Mazda, a company that pursues the "Jinba Ittai" (horse and rider as one) driving experience through its human-centric car manufacturing, has developed a unique driving shoe. Partnering with Mizuno, known for its sportswear, the focus was on ease of pedal operation. The immediate impression upon trying them was, "I've never worn shoes like these before."

"Since 2015, engineers from Mizuno and Mazda have been engaging in cross-industry exchange, learning from each other's expertise in product materials and other areas. This collaboration has led to the joint development of these shoes, the first in what we envision as ideal driving gear for achieving Jinba Ittai."

Daisuke Umetsu, a rising star in Mazda's vehicle development department, shared this at a test drive venue with a slightly different atmosphere than usual. We were to drive Mazda cars while wearing these shoes, which could be said to have been developed specifically for them (currently named "Mazda/Mizuno Driving Shoes").

Umetsu's team initially focused on shoes due to their relationship with muscles. The goal was to incorporate functionality that would alleviate leg strain during pedal operations, centered on the accelerator and brake, and ensure precise control. To achieve this, they concentrated on supporting the two major muscles in the lower leg: the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemius.

These muscles were prioritized because, as Umetsu explains, "we wanted to eliminate the feeling of being forced to press the pedal, and instead make it easier to control the amount of pressure applied and to switch between pedals."

Upon actually wearing them, the first impression was, in a word, an unprecedented comfort. If you're a sneaker enthusiast, you know the feeling of tightening the laces to secure your foot. This is entirely different.

The reason I described the feeling as "I've never worn shoes like these before" at the beginning is due to the unique sensation of the shoes adhering to the foot with almost no sense of constriction. It's like wearing slippers made of air.

When I drove the Roadster, a car that demands more delicate pedal control, in these shoes, I immediately noticed how much easier it was to move my feet. With regular sneakers, you might experience some discomfort while driving due to unexpected pressure points. In contrast, the driving shoes co-developed by Mazda and Mizuno offered no such issues.

We often say a well-made sports car feels like it's "worn." These driving shoes are precisely that.

"Our sports shoes have traditionally been designed with the intention of firmly securing the instep. However, this time, with the objective of supporting leg movement, we developed these from scratch with Mazda."

Natsuki Sato of Mizuno's Global Research and Development department explained this to us. While they adapted existing lasts (shoe molds), the upper construction is innovative. One aspect is the use of stretch material from the instep to the ankle to support the "dorsiflexion" movement that lifts the toes.

Another is the adoption of a bellows-structured mesh material on the upper around the Achilles tendon area, above the heel. This allows for delicate control of "plantar flexion" movements, essential for pressing the pedal with the toes.