What kind of shoes are KIPSTA? Features, sizing, and who they're for
Recently,
KIPSTA has been gaining recognition
among those searching for futsal shoes.
"Which manufacturer is KIPSTA?"
"What are their shoes actually like?"
"What's the difference between GINKA and ESKUDO?"
I think many people are curious
about these questions.
In Japan,
fewer people wear them compared to NIKE, Adidas, or Joma.
So,
many people have seen them,
but don't know their actual features.
That must be the case for many.
To put it very simply,
GINKA PRO for responsiveness and agile movement.
ESKUDO PRO for cushioning and stability.
I think this is the easiest way to choose.
Currently, Futsal.shop offers
KIPSTA GINKA PRO and
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO.
This time, we will explain
what kind of brand KIPSTA is in the first place,
the differences between GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO,
their sizing,
and for whom they are suitable.
We will provide an introduction from the perspective of Futsal.shop, which handles these products.
*This article is presented by Futsal.shop, which carries KIPSTA futsal shoes,
based on official KIPSTA/DECATHLON information and actual products.
What kind of manufacturer is KIPSTA anyway?
KIPSTA is a brand developed by
the French sports equipment manufacturer DECATHLON.
They primarily offer products for team sports,
such as soccer and futsal.
In Japan,
many people might not even know KIPSTA yet.
Honestly,
when you first hear the name,
you might wonder, "What kind of brand is it?"
This is a common reaction.
However,
when you actually look at their futsal shoes,
they are quite designed for competitive play.
Running.
Stopping.
Changing direction.
Taking small steps.
Handling the ball at your feet.
It's clear they are designed with these repeated movements
in futsal in mind.
So,
they are not just
"a slightly unusual foreign shoe."
Upon closer inspection,
it's a quite interesting brand.
Futsal.shop offers GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO
Currently, Futsal.shop offers two main models
of KIPSTA futsal shoes.
GINKA PRO.
ESKUDO PRO.
These two,
while both KIPSTA,
have quite different feels when worn.
GINKA PRO is designed for responsiveness and ease of movement.
ESKUDO PRO is designed for cushioning and stability.
Therefore,
instead of choosing based solely on design,
it's better to choose based on "what kind of feel you prefer."
Incidentally,
they are not available in just one color.
GINKA PRO comes in
CANDY.
TROPICAL.
WHITE/YELLOW.
ESKUDO PRO comes in
CANDY.
TROPICAL.
WHITE.
Each has three colors.
[Photo: GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO side by side]
Image alt text:
KIPSTA GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO futsal shoes
GINKA PRO is a shoe designed for ease of movement
First, let's talk about
GINKA PRO.
Personally,
the most striking feature of GINKA PRO is
its strong emphasis on ease of movement.
In futsal,
unlike soccer where you run long distances,
there are a lot of small, intricate movements.
Taking a step.
Stopping.
Changing direction.
Stepping forward again.
This is repeated constantly.
GINKA PRO is designed to accommodate
these kinds of movements.
While the shoe itself has some cushioning,
it's not just soft and sinking;
it also provides a responsive feel that helps you transition to the next step easily.
Uses responsive foam
GINKA PRO's midsole
uses e-Pebax Powered foam.
Just hearing the name,
it might sound a bit complicated.
To put it very simply,
it's a type of cushioning that makes it easier to transfer the force
from pushing off to the next movement.
For example,
in defense, you stop once,
then move again to match your opponent's movement.
You receive a pass,
and take your first step right away.
These are common movements
in futsal.
If you prefer shoes with responsiveness
for such movements, GINKA PRO should suit your preferences quite well.
The sole is also flexible.
GINKA PRO also features
a structure called Flex-H.
If you look at the outsole,
there are grooves positioned to align with where the foot bends.
This allows the forefoot
to bend easily.
In futsal,
there are many small steps and sudden pushes off the toes.
Therefore,
if a shoe is too stiff,
it can surprisingly feel restrictive.
GINKA PRO,
while incorporating cushioning,
also maintains good flexibility.
This,
I believe, is quite characteristic of futsal shoe design.
[Photo: GINKA PRO outsole]
Image alt text:
KIPSTA GINKA PRO Flex-H outsole
GINKA PRO also uses natural leather.
GINKA PRO uses
natural leather on the forefoot.
This is also
a feature I personally quite like.
Shoes that prioritize responsiveness and ease of movement
tend to rely heavily on synthetic leather.
However,
GINKA PRO uses natural leather
on the forefoot, which touches the ball.
So,
it's a shoe with a sense of speed, but
the ball touch isn't too stiff.
That's the balance it strikes.
"I like agile shoes, but
I don't want to give up the softness of natural leather."
For those who feel this way,
I think it's quite an interesting option.
GINKA PRO is recommended for these types of players.
GINKA PRO is likely a good fit for people who:
Make many quick changes of direction.
Prefer shoes that allow for quick first steps.
Desire responsiveness.
Prefer a flexible sole.
Like the ball touch of natural leather.
Want cushioning but dislike a heavy feel.
If any of these apply to you,
GINKA PRO is worth considering.
Especially,
for those who seek
a "light and agile feeling" from their shoes,
this model clearly showcases its features.
ESKUDO PRO offers very noticeable cushioning.
On the other hand,
there's ESKUDO PRO.
This one is different
from GINKA PRO.
Its most noticeable feature is
its cushioning.
Viewed from the side,
the sole is quite thick.
It's a different type
from typical thin-soled futsal shoes.
"The gym floor feels hard."
"Thin shoes make my feet ache."
"I want some cushioning."
If these describe you,
ESKUDO PRO might be a better fit.
[Photo: ESKUDO PRO photographed from the side]
Image alt text:
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO Futsal Shoes
M-FOAM cushioning
ESKUDO PRO uses
M-FOAM cushioning.
It provides solid cushioning
across the entire sole.
Gym floors are
harder than they look.
Running.
Stopping.
Jumping.
Landing.
These actions are repeated many times
during matches and practices.
Therefore,
for some people,
the impact on their soles and heels can be quite concerning.
For such people, ESKUDO PRO is quite easy to understand.
It's not for those who prefer thin-soled shoes
and want to directly feel the ground beneath their feet.
Conversely,
I think it's a great match for those who prefer a somewhat thicker sole.
Thick, but not just soft
With thick-soled shoes,
stability is a concern.
If the cushioning is too soft,
you might feel a bit wobbly
when moving sideways.
ESKUDO PRO features a component called ArkStab,
which addresses this.
A TPU part is inserted near the arch of the foot
to prevent excessive twisting of the shoe.
In futsal,
there's a lot of lateral movement,
not just forward and backward.
So,
it has cushioning.
But,
it's not too squishy.
This balance is quite important.
ESKUDO PRO is designed with that in mind.
[Photo: ArkStab section of ESKUDO PRO]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO ArkStab
ESKUDO PRO also uses natural leather.
ESKUDO PRO also uses
natural leather.
So,
just because it has a thick sole and emphasizes cushioning,
it doesn't mean the ball touch is stiff.
The softness of natural leather.
Cushioning.
Stability.
These three are
the clear characteristics of ESKUDO PRO.
Furthermore,
the heel area is reinforced.
The sole is soft with cushioning.
The heel area is firm.
Personally,
I think this construction is also quite characteristic of ESKUDO.
ESKUDO PRO is recommended for these people.
ESKUDO PRO is likely a good fit for these people:
Those who prioritize cushioning.
Those concerned about hard gym floors.
Those who like thick-soled futsal shoes.
Those who want stability underfoot.
Those who like the soft touch of natural leather.
Those concerned about impact on the sole and heel.
Especially,
if you're currently wearing shoes and feel like
"I wish I had a bit more cushioning,"
then ESKUDO PRO is a very clear choice.
GINKA PRO vs. ESKUDO PRO: Which one after all?
After reading this far,
you might be wondering,
"So, which one is better?"
To put it simply,
if you prioritize agility and responsiveness, GINKA PRO.
If you prioritize cushioning and stability, ESKUDO PRO.
I think that's a good way to look at it.
GINKA PRO offers:
Rebound.
Flexibility.
Agile movements.
ESKUDO PRO offers:
Cushioning.
Stability.
Comfort.
Of course,
GINKA PRO also has cushioning.
And ESKUDO PRO
is not a heavy shoe that restricts movement.
However,
when comparing the two,
their most distinct features differ.
So,
what do you feel is lacking
in your current shoes?
Choosing based on that
will make the decision much easier.
What about KIPSTA sizing?
If you're buying shoes online,
this is probably what most people are most concerned about.
"Should I get my usual size?"
"Should I go up half a size?"
For KIPSTA's GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO,
you can generally base it on your usual shoe size.
For example,
if you usually wear 26.5 cm,
start with 26.5 cm.
That's the idea.
They are not shoes that are
extremely large
or extremely small.
However,
shoes aren't determined by their centimeter表記 alone.
Foot width.
Instep height.
Heel size.
Toe length.
These factors can also
change how they feel when worn.
Furthermore,
depending on the brand you usually wear,
the same 26.5 cm can vary quite a bit.
Therefore,
I don't really recommend the idea that
"with KIPSTA, you absolutely have to go up 0.5 cm."
First,
use your usual size as a reference.
From there,
consider your foot width and other factors.
Since it's natural leather, it will break in the more you wear it.
Both GINKA PRO and
ESKUDO PRO
use natural leather.
Natural leather,
as you wear it,
will gradually conform to your foot.
Even if it feels a bit snug when new,
the forefoot may break in
with use.
However,
that being said,
I don't recommend choosing a smaller size from the start.
If you choose a smaller size thinking,
"it's leather, so it'll stretch,
a smaller size should be fine,"
the length might become too small,
and your toes could hit the end.
First,
match the length of your foot.
Then,
consider the width.
This approach makes it
easier to choose shoes.
What about people with wide feet?
The two KIPSTA models
are not what you would call
very wide models.
However,
since natural leather is used in the forefoot,
it tends to adapt horizontally as you wear it.
Therefore,
even if your foot is a little wide,
it may not be necessary to immediately go up 0.5 cm.
If you size up too much to accommodate width,
then your toes will have too much room.
In futsal,
if there's too much room in the toes,
some people find it bothersome for quick steps and ball touches.
So,
first match the length.
Then check the width.
This order is recommended.
GINKA PRO is available in 3 colors.
GINKA PRO, currently available at Futsal.shop,
comes in 3 colors.
CANDY.
TROPICAL.
WHITE/YELLOW.
[Photo: GINKA PRO CANDY]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA GINKA PRO CANDY
[Photo: GINKA PRO TROPICAL]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA GINKA PRO TROPICAL
[Photo: GINKA PRO WHITE/YELLOW]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA GINKA PRO WHITE YELLOW
KIPSTA's
color schemes are quite interesting.
Especially,
CANDY and TROPICAL.
They have a vibe not commonly seen
in Japanese futsal shoes.
So,
"Performance is important, but I want shoes that aren't easily duplicated."
I think KIPSTA is a good option
for such people.
ESKUDO PRO also comes in 3 colors.
ESKUDO PRO also
comes in 3 colors.
CANDY.
TROPICAL.
WHITE.
[Photo: ESKUDO PRO CANDY]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO CANDY
[Photo: ESKUDO PRO TROPICAL]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO TROPICAL
[Photo: ESKUDO PRO WHITE]
Image alternative text:
KIPSTA ESKUDO PRO WHITE
While there are CANDY and TROPICAL options
similar to GINKA PRO,
the different shoe shapes give them quite different impressions.
You can absolutely choose these
based on your personal preference.
KIPSTA is recommended for these people.
To summarize quite simply,
KIPSTA is also recommended for those who want to wear futsal shoes that are a little different from what others wear.
In Japan,
not many people wear them yet.
However,
the shoes themselves are properly designed for futsal.
Rebound.
Cushioning.
Flexibility.
Stability.
Natural leather.
Each of these features is included where needed.
So,
rather than just choosing them because they're "uncommon,"
they are a strong contender even if you choose them based on performance.
Especially if you've been wearing the same brand for a long time and want to try something different.
For such people,
KIPSTA should be interesting.
If you're still undecided
Finally,
if you're torn between GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO,
think about what you're looking for in your current shoes.
"I want a little more rebound."
"I prefer something that allows for quick movements."
"I like soles that bend easily."
Then, GINKA PRO.
"I'm concerned about the hardness of the gym floor."
"I want more cushioning."
"I like a stable fit."
Then, ESKUDO PRO.
It's not about which is superior.
Simply,
the shoes have different characteristics.
Rebound.
Flexibility.
Ease of movement.
For these aspects, GINKA PRO.
Cushioning.
Stability.
Comfort.
For these aspects, ESKUDO PRO.
Even if you've never worn KIPSTA before,
if you're looking for your next futsal shoes,
consider them as an option.
Check colors, sizes, and stock of KIPSTA GINKA PRO and ESKUDO PRO at Futsal.shop