Real-life experiences and recommended models to avoid mistakes when choosing autumn/winter sneakers

From autumn to winter, your feet are easily affected by changes in temperature and weather.
It's not uncommon to think you've chosen the perfect sneakers for the cool season, but when you try them on, you end up regretting them and realizing, "They're not what I expected."
In this article, I'll share some of my own experiences with fall/winter sneakers and the key points I learned from them. Finally, I'll introduce YUEN's yuers LEAVES as a recommended model that's hard to go wrong with and can easily be incorporated into your everyday life.

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What's difficult about choosing autumn/winter sneakers?

When autumn and winter arrive, choosing sneakers can suddenly become more difficult. While in spring and summer you could get by with something light and breathable, now you have to consider the cold and weather. In areas with a lot of rain and snow, waterproofing is essential, and it's also essential to find ways to protect your toes during the bitterly cold mornings and evenings.

I personally love wearing black sneakers in the winter, but when I pair them with a heavy coat, my whole body looks heavy and I sometimes feel a little oppressive. On the other hand, if I choose a design that is too light, it can end up out of place with the overall seasonal feel of my outfit.

Even more troublesome is the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. It may be comfortable when you're walking outside, but as soon as you enter a heated train or cafe, it suddenly gets hot, and your shoes get sweaty and uncomfortable. If you try to get too warm, you'll have trouble indoors, and if you choose thin shoes, you'll get cold outside. I've realized that finding the right balance is the tricky part of choosing sneakers for fall and winter.

My actual fall/winter sneaker failures

I have personally failed many times when searching for sneakers for fall and winter. Here, I will honestly share some examples of the mistakes I have made.

It has a boa and gets stuffy

I bought it because I was attracted to the boa material, which is perfect for winter. It was certainly warm outside, but the moment I got on the train, it got really hot and stuffy, even my socks got sweaty. This is a classic example of prioritizing warmth overwhelmed by the discomfort indoors.

Mismatch with socks

I had intended to wear thick socks with them, but I ended up buying the same size as usual. As a result, my toes were so swollen that I ended up hurting after walking for a long time, and I ended up having to take breaks along the way, which was a disappointing day despite my outing. I hadn't thought about the basics when choosing the size.

The color is too plain

In winter, I tend to lean towards black, gray, and brown. Before I knew it, all my sneakers looked similar, and I often found myself standing in the mirror thinking, "Again, I'm playing it safe..." I realized that if my feet are heavy, my overall impression can look sluggish.

Managing brushed materials is difficult

Suede and nubuck have a great look, but the problem is that they tend to stain easily on rainy or snowy days. Even with waterproof spray, it's not perfect, and the time it takes to care for them means I've been wearing them less and less. They're not suitable for casual wear.

It loses its shape when stored away

I put them away in a box in early spring, and when I took them out the following year, the toes were deformed. I was shocked that they were so uncomfortable to wear, even though they were my favorites. Because they're worn together with boots during this season, I've come to realize that if I neglect to take the extra care when storing them, the damage can easily become visible.

Looking back, these were all pitfalls unique to autumn and winter. The reason was that I was too quick to prioritize warmth and appearance, and didn't consider the actual environment in which I would use the product (temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, weather, storage period).

Points to keep in mind when choosing autumn/winter sneakers

After summarizing what I've learned from my past mistakes, I've realized that there are a few things you can't overlook when it comes to autumn/winter sneakers. Here, based on my own experience, I'll introduce some checkpoints you should keep in mind.

Can you adjust the temperature?

Sneakers with boa or fleece lining look warm and appealing, but I've had the experience of feeling "hot!" as soon as I got on the train. In winter, you want to take measures to protect yourself from the cold, but when you think about what happens indoors, it's more practical to have some room to adjust with insoles or socks.

Choose your size based on socks

If you don't choose your socks with the assumption that you'll be wearing thick socks, your usual size will often be too tight. I once got the wrong size and ended up with sore feet, which meant I had to take lots of breaks during my outings. Even just 0.5cm of extra room can make a big difference in comfort.

Consider using accent colors

Winter outfits tend to have dark tones overall, and wearing black all the way down to your feet can give off a heavy impression. In my case, just adding a white sole to my gray shoes made the look much lighter. Just being mindful of a small accent color can improve the overall balance.

Ease of material care

I like the look of suede and nubuck, but I've had some stains on them on snowy days. I recommend them for those who can take good care of them, but if you're busy, it's easier to choose a water-repellent model or synthetic leather.

Off-season storage

I've had occasion to put my sneakers away in a box in the spring, only to find they've lost their shape when I took them out the following year. Simply stuffing them with paper or using shoe trees will keep them looking good for the next season. A little extra care in storage can make a difference in how comfortable they'll be the following year.

Sneakers for fall and winter are most effective when they have a good balance of warmth, appearance, and ease of use. If you neglect any of these, you will end up wearing them less.

This autumn/winter's hot new item: YUEN "yuers LEAVES"

I've made many mistakes when choosing sneakers for fall and winter, but I've finally found a pair that I can wear with confidence. They're YUEN's new item, "yuers LEAVES."

yuers LEAVES Gray / yuers LEAVES Black

The appeal of new products

Exquisite design that doesn't get too heavy

The silhouette is light and airy, and it blends seamlessly into your fall and winter wardrobe. Even in classic colors like black and gray, the new collection features ingenious details that prevent the pieces from looking monotonous and make them easy to incorporate into your everyday life.

Suitable for thick socks

The roomy design is designed to accommodate winter socks. Even with thick socks, they won't feel too tight and are easy to walk in, so you can feel safe walking around town or traveling for long periods of time.

Can be used across seasons

Because they are not made of brushed material, they are comfortable to wear not only in autumn and winter but also in early spring. Even if you buy a new pair, you don't have to worry about only being able to wear them in winter, and they are sneakers that you can wear for a long time.

A pair of shoes that combines the freshness of a new model with the practicality to blend naturally into your everyday outfits. That's YUEN's "yuers LEAVES."

Choose your fall/winter sneakers based on experience and new encounters

When it comes to autumn and winter sneakers, even a slight misjudgment can lead to mistakes such as sweatiness, weight, and reduced wear. I myself have had the same bad experience many times in the past, but through those experiences I realized that the most important thing is to strike a balance between comfort and design.

In that sense, I feel that YUEN's new "yuers LEAVES" is a suitable choice based on my past experience. The simple design gives me the peace of mind of knowing I can wear them for a long time, and the freshness that only a new product can offer will add a new layer of enjoyment to my fall and winter outfits.

For those who are unsure which sneakers to choose, we would like to advise you to "make use of your past experiences" and "cherish new encounters." If you combine these two, you will surely find a pair of shoes that you will not regret. Your time walking around the city in autumn and winter will be more comfortable and more in line with your personality.