a special product available exclusively at our company-operated stores, including our online store. As *Moonstar*, we take pride in having supported the feet of so many people over the years. Building on that legacy, we aimed to create something that is both timeless and exceptionally comfortable, while also exuding a sense of sophistication—and the result is this “LOW BASKET SG.”
Ebe: Since it's made of leather, it really does look elegant, doesn't it?
Yamada: Since more and more people have been wearing leather shoes lately, I thought I’d like to use leather. However, stiff leather takes a long time to break in, and by the time you get used to it, the outsole may already be worn down, shortening the shoe’s lifespan. I’ve had some bitter experiences with that myself.
—So that’s why you use soft leather.
Yamada: They’ve commissioned a tannery in Himeji to produce this soft, supple leather.
Ebe: So that's what affects how comfortable they are to wear.
Yamada: Another distinctive feature is the use of a sole that has been baked once, known as a “molded sole.”
Kaji: Mold base?
The one on the left is a molded sole, and the one on the right is a rolled sole. We use them depending on the characteristics of the shoe.
Yamada: There are two types of outsoles: “molded soles” and “curved soles.” While curved soles, with their curved shape, offer a comfortable fit that feels like traditional Japanese tabi socks, molded soles provide high durability and stability, with a flat sole surface. In other words, because the base is so solid, it’s easier to build up layers. In this model, we’ve added two layers of cushioning on top of that, and beneath those two layers, we’ve inserted a sheet of stiff material that extends from the heel to the arch area.
A cross-section of the “LOW BASKET SG.” It combines cushioning that resists compression with cushioning that offers excellent rebound, delivering both durability and a comfortable fit.
Why is that?
Yamada: If it were just cushioning, you’d sink in too much, so we’ve designed it to serve a similar function to the shank in leather shoes.
Ebe: Isn't it bad to sink too deep?
Yamada: They do feel really soft and cushiony, but wearing them for long periods of time can be tiring. Also, it compromises stability when walking, so we’ve intentionally limited that feature.
Kaji: At first glance, it looks ordinary, but it’s actually incredibly well thought out, isn’t it?
Yamada: I really do think that *Moonstar* is a brand with a character that fits right into everyday life. In that sense, I wanted to create products that are ordinary yet somehow different, and that’s how this came about.
