I don’t really wear trainers unless they’re absolutely required at the gym. Because, if I’m not barefoot, I prefer something with a bit of heel. My favorite are these “No Name” French shoes, which would totally be frowned upon in any gym in the world.

I have about four pairs of these. Well, three now, since I ruined one at Burning Man last year. I try to buy a new pair whenever I am in Paris. (Internet file photo.)

Update: HELP! I went to No Name last December and found – ACK! – a luggage shop instead! Does anyone know if they’ve closed shop for good or if they’ve just moved to another location? If anyone knows where I can find their shoes, please send me a message. Thanks! (23 January 2012)

So, no, I don’t really wear the traditional sort of sneakers or trainers as, first of all, they’re flat, and secondly, they’re closed. My feet don’t like being enclosed.

But I do like sneaker designs. My favorite are Onitsuka Tiger from Japan. And, when we were in Osaka, we discovered another Japanese brand called Spingle Move. The designs from both brands are so sleek and cool that I’ve been wanting at least one pair from either brand. Unfortunately, my feet are too long for any of the ladies’ designs, which is fine as the men’s designs are way cooler, but then the smallest men’s size is too wide for my skinny feet. Doh!

I ended up buying Mizunos, made in China, that are still a tad too small for me. Then again, it might have been for the best that I couldn’t find the more expensive Tigers or Spingle Moves in my size, as the last time I bought a pair of sneakers, by the time I finally took them out of the box to wear them, they were already falling apart from disuse. Who knows when these Mizunos will see the light of day?

I found this online about Spingle Move:

History
Spingle Move was born in Japan in 2002 and developed a brand which grew with every new generation, creating a fashion sensitivity related to adult lifestyle, with the aim to continue being a brand with ever winning sympathy!

We are receiving high evaluation from our customers because we express on our product the sense of beauty and comfort that provide the creativity of our professionals and the use of the latest technology. Our product is developed and manufactured in our 75 years old factory.

Philosophy
We made collaboration with Comme des Garcons for spring and summer Paris collection in 2005 and our product was sold in world famous select shops all over the world. We have been cooperating with a famous designer that has certified the high quality of the brand.

Highlights
Spingle Move provides a variation of sole which is clean in image but unique, and it is rustic while complying with a modern-classic flow and a calmed theme color, as it is mainly seen on natural colors, black, brown or gray.

By mixing the traditional vulcanized sneakers with a sophisticated beautiful line with a craft touch, they provide a glimpse of a handmade product. One pair evolves refined casual cloth sneakers with the sense of the values generated by a suggestive design, material and color.

(Source: http://directory.just-workshops.com/directory/brands/women/spingle-move.html)

And here’s a video in Japanese, with German subtitles. Not very useful, I know, but the video shows the production of the shoes and the Japanese attention to detail.