Brandstone's All Terrain now has a low cut!

At the beginning of September, when it was still hot, I came to a certain campground for a photo shoot. Behind the site is a monolithic granite rock, which is a favorite spot for climbers.

During the shoot, which took place in a wild location with gullies and trees falling down, four people actually wore "Brand Stone" low-cut shoes: stylist Naoki Ikeda, photographer Arata Suzuki, hair and makeup artist AMANO, and location bus driver Kiyoshi Ikeda.

The four, who are business associates and also climb mountains together in their private time, have worn a variety of shoes in the past and are experts in gear selection.

Before we get into the functionality and comfort of the shoes, we first asked stylist Naoki Ikeda how to wear "Brand Stone" from a fashion perspective.

This time I styled it with a theme like 'outdoor inspired. It's not quite mountain climbing, but it's so intense that it wouldn't be strange at all when camping. When I was thinking about this coordination, I felt that "Brand Stone" can be taken to any situation. The minimalist design and use of color makes them look like just leather shoes when worn with slacks.

Many people use on rainy days or in camping situations, but there is no need to limit it to those situations. As Naoki Ikeda says, they blend in as leather shoes no matter what the occasion or fashion. Next, he also gave us his impressions after actually wearing them himself.

I thought they would look more rugged, but they were surprisingly voluminous and easy to wear. At first I tried to wear nylon pants, but I thought, rather, it would be better if they were cotton. I personally thought it would be nice to give them some color contrast."

Incidentally, I wore the new "ALL-TERRAIN" low-cut shoes, which are more suited for outdoor scenes among the "Brand Stone" lineup. The literal translation of the English word "ALL-TERRAIN" is "all terrain. In other words, they can be worn on asphalt, on gullies, on muddy off-road terrain, and anywhere in between.

The sole is a special one developed in cooperation with Vibram, with improved grip and a pattern that is less prone to clogging with dirt. Of course, you can also enjoy the unique "Brand Stone" look as they change over time. The leather upper is waterproof, and special rubber is used on the sides, making them waterproof for 6 hours at a depth of 4 cm, which is enough to withstand a little rain.

Now, let's hear what you have to say about BrandStone's new products.

Kiyoshi Ikeda:Really, you didn't slip on the rocks or in the dirt, did you?

Hisashi Ikeda:It did the job, didn't it? I felt like I had a good grip.

Suzuki:I did quite a bit of climbing up and down to find a place to shoot, but I certainly didn't slip.

AMANO:I've been wearing them for about 6 hours now, and I'm getting used to them. To be honest, I'm starting to think that low-cut shoes might be better than high-cut shoes (laughs). (Laughs) They are also lightweight.

Suzuki:I thought I might get shoe sores because I don't shoot in leather shoes. That didn't happen at all. Also, the leather felt softer as time went by, so bending over was no problem at all.

Kiyoshi Ikeda:I used to wear boots a lot when I was younger, but now I don't wear boots at all. They are tiring. But today, I didn't feel like I was wearing leather shoes or boots. I was a little surprised because they were so comfortable and I didn't get tired.

AMANO:I saw quite a few people in the fashion industry wearing them, so I decided to give them a try. They look good.

Hisashi Ikeda:Yes, there is an impression that people who work in a slightly fashionable way are choosing it. The image is that they are careful, but practical. It is for fashion, but more as a tool.

Suzuki:Surprisingly, many women wear them for photo shoots for women's magazines. Especially when it rains.

AMANO:I have a pair of leather shoes, but they are too hard and tired to wear. But there are times when I have to dress nicely for my hair/makeup job. In those cases, they really come in handy. It's like having the best of both worlds.

Hisashi Ikeda:I have to take them off and on a lot, so maybe a studio. Of course it would be nice on rainy days, too.

Suzuki:It's hard to do harsh mountains or fishing, but it's useful for camping and other small outdoor activities. But I appreciate this kind of location the most. I can wear them with gusto, and I don't have to worry about getting them dirty.

AMANO:I often wear "Brand Stone" shoes for ocean shoots, as well as for mountain shoots. There are no unnecessary decorations, so sand doesn't get in at all.

Kiyoshi Ikeda:When I am shooting, I exaggeratedly wear boots even when it is raining lightly. But they are big and bulky to carry around. The "All Terrain" low-cut boots I wore today are waterproof and look good, so from now on I will wear these boots (laughs).

Hisashi Ikeda:You had to put on and take off your clothes many times after dunking in the river, but it was easy to do that, wasn't it?

Kiyoshi Ikeda:Indeed, it was so much easier. Is there a pair of leather shoes that are that stress-free to put on and take off? It's like, "Oh my God, there is no such thing as a leather shoe that is stress-free to put on and off. And they don't mind getting wet.

AMANO:In my mind, "Brandstone" is one of the truly great products, just like "Birkenstock" for sandals or "Rimowa" for suitcases, "Brandstone" is for side gore boots.

Hisashi Ikeda:The fact that they are supported by many discerning staff members, even on unexpectedly tough photo shoots, is proof that they are truly excellent as work boots, and that they do not compromise on fashionability. Low-cut boots are even better. I think they are truly a pair of shoes that have a deep sense of style, and that they can be worn by any person.