Can you believe it? Soobaak is featured alongside some of the most iconic shops and brands—just feeling amazed and beyond grateful.
But at the same time, if there’s one thing we’ve always been confident and proud about, it’s that Soobaak has its own unique charm. There’s no shop quite like ours :) We’re very soobaak.
No wonder we’ve been seeing so many international visitors lately! Huge thanks to Esquire for the love—and to the big boss upstairs too 🙏
The Upsides
These soles don’t quit.I averaged about 7,868 steps a day in 2024 — and mine barely show any wear. Impressive durability.
Perfect for styling — especially for guys.There hasn’t really been anything quite like Plasticana in this category. It reminds me of when TOMS first hit the scene — a unique alternative that fills a gap.→ If you’re into fashion, this is the kind of shoe you’ll want at least one pair of.→ There’s a reason brands like Bode and Sound picked them up.
Super easy to slip on and off.That alone makes them addictive. Seriously convenient.
The Downsides
It’s rubber. Cushioning is minimal.Not totally zero, but don’t expect plush comfort.→ I usually wear them with thick socks and that does the trick.
Your feet will sweat.That’s why thicker socks work well — they keep things more breathable.→ Match them with regular-weight socks like Royalties Paris, and the look will be on point. But by evening? You’ll probably wish you’d gone thicker.→ Definitely not recommended barefoot.
They’re waterproof... but not rainproof.Yes, the material is waterproof. But the opening is wide — water will get in.→ Expect wet socks if you wear them in the rain.
Made in Morocco, not France (anymore).They used to be made in France, but now production's moved to Morocco — mostly due to rent and labor costs.→ The quality is exactly the same though, since it’s all molded rubber. The only difference is that it no longer says “Made in France,” which is kind of a bummer sentimentally.→ The materials are still sourced from France.
Surprisingly good-looking for rubber shoes.They’ve got a sleek last — not your average garden clogs.
Size runs can vary between models.Highly recommend trying them on in person. For the Gardana model specifically, go half or a full size down.
Bonus Note:I compared my pair (after a full year of wear) to a brand-new one, and mine looked noticeably darker. I thought it might just be dirt, so I gave them a wash — but the color didn’t brighten.→ Theory 1: The rubber naturally darkens slightly over time.→ Theory 2: Each pair has slight color variation, and mine was just one of the darker ones from the start.
Not a big deal, but worth noting!
I’ve been visiting art museums since high school. Maybe I thought it made me look cool. But back then, museums weren’t exactly enjoyable. Still, I kept going to exhibitions—kind of like how people watch films at CineCube in Gwanghwamun just for the aesthetic.
But over time, as the visits piled up and I got older, museums actually became fun. My ability to appreciate art improved, even if just a little, and I got to know enough artists to carry a conversation beyond surface-level observations.
I must have seen Matisse’s works in person even when I was still going to museums just for show. But it wasn’t until 2022 or 2023 in Osaka that his art truly became a joy to me. My friends Hyunjong, Inho, and I were just looking for a place to kill time—there wasn’t much open that day—so we ended up at a museum. There, I saw Matisse’s original cut-out (collage) works, and the colors struck me. So vivid yet so gentle. We loved it so much we went through the entire exhibition twice. Those dynamic compositions, those striking yet soft hues! Photos 14 to 20 were taken during that visit.
The Matisse you see in books is already an old man, yet he never stopped creating. He kept cutting and pasting, over and over—sometimes in large shapes, sometimes small. His process was simple, instinctive, and full of energy. A genius who was also relentlessly diligent.
And above all, Matisse’s colors never feel harsh. I particularly love the palette of the jumping rope figure in the fourth photo—so universal, so effortlessly appealing.
