This time, we'll be focusing on four brands: the British giants Church's and Crockett & Jones, the Spanish-made Carmina , and the domestically produced Sanyo Yamacho . We've picked out classic and popular models from these four brands, each with completely different origins, lasts, leathers, and designs.

Fukuda: One of the appeals of the men's shoes priced at 19,000 yen and 30,000 yen that I introduced previously is the certainty of a universally comfortable fit that everyone will find easy to wear. However, there are a hundred different foot shapes for a hundred different people. The four brands of shoes I will be discussing this time, in addition to their well-established comfort, also have an added element of "emotional sympathy," such as the brand's identity and the atmosphere the shoes exude.
Tabata: Indeed, "emotional empathy" is a way of expressing the value that high-end shoes possess.
Fukuda: One of the values of these shoes is the "model name." For example, you might want to wear Church's "Consul," or choose SANYO YAMACHO 's "Tomojiro" because you like Japanese-made products. The name itself fosters a sense of attachment. You can also feel the craftsman's desire to "create an even better Consul."
Tashiro: In British shoes, these are called "pet names," and each model is given a name from these grades onwards. Having a unique pet name instead of a mass-produced model number means that, for example, when someone asks, "What shoes are you wearing?", you can answer, "They're Crockett & Jones' 'Audrey'," which makes you feel special, doesn't it?
Saito: Even without saying it out loud, it gives you confidence that you're wearing good shoes.


Tashiro: The shoes I've chosen this time prioritize brand and design value over production efficiency, so they might not be for everyone. However, once you find a last that fits your feet perfectly, you'll feel a strong desire to wear these shoes from this brand.
Tabata: I've been with the company for 14 years, and I've always worn and maintained shoes of this grade; I've never thrown away a pair. They're all 10 years old and still going strong. Because they're made with the Goodyear welt construction, the insole molds to the three-dimensional shape of your foot, changing shape and improving the fit over time, which is really enjoyable.
Tashiro: That's true. These kinds of shoes are the kind that you only really appreciate after you've had them for 5 or 6 years. They become a staple in your daily shoe selection rotation, and while you might wear them less and less after about 10 years, they still serve as a reliable backup.
Saito: So when I wear them occasionally, the feelings I had when I bought them come flooding back (laughs).
Shoes from Tabata costing 19,000 yen or in the 30,000 yen range are comfortable to wear from the start and are "ready to play immediately," but shoes of this grade require careful development to show their true potential, and around the fifth year they might become a "starting pitcher and lead in wins."
Fukuda: That's a good analogy. At first, you might be concerned about the stiffness of the leather upper or the leather sole, but as they mold to your feet, they become your own unique masterpiece that you've nurtured over time.

Next, the most important thing is "sizing." What are the key points to consider when choosing the best pair?