The story of Onitsuka Tiger Vol.3

In fact, walking is more important

Tetsuya Tanaka says that the most important thing about driving shoes is how easy they are to walk in. He says that the Mexico 66 Driving shoes have a thin sole but offer solid cushioning. — Tetsuya Tanaka walks around town wearing the Mexico 66 Driving shoes. He says that even when it comes to driving shoes, the most important thing is that they are comfortable to walk in.

In the previous issue, we mentioned that there is no clear definition of what constitutes a driving shoe, but what do professional racing drivers think? We asked Tetsuya Tanaka, who was walking around Marunouchi early in the morning wearing Onits Tiger’s first driving shoes, the Mexico 66 Driving.

“I’ve tried a variety of driving shoes. Of course, ease of driving is important, but walking is even more important. Even with driving shoes, I think you spend more time walking in them than you do walking in your everyday life.”

Tanaka himself says that there are many shoes that he has tried out but ended up not wearing.

“I think a lot of people have probably experienced this: when you walk, your feet hurt a little, and there’s not enough cushioning. When that happens, you stop using them.”

So what impression did you have of “Mexico 66 Driving”?

“The sole is thin, of course, but I was surprised that you don’t even notice its thinness. It really feels like it absorbs shock and is soft. It’s really easy to walk in.”

The midsole of these shoes is made of a highly resilient material, while the insole is made of a highly cushioned material, which is designed to provide a comfortable fit, and it appears to be working effectively. Also, by raising the heel by a few millimeters, people naturally lean forward, making it easier to stand and walk. This shoe is a culmination of Onitsuka Tiger’s unique know-how, which has been building stylish shoes with thin soles for a long time.

Perfect balance, not too tight

Heel stability and feel around the base of the big toe are especially important in driving shoes. Moderate tightness is also important.

So, what points does Mr. Tanaka consider important when it comes to driving?

“The heel is the fulcrum for pedal operation, so it needs to be stable and stable. At the same time, it needs to move smoothly when you change pedals. In particular, delicate control is required when operating the accelerator of a car with good response like the Revuelto, which was the test car we drove today, so the touch and feeling around the base of the thumb is also a major factor.”

The other day, we had Mr. Tanaka drive a sports car for a photo shoot for our magazine, but he actually stepped on the wrong pedal.

“That day, I happened to be wearing shoes with thick soles, and when I stepped on the brakes in a sports car with tight pedal spacing, my shoes hit the accelerator pedal, causing the engine to rev up. That was when I really realized how important driving shoes are.”

Even professional drivers make such mistakes sometimes.

“I think narrowness is an important element in driving shoes. However, if they are too tight, your feet will get tired easily. So I think it’s important to find the right balance between slim but not too tight. These driving shoes hit the spot perfectly, and they give the impression of hugging your feet without being too tight. Over time, they feel like they’re becoming more and more comfortable.”

Shoes are the point of contact between people and cars

"I've also made pedal mistakes because of my shoes. Shoes are very important when driving," says Tanaka, especially in sports cars where the foot space is tight. — “I’ve also made pedal mistakes because of my shoes. Shoes are very important when driving,” says Tanaka, especially in sports cars where the foot space is tight.

The Onitsuka Tiger Stripe is made by attaching three-dimensionally embroidered parts, eliminating any incongruity such as seams. — [1]

The wrap-around sole creates stable pedal work, and the Tiger metal plate creates a luxurious feel. — [1]

The upper is made of high-quality leather, which provides a soft yet secure fit. The familiar Onitsuka Tiger stripe is not sewn directly onto the shoe, but is embroidered and attached to prevent the leather from shrinking, and great care has been taken to ensure that the seams do not cause any discomfort to the foot. Tanaka continues:

“Stitches are a very important element. This is true for shoes, and there are many different types of racing gloves, such as top-stitched and bottom-stitched. Drivers have different preferences, but we pay a lot of attention to them. Gloves and shoes are the points of contact that link the driver and the car, so it goes without saying that they are of the utmost importance even for ordinary drivers.”

Tanaka then spoke about the similarities between the racing shoes he has worn countless times over his 35 years as a professional driver and the Mexico 66 Driving.

“Racing shoes are designed specifically for racing on circuits, so they don’t have any cushioning in the soles, and many of them hurt your feet after wearing them all day, making you want to take them off. But there are shoes like this that are soft but hold your feet in place, so your feet don’t hurt. Wearing these shoes all day reminded me of this commonality.”

The appeal of a brand that has perfected shoes

Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66 DRIVING／White — “Many driving shoes are just for show, but there’s a difference when they’re made by a brand that knows shoes inside and out,” says Tetsuya Tanaka, who is very satisfied with the Mexico 66 Driving.

Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66 DRIVING／Black — “Many driving shoes are just for show, but there’s a difference when they’re made by a brand that knows shoes inside and out,” says Tetsuya Tanaka, who is very satisfied with the Mexico 66 Driving.

Finally, he told me this story.

“There’s probably some debate about how sensitive pedal operation is required in driving shoes, but these shoes at least have a good enough feel that they can be used in races. But they’re not racing shoes, so walking in them is important. I’ve worn a lot of driving shoes made by racing gear brands, but I feel like a lot of them are just for the shape. On the other hand, these are driving shoes made by a brand that really knows shoes, so when I walked in them I was impressed.”

REPORT/Taichi FUJINO

PHOTO/Kunihisa KOBAYASHI