I WEAR JIKA–TABI [地下足袋]

[danii]

@SnazzyMcghee share the intel right now, also if anyone else jika-tabi fitpics or kind words to encourage others in wearing them, let's make this the place.

Edited February 3, 2018 by danii

[Flatearther]

yesss... frogman tech is finally here...

[Dolphinski]

Goretex upper on a vibram sole plz.

[SnazzyMcghee]

//JIKATABI WRITEUP PENDING//

You picked a busy day to summon me, I'll make an in depth info dump tonight when I get home. 

[brainerd666]

Stotz and Vibram for me please:D

[SnazzyMcghee]

//JIKATABI INFO DUMP//

RETAILERS/SELLERS: Japan-Zone, Jika-Tabi.com, SOU SOU, Maison Margiela, Assaboots, Ayya Wear,  Amazon, Ebay. 

In my experience Japan Zone has the most to offer in terms of selection, never had any shipping issues either, cant speak to the others as I haven't ordered from them.

BRANDS/MANUFACTURERES: Rikio, Suokaido, Marugo, Takesyo, SOU SOU, Ayya Wear, Lafeet, Maison Margiela, Abasi Rosborough,

There are typically three different types or styles of Tabi that you can find with the first three makers listed, those being:

• The traditional and most recognizable style, ranging from knee height to below the ankle, usually very thin soled with minimal padding unless stated otherwise.   
• The Safety Tabi, these are tabi that are outfitted with various levels of protection ranging from a resin or steel toe cap, spiked/reinforced tread, big bulky straps, or all three. 
• The Sneaker Style, much more like running shoes, thicker soles, laces, designs akin to your typical New Balance or Asics.  

BACKGROUND ON ME AND MY TABI EXPERIENCES/RIKIO VS SUOKAIDO:

My first pair of Jikatabi were passed down to me from my Dad (yes seriously he used to wear them for rock climbing and hiking in his teens) I wore them sparingly and not in public.  They were from Suokaido and are probably the most common tabi in the US, velcro fastened with a very thin sole, the rubber wasnt flexible and they didnt fit very well in the calf.  Eventually I wanted another pair, something with more padding and a more adjustable fit.  I bought a pair of Rikio Fighter Tabi and found them to be much more comfortable and well fitted in the leg, the sole was still quite thin so I bought a pair of insoles and cut a split in them to match the tabi design.  After a year of solid everyday wear my custom insoles had to be replaced twice, the tread was holding up just fine and so was the stitching but I decided I wanted another pair.  The summer rolled around and I bought a pair of Rikio Air Fit Short, these have a padded insole built for shock absorption and comfort.  The padding is glued to the sole from the inside and it gives the entire shoe a more rigid fit that forms to your foot and gives you arch support, the rubber sole is soft but strong, it holds up against asphalt but will still bend with your foot instead of restricting it.  The most comfortable shoe I've ever worn, I've had two pair in the last 3 years, the first being the initial pair I bought which lasted me 2 years with constant everyday wear, the other is still in near perfect condition after a year of 80% daily wear.

CLOSING/SHUT UP ALREADY:

Theres many different Tabi to choose from in various colors and styles, I hope this long post will help you narrow down a pair that suit you.  Feel free to DM me with any questions or post them here, I'd be happy to help.

//JIKATABI INFO DUMP//  

-5

[danii]

NOT-APPROVED BY GIRLFRIEND THO

Edited February 4, 2018 by danii

[SnazzyMcghee]

That was fast!  They'll grow on her, they look better once they're broken in too 

[Dolphinski]

18 minutes ago, SnazzyMcghee said:

That was fast!  They'll grow on her, they look better once they're broken in too 

The shoes or the girlfriend?

[Dolphinski]

So I was in Maha yesterday chatting to the always helpful staff and those Maha Tabi's are definitely dropping as part of SS18 in black and a limited edition olive. Here's some pics of the ones used in the runway show (that were hand painted!). I bought the triple pack of Tabi socks in preparation anyway (and to wear with my air rifts!).

 

[TEKsevenZERO]

Nice one G, congrats too on the no.1 spot!

 

Do the Rifts still come with the tabi socks like they used too?

[Dolphinski]

Haha cheers dude! I don't believe the Rifts have come with socks for many years now. I tried to get some from Nike a while ago and they said they'd stopped doing them...but still sold the rifts!

[SnazzyMcghee]

Cool stuff Dolphinski, the olive looks rad.  In case you or anyone else wants a pair before the Maha SS18 drop, Marugo has had them out for a while sans olive cw.  Heres the shorter version in black, white, and navy, and then the taller version in black or white.

[the-intern]

Really interested in picking up some Tabi's in the future. I mostly wear 'barefoot' style shoes and there's only one barefoot style winter boot I've come across.

It's more of a techwear type of execution to the simplicity of the tabis I'm seeing talked about in this thread... Although without the split toe.

The boots I refer to are the Kuuva from a company in Finland called Feelmax: http://store.feelmax.com/kuuva-4-hiking-boot

I dont have any pics of them on my feet but I found this pic on Google:

Much like traditional Tabis these boots have no heel-drop or midsole:

 

[danii]

in other barefoot news I tried the fivefingers yesterday (JUST FOR GYM) and they did not fit my mutant feet so it was kind of a relief for my girlfriend cause she can't stand them. So my chances of getting laid are not that harmed yet (but haven't told her about the tabis yet:D)

[SnazzyMcghee]

Although I think the five fingers are hideous, the socks that have all the toes separated are really comfortable, I recommend those instead of tabi socks.  

[danii]

these are the best looking (yet pricey) jika tabis I saw, sold out but available to order in next batch.

 

http://abasirosborough.com/store/arcapollotabiboot

Edited April 5, 2018 by danii

[danii]

in other news I got my tabis from japanstore but so far I did not have much time to wear them (my doggo scratched my finger right where tabi goes). First impressions are not that good: the heel is kinda low and not supportive and the sock pack I bought is pretty thick and it does not feel very secure, I guess I need another pair for my mutant feet.

[the-intern]

I'd suggest looking into transition barefoot shoes/boots.

Many of the more extreme barefoot brands offer a transition model which helps support the foot as you learn to walk correctly instead of landing hard on your heels.

The Belville MiniMil is a great barefoot boot, and they have a transition model available as well!

https://www.bellevilleboot.com/mini-mil-trade.php

Day to day I only wear barefoot style footwear with no support, no heel->toe drop, and lots of flexibility. I personally prefer this style far beyond typical footwear. however it took about a year to make the switch fully.

 

 

 

For those interested in barefoot style footwear like Tabis and Huarches and such... my personal favorite shoe which I wear and run in everyday are the SoleRunner FX Trainers.

https://www.sole-runner-shop.com/en/fx-trainer-4-black-red-unisex/a-301210/

 

[SnazzyMcghee]

Sorry to hear that danii, hopefully they'll grow on you, they are quite minimal.  

[AvantSol]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiPZ1lVAITK/

[moneytalks]

anybody bought the margiela flat tabi boots? just received mine and they are AWESOME but i am a bit conflicted about whether i should add protection to the leather soles...

 

here's a picture to show u how sex they are

[jeddyhsu]

Visvim Tabi Sashiko-Folk. Found a pair on Grailed a few years ago but haven't seen a pair since. Regret not pulling the trigger, guess I'll have to stick with my wypipo toe hiking shoes.

 

Edited February 18, 2019 by jeddyhsu

[moneytalks]

used to really want a pair of the visvim sashiko folk and was actually actively shopping around for a pair until i saw that they finally made a flat soled version of the margiela tabis for men – i'm glad i held out

 

[conqueror]

make sure you do the played out cigarette photo shoot asap.

Edited February 19, 2019 by conqueror

[moneytalks]

1 minute ago, conqueror said:

make sure you do the played out cigarette photo shoot asap.

unfortunately i have quit smoking
that said, a cigarette is the best fashion accessory, and the meme value of a tabi-gripped cigarette is pretty damned high

[moneytalks]

(i'll post one with my vape...)

[hentaiyarou69]

heh cameltoe

[kenwiryadi]

What tabi socks yall wear and buy from?

[Dolphinski]

I've got Nike and Maharishi ones.