Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2013

It’s like these babies were made for Japan. Every foreigner initiated to the Japanese custom of removing one’s shoes when entering the house (or restaurant, or izakaya, or change room, or… ) surely curses the day shoelaces were ever created. The awkward stumble out the door while hopping on one foot, or the five-minute sit-on-the-floor grand entrance is an all too familiar experience. Enter Hickies. These ingenious rubber loops make any shoe an instant, ready-to-go slip on. Available in a variety of colors, they make customizing anything from sneakers to combat boots easy and affordable. They even have an app to help you choose the best style. ¥1,890 for a set of 16.

Available online www.hickies.jp