SUPERDENIM SMALL QUESTIONS THREAD (Use instead of making new threads)

[OutSider]

6 hours ago, reallypeacedoff said:

Yeah, anything you'd recommend?

Buyee has always worked well for me

Just had to add them as their own store.

Just did that ordering from Flat Head through Buyee

Edited April 3 by OutSider

[mlwdp]

One thing I’ve noticed is SHOP is coming into the fore front as a proxy service.  Sometimes they’re already attached to the website just like the US sites.

[julian-wolf]

^ Do they ever act as a proxy service, or are more domestic Japanese shops just using them to handle logistics for international orders?

[mlwdp]

Handling logistics, they make things convenient IMO.  They can do CC/PayPal etc as payment options and track packages via EMS/USPS.    I see shops like Snake Oil and Canoe Club using them as a option and slowly a few overseas shops are using it as a option. 
 

And they got an app to boot!

 

[reallypeacedoff]

A bunch of the shops I have tried are on Shop but still, no international delivery for the item I wanted.

[Double 0 Soul]

I'd suggest using a proxy with a search bar (Zen for instance) select the Rakuten option and run the search through there using the product code.

..or just post it up here and someone will find it for you.. folks here can find the impossible.

[knucks]

Yep, tariffs very much a thing and DHL/FedEx/UPS still take their "processing fee" cuts as well.
It was worth it, though. Timing would not have worked out for me Japan trip to get it/time it right. Now I get to travel to Japan _with_ it

 

[ATWM]

I'd like to try some Sashiko for mending. Anyone have any good kits they recommend to start with? 

[Maynard Friedman]

^ @ATWM - I’ve bought sashiko thread from this Etsy seller - they’re UK based so possibly of no direct use to you, but should give you a good idea of what’s widely available.

[julian-wolf]

@ATWM You might check your local knitting / crafts shops to start, but if you don’t have any luck there, I can strongly recommend some of the options from A Verb For Keeping Warm, in my neck of the woods. They ship to wherever, and you’d be supporting cool folks—plus they stock Buaisou wares, which is a bit unique

[reallypeacedoff]

Well, I finally picked up some overalls. Went with the SDA D1911. Without mentioning who, I asked for a lower declared price, and DHL still charged me $100 today for customs clearance, even at 66% off the actual price on the package! Highway robbery.

Planning on getting them hemmed after a few wears and a wash. Use the offcuts to add some belt loops. TCB was looking great but the inseam lengths for me were hard to guage if they would fit. Plus, realised I wanted something +14oz or so. 

[julian-wolf]

1 hour ago, reallypeacedoff said:

DHL still charged me $100

Don’t shoot the messenger, only like $17 of that went to DHL

[Double 0 Soul]

The rest goes towards ending entire civilisations 

[ATWM]

My current birkenstocks are just about beyond anything but taking out the trash slides, and I'm curious to see if there are good options with better leather out there. 

I was looking at Tokyo Sandal, but curious if anyone has feedback sizing with them (or rolling dub trio, their owner). 

Or if there are other makers of sandals that people like that tend to age well. I'm more looking for sandals as opposed to another clog, not trying to find a pricey Japanese repro of the Boston. 

[mlwdp]

Zerrows makes sandals that tend to age well.  They are pricey though and hard to get.

Edited April 9 by mlwdp

[julian-wolf]

Not really the question you asked, but Frank’s, out of Spokane, has a repair shop that’s officially authorized (whatever that means) to work on + rebuild Birks, and I’d bet that they’d be able to use nicer leather for new straps on special request

[Maynard Friedman]

My last 3 pairs of Birks sandals (Arizonas) have all been suede. I find it much nicer than the smooth leather.

[ATWM]

2 hours ago, julian-wolf said:

Not really the question you asked, but Frank’s, out of Spokane, has a repair shop that’s officially authorized (whatever that means) to work on + rebuild Birks, and I’d bet that they’d be able to use nicer leather for new straps on special request

I have a wool pair I may resole if I don't mess up the cork too badly first, but my leather pair has gone to my pup, quite literally, there's no rescuing those at this point. They were pretty trashed to begin with so I made them the sacrificial chewer. 

Admittedly I am curious about just something a little off the beaten path if I have to get something for summer, but I do have a local birk shop I guess it's worth popping in first to make sure. 

[redragon]

10 hours ago, ATWM said:

I was looking at Tokyo Sandal, but curious if anyone has feedback sizing with them (or rolling dub trio, their owner). 

I have 2 pairs of their Sandals, usually wear 8,5 in RDT Coupen,

I take size 9 as they don’t do half size, pretty relax, nice fit.

[ATWM]

6 hours ago, redragon said:

I have 2 pairs of their Sandals, usually wear 8,5 in RDT Coupen,

I take size 9 as they don’t do half size, pretty relax, nice fit.

Thanks! Do you typically wear a 41 or 42 in euro size? 

[Broark]

Following along, I've been after something similar for some time now and haven't found much.
I wear Birks quite frequently especially now that I work from home full time.
I can never seem to find any Tokyo Sandals available in my size, I've also considered trying out the Aurora Shoe Co. Middle English but that's a clog.
Particularly like the roughout version that Drake's and a couple other retailers carry.
Horseman Joe makes some nice ones but they're pricey, similar to Tokyo Sandals.

[redragon]

@ATWM I am usually 27 cm in Jp size, not sure how to translate that to euro size 😅

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

@ATWM kotoka have some sandal options

Edited April 12 by Hopethisoneisnttaken

[ATWM]

On 4/10/2026 at 7:48 AM, Broark said:

Horseman Joe makes some nice ones

Ended up ordering a pair in natural cxl, so will report back when I receive them. They led me to believe production time should be rather short, a week or so is all.

I found the price reasonable enough for what they look to be. I don’t love sandals in general but they end up getting worn so much and the amount of time our family spends at the beach in the summer etc, so might as well get something a little more suitable I can enjoy. This is my first time ordering any sort of footwear from Japan so I’m keeping my expectations measured until I try them on. 

[Broark]

Sweet, looking forward to seeing how they turn out!

[Alec Leamas]

Yeah me too! They look really nice and actually - for a pair of made to order shoes, in that leather, it's a really good price - if your experience turns out positively I may well have to order a pair myself. I've been endlessly browsing second hand (ideally unused) pairs of leather Birks for months now

[ATWM]

Jun (horseman Joe) just emailed me to say they were finished and will be posted now. He sent me this photo. Can't make an end assessment of course but they look quite nice from here.

In the US my birks have mostly come second hand (unused or barely used) from the more popular/mass market thrift sites like Poshmark, Thredup, etc, not sure how the 2nd hand market would be in the UK but worth a look! 

Edited April 15 by ATWM

[Broark]

They look great, might've pushed me to finally grab a pair.
I think it was Duke that tipped me off on them years ago.

[ATWM]

yea, may as well wait til I receive but if Duke rec'd that's a good start. Like I said I'm not really a sandals guy so if I like them beyond necessity it will be significant.

I just can't count how many times I don't even have time to lace up shoes when I'm leaving the house etc...literally being yanked by a dog or child or both is how I often find myself exiting. I am hoping this minor thing makes those exits slightly more workable. 

[mlwdp]

Can I sell/auction through Buyee/yahoo JP auctions as an American?  I have some stuff that won’t sell here but will overseas minus EBay.