ABE + Mekke
ABE Canvas Home Shoes
$ 68.00 USD
A trusty pair of slippers offer a simple way to ease into relaxation as your day draws to a close. This pair, from one of Japan’s leading room shoe producers, checks all of the boxes: good looks, dependable functionality, and comfort. Its shell is made from “No. 8” duck canvas, a material often found in sneakers due to its excellent strength, breathability, and ease of cleaning. Drawing inspiration from the traditional slippers of Morocco, its two-way “babouche” heel can be worn down like a slipper or up like a shoe when you’re on the move. Underfoot, a lightly padded suede-like sole offers subtle traction and protects floors from scuffs and scratches. Also available in a wool-lined version.
Room Shoe Sizing Tips: Room shoes are designed for maximum comfort and are very forgiving when it comes to sizing, but it is important that your foot is not larger than the footbed. To ensure a proper fit, put on the type of socks you plan to wear with your room shoes and measure the length of your foot (in centimeters) while standing. Compare this measurement with the Japanese sizing in the chart below - which is also measured in centimeters - to determine the appropriate size. If you fall between sizes, round up, and if you have particularly wide feet, consider moving up one size. For more tips, check out our Rikumo Journal post on achieving a perfect fit.
About ABE Sangyo
Room shoes are an integral part of daily life in Japan, and since the company's founding in 1919, ABE Sangyo has been dedicated to crafting the most comfortable examples in the land. In a small workshop in Kahoku, a rural town that produces more than 40% of Japan’s room shoes, ABE Sangyo's experienced craftspeople design, cut, and sew domestic materials to create room shoes that fit their philosophy of “quality first without compromising."
Materials: Upper: 100% cotton canvas, Core: EVA/urethane, Sole: Faux suede (60% nylon, 40% polyurethane)
Sizing: See above
Care: These room shoes feature a soft sole and are designed for indoor use only. Please do not wear them outdoors or on rough surfaces. Machine washable. Wash separately, as some color loss is possible. Use a neutral detergent and avoid chlorine bleach. After washing, shape by hand and air dry in the shade.
Kahoku, Japan
Mekke Socks
$ 30.00 USD
With a comfortable fit from toe to heel, these lightly cushioned socks will quickly become the ones you reach for when you have a long day ahead of you. Taking their name from the Japanese slang word mekke-mono (meaning “good find”), Mekke Socks are woven on the same slow looms as many of our favorite Kontex towels. Each pair comes in one of several heathered pastel colors and features plush and absorbent terry on the sole to help prevent the dreaded feeling of sweaty feet.
About Kontex
Gentle on the skin and kind to the environment, Kontex textiles are crafted in Imabari, Japan, using centuries-old techniques, as they have been since the company’s founding in 1934. Each product is made from fine, garment-quality thread gently woven on traditional low-speed looms to achieve unparalleled softness, then washed in snowmelt from the slopes of Mt. Ishizuchi. The end result is apparel that’s incredibly soft, absorbent, and free from impurities - the perfect addition to any wardrobe.
Materials: 85% cotton pile, 10% polyester, 3% nylon, 2% polyurethane
Sizing:
Small: US women's sizes 5-8; US men's sizes <6.5
Medium: US women's sizes 8-11; US men's sizes 6.5-10
Imabari, Japan
