Leather sandals you'll want to wear for 10 years, growing more beautiful with age

When summer arrives, sandals become the go-to footwear.
Rubber beach sandals require no upkeep, and
since they're so easy to use, many people probably
buy a new pair each season.
But this time, we'd like to introduce something a bit more special—leather beach
sandals designed with the premise of "long-term use."
The aging that comes from years of loving wear takes on a character that's truly wonderful.

The 40-year history of RAINBOW SANDALS began when
its founder, Jay Longley, came across a sandal
discarded on the beach.
Wanting to solve the problem of beaches being littered
with broken, abandoned beach sandals,
he thought that if there were sandals durable and long-lasting enough,
the beaches wouldn't get dirty—and that thought became
the starting point for making RAINBOW SANDALS.

Driven by the desire to "make the best sandals in the world,"
the brand pursued not just durability but also "comfort" in terms of wearability,
incorporating leather, low-resilience foot pads, and high-performance materials—
a range of careful details—to create the sandals that exist today.

Craftsmanship aimed at solving a specific problem, as with RAINBOW SANDALS,
carries a genuine sense of conviction in the final product,
because it's grounded in a clear awareness of the issue and concrete checkpoints for improvement.
Not born from a designer's ego, nor from the simple notion that something seemed interesting,
a product made with a real purpose has inherent strength—and that, perhaps, is exactly why
we want to keep using it with care for a long time.

Why are RAINBOW SANDALS so easy to wear,
and so highly durable?
Let's explore the reasons.

1. A sole that fits each individual foot
2. Special materials ensure durability
3. A unique, non-slip outsole material
4. Made with top-grain leather

Let's take a closer look at each one.

1. A sole that fits each individual foot

Everyone's feet are shaped differently.
Beyond just shape, walking habits and how weight is distributed also vary from person to person.
RAINBOW SANDALS uses a low-resilience sole,
designed to gradually mold itself to the unique shape of each wearer's foot.

The arch area is also shaped to fit the arch of the foot perfectly.
Because the sole is soft, there's no need to worry about
discomfort from the arch pressing directly against a hard surface.

Here at ZUTTO, we offer two sizes each for men and women.
For men, we've selected the thicker sole type known as the "double arch."

For women, we offer the "single arch," designed with a sleeker, more streamlined look in mind.
Of course, even the single-arch version uses a low-resilience sole,
so it still cushions the impact of each step for comfortable wear.

*Size range
【Men's】
M size: for those with feet measuring 25.5–26.5cm
L size: for those with feet measuring 26.5–27.5cm

【Women's】
S size: for those with feet measuring 22.5–23.5cm
M size: for those with feet measuring 23.5–24.5cm

2. Special materials ensure durability

The toe strap, which bears stress with every step,
is made from mil-spec nylon fabric
and stitched with thread also used in parachutes—capable of
withstanding up to 900kg of force.
Additionally, the strap is designed so the cushioning doesn't peel away and the strap
itself won't pull free, thanks to a construction in which the strap is woven directly into the sole.

3. A unique, non-slip outsole material

Naturally, these leather sandals are stylish enough
to wear around town, but they were originally developed as beach sandals.
With use at the seaside or by the pool—in wet conditions—in mind,
the brand developed its own non-slip outsole material.

4. Made with top-grain leather

Top-grain leather is said to be
one of the strongest types of cowhide.
"Top-grain" refers to
the outermost layer of the hide,
meaning that natural marks such as scars can sometimes be seen—
but that, too, is part of the character of the leather.
Since these are sandals worn against bare feet, the feel of the material
is naturally a concern,
but it has a smooth, wonderfully pleasant texture.

As if to embody the desire for sandals that can be cherished for years,
RAINBOW SANDALS' leather sandals
noticeably change each time summer comes around.

Basking in the strong summer sun, the sandals deepen in color
and gradually become a pair that's uniquely yours, shaped by the care you've given them.

Here we compare a brand-new pair of sandals with a pair worn lovingly for two years.
You can see that the area where the sole meets the foot has darkened and taken on a sheen.
The strap across the top of the foot has molded itself to the wearer's foot shape,
and the toe strap has softened into gentle creases as well.

Some people find the toe strap feels tight when they first start wearing the sandals,
and in that case, stretching or working the leather or nylon of the strap by hand can help.
Please wear them to soften the leather gradually.
As you wear them, the leather will stretch, and you'll be able to actually feel
them becoming even more comfortable to wear.

A brand-new footpad is perfectly straight from heel to toe.
A pair worn lovingly for two years, on the other hand, shows clear
impressions at the heel, arch, and toe, so you can plainly see
how it has taken on the shape of your own foot.
This is exactly what "comfort" feels like—something you can experience for yourself.

Because it's made of leather, the material is durable by nature, but
if you wear it often at the beach or around town during the season
and then simply put it away as is until the next season,
the leather can lose its shine and end up with stains
that won't come out.
Please give it at least a minimum amount of care so you don't end up in
the sad situation of a sandal that isn't broken but is too dirty to wear.

Of course, it doesn't require the kind of delicate maintenance
that leather shoes do, but
・When you notice dirt or stains
・Before long-term storage
are the two times to give it some care.

・Removing dust and sand
Lightly brush the surface to remove dust and sand.
This alone helps maintain the leather's shine
and keeps its appearance looking clean.

・Before long-term storage
This is the care to give before putting them away until the next season.
Brush the entire sandal, and rinse off any dirt
(sand or mud marks) from the outsole.
Check whether any sand has gotten into the thong straps,
then apply an appropriate amount of leather moisturizing cream
to the leather on the sole area and buff it with a dry, soft cloth.

When storing them, be careful: if you store the sandals with the top surfaces
of the left and right pair pressed together, the leather part of the thong strap
can end up crushed and set in that shape, making them
harder to wear when you take them out again next summer.
We recommend storing them in a box or paper bag in a well-ventilated
spot, making sure not to place anything on top of the sandals.