We heard whispers of the Hi Basket which must be 4-5 years ago now and it's had its hooks sunk into us ever since. We've been waiting all this time to get our hands on it, and we're so happy that Moonstar finally delivered. This is essentially the Moonstar answer to "Why isn't there a Moonstar high top like the 01-JP from Shoes Like Pottery?" In the past, they've done this in a lightweight flannel material available only in Japan - but not this round. The Hi Basket features a heavy-duty canvas that feels, to us, even heavier than what they use for the rest of the lineup. It's got a more rugged, outdoor look than the 01-JP and simple monochromatic details throughout. The super bumpy sole is slip-resistant and the high silhouette keeps your foot locked into, in our opinion, the best shoe they make. These are a game changer for us in terms of the sneaker game, and we hope they will be that for your wardrobe, as well.
We’ve admired Moonstar from a distance for some time now. The story of the Moonstar factory in Kyusyu, Japan is now one of legend. The attention to detail and fine crafting are unmatched in the industry. As we made our transition from solely a boot company to sneakers, we knew we must have the best. The process of ka-ryu or vulcanization has been perfected in their factory in Kurume since the company's inception in 1873. The canvas uppers are sewn slowly with precision while the rubber strips and soles are carefully inlaid to prepare for their infamous vulcanization process. The shoes are heated to 120° for 70 minutes making the rubber soft and gummy for your walking pleasure.
- Sturdy Textured Canvas Upper
- High Rubber Foxing
- Rubber Toe Gaurd
- Canvas Piping
- Inner Seam Piping
- Rubber Toe Cap
- Ka-Ryu Vulcanization
- Textured Alweather Grip
- Hand Painted Rubber Adhesive for Longevity
- Sturdy, No-Nonsense, Cotton Laces
| US Size |
JP Size |
EU Size |
| 7 |
25 |
39.5 |
| 8 |
26 |
41 |
| 9 |
27 |
42 |
| 10 |
28 |
43 |
| 11 |
29 |
44 |
| 12 |
30 |
45.5 |
Fit Notes: So here's the skinny. People get very confused about sizing, and the best way we know to remedy that is by comparing them to other shoes. These shoes are known to run pretty true with just a slight bit more room in the toe box than Shoes Like Pottery. You might be able to get away with sizing down without feeling such a pinch from the rubber toe cap on this one. Take your typical Converse Chuck 70 and stick with that. Essentially, if you land in between at an 8.5, take the next size up to a 9. Shop owner Tommy is wearing a size 9 in the pictures. *He is typically an 8.5 in Converse. He wears a size 9 in all Vans variations. In Red Wing, he wears an 8 in almost every last.* Without an additional orthotic insole, he can wear a size 8 from SLP and Moonstar but it is tight, but with an insole and thicker socks, he has to size up to a 9. So, essentially if you were to take these shoes out of the box, and slip them on with no sock and no insert, you're going to go with your true Red Wing boot size which may mean sizing down if you're an in-betweener. If you plan to wear your thicker socks with these or maybe some kind of insert, you'll be able to size up! That's the best advice we've got on these and we hope it helps. Reach out with any questions.
