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Introducing the World's First "No-Tie" Laces! SHAKA's New "WALCORE VB" Model
SHAKA, the footwear brand celebrated for its sneaker sandals, is launching "SHAKA"'s new model, the "WALCORE VB," specifically engineered for walking.
As a brand known for spearheading the sandal boom, why did they decide to equip a product with a world-first proprietary system incorporating the expertise of a prosthetist and orthotist? We sat down with Ai Kawashima, SHAKA's Brand Manager at Blue Moon Company, Inc., and Ryoichi Okamoto, the SHAKA Product Advisor who designed the model, to discuss the philosophy and development journey behind this new creation.
The "Let's Go. We're Free." Philosophy: Seamlessly Bridging Daily Life and Travel
SHAKA operates under the tagline, "Let's go. We're free." This reflects their commitment to offering items that provide comprehensive support across all aspects of life—from daily routines to outdoor adventures and travel—rather than being confined to a single purpose.The brand's origins trace back to the 1990s outdoor boom. Their "HIKER" model gained a strong following back then. Following the sports sandal craze of the 2010s, SHAKA went on to create a lineup of timeless classics that remain popular today.
Hit models like the "NEO BUNGY" and "CHILL OUT" were particularly instrumental in shaping the SHAKA brand as we know it today. This history forms the foundation of the brand's core value: seamlessly connecting every moment and occasion.
"Our concept of 'travel' isn't just about the trip itself; we see the entire experience, from everyday life leading up to the destination, as part of the journey. We're not solely focused on travel in the traditional sense, but rather embrace the idea that every moment is a part of a larger adventure," explains Kawashima.
This versatility, which adapts from daily city wear to activities in nature, is the core philosophy that laid the groundwork for developing this new model, a shoe that is intensely focused on the act of walking.
A Deep Dive into "Walking" with Cutting-Edge Technology
Development of the new "WALCORE VB" began with a single mission: to push the brand's core principle of "walkability" to its absolute limit.The search for a material that perfectly matched the purpose of "walking" led them to one choice: the Vibram sole.
The shoe features Vibram's "Rolling Gait System." This sole has a more curved shape than conventional ones, a design that naturally supports the foot's motion as weight transfers from the heel to the toe.
"The starting point was our decision to design a shoe completely focused on the act of walking. I was already familiar with this Vibram sole—I’d worn it, loved it—so I knew it was the right component to build our new product around," Okamoto shares.
The sole features a curve that adapts to the foot's natural function and ankle flexion, a design touted to reduce energy consumption and muscle fatigue. Despite its chunky, approximately 5-centimeter-thick platform appearance, it is surprisingly lightweight, ensuring comfort is maintained even during extended walks.
Featuring a World-First Lacing System Born from the Expertise of a Prosthetist and Orthotist
In addition to the walking support provided by the sole, the upper features an innovative mechanism: the proprietary "no-tie" lacing system known as the "V-lock system."The system was developed by Koji Seki, who has spent over 40 years crafting prosthetics, orthotics, and artificial limbs in Kochi Prefecture. This expert's deep understanding of foot anatomy has been ingeniously applied to create a shoe system that supports walking.
It consists of a tubular lace arranged in a zigzag pattern around webbing tape, which is then secured by a magnetic pin. Rather than tightening at a single point like traditional laces, this design envelops the entire foot, creating a superior, snug fit.
"Once you adjust the lace length to fit your foot, you can put the shoes on and take them off just by snapping the magnet into place. Being able to do it in two seconds is a major selling point," notes Okamoto.
Previously, this system was only available as a custom modification for customers who brought in their own shoes. The "WALCORE VB" marks the world's first product to include it as a standard feature. It eliminates the annoyance of untied laces, offering a new level of convenience perfectly suited to modern lifestyles.
A Blend of Classic DNA and Urban Style
While the pursuit of functionality was a key driver, honoring the brand's heritage through design was equally important. The upper’s design takes cues from the iconic 'HIKER' model, a fan favorite since the '90s.By pairing this classic influence with comfort-driven materials like neoprene and webbing tape, SHAKA has crafted a sneaker sandal that captures the spirit of its legendary predecessors.
Despite being highly functional, the shoe's color scheme was meticulously designed with city wear in mind. In addition to the classic black, the collection features unique color combinations: a green-toned 'Moss' and a beige-toned 'Taupe.'
"We wanted to avoid ordinary colors," explains Okamoto. "Our goal was to create a unique color palette for the upper and webbing tape combination, which led to this two-tone design."
The design uses Taupe, one of SHAKA's popular beige shades, as a base, with green serving as a striking accent. Even the Vibram sole was custom-colored in a khaki-leaning taupe to seamlessly blend with the upper, achieving an urban-chic balance that steers clear of being overly outdoorsy.
The 'WALCORE VB' is engineered to be a versatile sneaker sandal. Perfect for outdoor adventures in the peak of summer, it can also be paired with socks to extend its wearability through every season but the dead of winter.
With features focused on walkability and an urban aesthetic that fits seamlessly into city life, these sandals have the power to elevate your daily commute into a more comfortable journey.
As a trailblazer in the sneaker sandal category, SHAKA has always gone back to the basics to rethink walking comfort. The brand's product development will undoubtedly continue to evolve, staying in sync with our modern lifestyles.
PROFILE
Ai Kawashima (Kawashima Ai)
SHAKA Brand Manager
After starting her career in sales, Ai transitioned to marketing when the new department was formed. She was involved in all facets of PR, from brand building and social media management to catalog photoshoots, before taking on her current role in April 2026. She now oversees all operations for the SHAKA brand.
PROFILE
Ryoichi Okamoto (Okamoto Ryoichi)
SHAKA Product Advisor
Ryoichi is responsible for planning and advising on the in-line items each season. He also oversees the entire process—from concept design and planning to production—for high-profile products, including special items exclusive to official retailers and limited-run seasonal releases.
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