What are postman shoes? An explanation of the details of the “real thing” and recommended models!

Postman shoes” have the look and feel of leather shoes, but are comfortable like sneakers. In this issue, we focus on “postman shoes” and introduce their features and recommended models!

Rooted in American postmen's shoesRed Wing's 'Postman Shoes'

Postman shoes are shoes developed by Red Wing in the 1950s to allow postmen to work comfortably for long hours. The shoes were developed by Red Wing in the 1950s so that mail carriers could work comfortably for extended periods of time. At that time, mail carriers in the U.S. often walked on foot for long periods of time in a vast country, in a variety of weather and terrain, so the emphasis was on ensuring ease of walking, durability, and stability. Red Wing responded to these needs by creating the ” 101,” a shoe that combines a sturdy leather upper with a rubber sole that offers high walking performance.

Find Postman Shoes

At a quick glance, it looks like a common external-blade plain-toe leather shoe. What is the difference between postman shoes and the rest?

The basic design of the Postman shoe, which is based on Red Wing’s ” 101,” is a simple looking shoe with an external-blade plain-toe leather upper and a flat rubber sole. The major difference between this shoe and the typical external-blade plain-toe leather shoe is the flat sole. Leather shoes with rubber soles have increased considerably in the past few years, but flat soles are unique to postman shoes. The upper material is glass leather, which is easy to care for and resistant to water. For postmen who had to go out every day to make deliveries even on rainy days, the sturdiness of these shoes, which could be worn all day long without worrying about the weather, must have been extremely appreciated.

Finding Postman Shoes

The flat rubber soles were not only comfortable to walk on, but also prevented damage to the lawn when walking through the yard to the mailbox, and prevented the thumping sound of leather-soled shoes.

Editor Izumi

Leather shoes with flat soles like sneakers are hard to find, and although it is an inconspicuous point, I think it is the greatest feature of postman shoes. Recently, there are some stores that sell plain toe shoes without flat soles as “postman shoes” and introduce them as recommended models, but if you know the correct history and background as described above, you will understand that such shoes are not genuine. If you want a “real postman shoe,” you should choose a shoe with well-designed details, such as Red Wing’s “101.

The following is a selection of postman shoes with well-designed details!

Five recommended models of postman shoes.

Postman Shoes Recommendation #1Red Wing #101 POSTMAN OXFORD

As mentioned at the beginning, the Red Wing “101 POSTMAN OXFORD” is the original postman shoe. It is a masterpiece that boasts high popularity among the many shoes that Red Wing has developed, not to mention among all postman shoes. With a rounded toe and the “American casual” look of work shoes, they go great with jeans and chinos. They also go well with slacks and other clean pants, making them highly versatile shoes. The oxford type is the standard, but the chukka boot type “9196” is also popular.

靴のカガシヤ　楽天市場店

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Postman Shoes Recommendation 2Danner POSTMAN SHOES

More than 30 years after its release, the “Postman Shoes” are still loved by a wide range of people as Danner’s standard model. This is a pair that shows Danner’s commitment to keep updating the leather and fit with the times, while keeping the classic design intact. The feature of this pair is that it is made of thick glass leather, which is highly durable. A Japanese model is also available to fit the Japanese foot shape.

ABC-MART楽天市場店

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Postman Shoe Recommendation #3Dr. Martens CREWSON LO 3-Hole Shoes

Many people think of Dr. Martens for this type of shoe. The standard 1461 has a heeled sole design, so we picked up the “CREWSON” plain toe with a flat sole. This model is characterized by its extremely comfortable fit, with a soft liner that feels good against the foot inside and an air-cushioned insole, and is packed with many elements that prevent fatigue even after long hours of wear. It is truly a modern version of a postman’s shoe.

ZOZOTOWN

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Postman Shoes Recommendation 4REGAL Plain Toe

This pair of REGAL shoes firmly follows all the classic details of postman shoes, including the rounded toe, plain outer wings, flat sole, and glass leather. The entire inner sole is covered with a cushioned cup insole, and the lining is filled with sponge, making this a Regal-like postman shoe with a fit that wraps around the entire foot and a soft feel. In addition, the outsole uses Vibram EVA sole #8338. The heel portion, which is prone to wear and tear, is reinforced with rubber to improve durability.

ZOZOTOWN

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Postman Shoes Recommendation 5HARUTA hrt711p

“HARUTA” is a well-established Japanese shoe brand that has been in business for over 100 years. The brand offers postman shoes that follow traditional designs. The outsole is made of Vibram sole for excellent comfort, and its high grip makes them safe even on rainy days. The shoes are made with a wooden pattern for Japanese people, so the fit is excellent.

シューズショップアキリコ

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