2025.09.29

Why Steppi Knit Pumps Are So Popular: The Secret to Their Soft Comfort and Polished Look

#steppi

#knit pumps

#shoes

#water-repellent

#washable

#sustainable

#Onward Kashiyama

*The text-to-speech feature is generated by AI,
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*The text-to-speech feature is generated by AI,
so there may be errors in the reading.

The pandemic ushered in an era of remote work, transforming our lifestyles and drastically reducing the need for pumps and heels. Coupled with long-standing complaints about discomfort and the strain they put on our feet, it's no surprise that many have been ditching their pumps.

However, there are still moments—whether for a specific occasion or to complete a certain look—when only a pump will do. Stepping up to meet this demand is Onward Kashiyama's knit pump brand, steppi, which has been winning over fans.

We sat down with Chizue Kinoshita, a designer who has been part of the steppi journey from the very beginning, to learn about the brand's origins and the innovative technology behind these remarkable knit pumps.

PROFILE

Chizue Kinoshita

Onward Kashiyama Co., Ltd.

Designer, steppi Division, Company III

The journey for steppi began back in 2018. The spark was ignited when one of the company's marketing managers discovered a knit pump brand called 'Rothy's' at a trade show in the United States.

'While knit pumps were available in Japan at the time, none had really established themselves as a major brand,' Kinoshita explains. 'Seeing how popular they were in the U.S. made us believe there was a market for them in Japan. And with our long history as an apparel company and deep expertise in knitwear, we were confident we could apply that know-how to footwear. That was the starting point for development.'