Dissatisfied with conventional socks
Knitido® was the first company in Japan to produce toe socks. Why? Because we’re not satisfied with regular socks. Sure, they’re quick to put on. But anyone who wears regular socks knows this: on cold days, your feet are too cold; on warm days, you sweat. Toes rubbing against each other collect dirt and moisture. Housed together in a single compartment, they fuse over the years into a sensory unit, leading to problems with gait and posture. There’s a better way.
From the idea to the first toe sock
That's whatTakahiro Idobata. Although socks with extra-large toes for traditional tabi shoes—still worn today by Japanese carpenters—were known there, they weren’t intended for everyday use. He stumbled upon the solution in 1974 when he cameacrossa pair of toe socks fromSpain. The quality was poor, and the manufacturer no longer existed. But the idea stayed with him from then on. He established contacts with a well-known Japanese knitting machine manufacturer. Together, they began experimenting and developed a knitting machine capable of producing toe socks.
Conceived in quiet reflection
Machine-made
Perfected by handcrafting
In 1981, the time had come:Takahiro Idobatafounded the company Knitglove. Production initially took place in his own garage. At first, the product was met with resistance from the Japanese. It looked unusual, seemed very difficult to put on, and was more expensive than regular socks. Over time, however, people discovered the benefits of these strange socks, and a small, enthusiastic following developed—one that couldn’t live without toe socks.
Toe socks, it turned out, offered unexpected benefits:businesspeople reported that wearing them helped them control foot odor, so they no longer stood out in an unpleasant way during after-work gatherings. In many Japanese restaurants, it is still customary to take off one’s shoes at the entrance. Women who tended to have cold feet reported the pleasant warmth of toe socks. Not because they were warmer, but because their feet had something to do again. The individually wrapped toes improved foot awareness so much that all toes were once again involved in walking. The foundation of movement was restored, which had a positive effect on the entire body.
Knitido® toe socks - This is us today
In 1998, a new, larger knitting factory was opened in Wakayama, and in 2006, the company Knitglove Knitido .
The brand name Knitido® is actually derived from the English word to knit (meaning to knit) and the first part of the family name Idobata , and is pronounced"Nittido."
The company is now run in the second generation by the Idobata family and produces toe socks for Japan and the whole world in Japan with 56 employees under fair working conditions and together with a network of regional companies. Knitido® has been represented in Germany since 2007 and supplies the whole of Europe from its location in Berlin.
We work every day to perfect our toe socks. Our goal is to create toe socks that protect the feet as much as possible and restrict them as little as possible, so that they remain healthy into old age and can move around unrestricted and naturally.
Our vision for the future - Knitido Plus®
Our vision is to make toe socks a cornerstone of a healthy, fulfilling, and balanced life. That is why Knitido® in Japan is currently evolving from a brand focused solely on toe socks into a holistic concept for a balanced lifestyle under theKnitido label.
As part of a pilot project, Knitido® Japan will therefore open aTrailer Gardenin Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, in mid-April 2022, featuring a yoga studio, a healthy snack bar, and a shop selling toe socks and wellness products. Click here for the Instagram channel for the Trailer Garden.
