Unsatisfied with conventional socks
Knitido® was the first company in Japan to produce toe socks. Why? Because we were dissatisfied with conventional socks. Sure, they are quick to put on. But anyone who wears regular socks knows the problem: on cold days, your feet get too cold, and on warm days, they sweat. Toes rubbing against each other collect dirt and moisture. Trapped together in a single compartment, they gradually merge into one sensory unit over the years, which can lead to problems with walking and posture. We believe there is a better way.
From the idea to the first toe sock
That’s exactly what Takahiro Idobata thought in the 1970s. In Japan, socks with a separated big toe already existed for traditional Tabi shoes, still worn today by Japanese carpenters. However, these were not intended for everyday use.
He came across the solution in 1974, when a pair of toe socks from Spain fell into his hands. The quality was poor and the manufacturer no longer existed, but the idea fascinated him from that moment on. He established contacts with a well-known Japanese knitting machine manufacturer. Together, they began experimenting and eventually developed a knitting machine capable of producing toe socks.
Carefully conceived.
Machine pre-knitted.
Perfected by hand
In 1981, the time had finally come: Takahiro Idobata founded the company Knitglove. Production initially began in his own garage. At first, the product was met with skepticism in Japan. It looked unusual, seemed difficult to put on, and was more expensive than regular socks.
Over time, however, people began to discover the benefits of these unusual socks, and a small but enthusiastic community developed — people who no longer wanted to live without toe socks.
Toe socks revealed unexpected advantages: businesspeople reported that toe socks helped them control foot odor, so they no longer felt embarrassed when taking off their shoes after work. In many Japanese restaurants, it is still customary to remove shoes at the entrance.
Women who tended to suffer from cold feet also reported that toe socks kept their feet pleasantly warm. Not because the socks themselves were warmer, but because the feet became more active again. The individually wrapped toes improved foot awareness so much that all toes once again participated naturally in walking. The foundation of movement was restored — with positive effects on the entire body.
Knitido® Toe Socks — Who We Are Today
In 1998, a new and larger knitting factory was opened in Wakayama, and in 2006 the company Knitglove was renamed Knitido.
By the way, the brand name Knitido® is a combination of the English word to knit and the first part of the founder’s family name, Idobata. It is pronounced “Nittido.”
Today, the company is run by the second generation of the Idobata family and manufactures toe socks in Japan together with 56 employees under fair working conditions and in cooperation with a network of regional companies. Knitido® produces toe socks for Japan and the rest of the world. Since 2007, Knitido® has also been represented in Germany, supplying all of Europe from its location in Berlin.
Every day, we work to perfect our toe socks. Our goal is to create toe socks that protect the feet as effectively as possible while restricting them as little as possible — so that feet can stay healthy well into old age and we can move naturally and without limitations.
Our vision for the future — Knitido Plus®.
Our vision is to make toe socks one building block of a healthy, fulfilling, and balanced life. That is why Knitido® in Japan is currently evolving from a pure toe sock brand into a holistic lifestyle concept under the label Knitido Plus®.
As a pilot project, Knitido® Japan opened a Trailer Garden in Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, in mid-April 2022. The concept includes a yoga studio, a healthy snack bar, and the sale of toe socks and wellness products.
Here is the Instagram channel of the Trailer Garden.
