Driving shoes are now every driver’s source of comfort. They are not just chic, but versatile too. Driving can take a toll on one’s feet and ankles, which is why Aman Mohammed, Abdul Ahad and Zahan Ameer started Splits by Anderson to reinvent the driving shoe.
The three cousins have tweaked the driving shoe to make it more suitable for the Indian market. “We want our brand to be synonymous with driving shoes,” says Abdul. The driving shoe was created when a rubber sole was added to a moccasin. This sole extends till the heel, and appears behind the shoe. It provides traction when it comes into contact with the accelerator and the brakes while driving, and serves a dual purpose by portraying itself as an effortlessly stylish shoe with added comfort while driving.
“There’s a vast difference between a loafer and a driving shoe, in spite of similar looks. A driving shoe is hand-stitched and has a different sole,” explains Aman. Insisting that the “dual rubber sole” has never been used in the Indian market before, “it’s exclusively made by us and is our patented product”, says Zahan.
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With two kinds of driving shoes — the ‘urban driver’ and the ‘classic driver’ — which differ by their soles, they’ve been enjoying the reception of their product. “We hope to introduce a category specifically for driving shoes in the market as they are not commonly found,” says Abdul.
There are eight varieties, including Mocha and VantaBlack under the two editions already, and a new edition of the ‘Vintage Driver’ launching soon. The Urban Driver looks casual while their Vintage Driver edition can be teamed with formal wear.
There are varieties with buckles, made with suede, nubuck, grain and milled leather.
Behind the sale of every shoe is a social cause, where Rs. 100 is set aside and given to Chennai Volunteers, a group which acts as a link to a children’s home.
Although the customers were initially hesitant about embracing this trend, once they understood the concept and felt the comfort of a driving shoe, they had their minds set. Abdul adds, “A range for women is in the pipeline, and we hope to launch it soon.” After trying their hand at myriad jobs, the cousins decided to quit and pursue their passion.
Zahan says, “We’re proud that we’ve reached a point where people recognise us for our work and the care that we put into our shoes.”