Shoes that don't let footsteps on rainy days

I have been traveling to various locations on rainy days to, Setouchi Ambiencefilm videos for
I continue filming with the desire to deliver the sound of rain echoing through the quiet Japanese landscape in the highest possible sound quality.

However, there was one problem that always troubled me:
the sound of my own footsteps.
The better the microphone's performance, the more it picks up even the slightest footsteps and rustling of clothes. While it's possible to reduce this in post-production editing, it inevitably detracts from the natural sense of presence. That's why I've been searching for shoes that would make almost no noise when walking in the rain.

table of contents

Rainy day photography and shoe selection
Next challenge: Complete protection with shoe covers
And then I came across "silent shoes"
summary

Rainy day photography and shoe selection

My reason for avoiding sneakers on rainy days is simple:
rain soaks into my shoes and socks, and the discomfort increases over time.
To comfortably shoot for long periods, waterproof shoes are essential.

The first pair I usedMERPHINE rain bootswas a pair of
They didn't look bad and were reasonably priced.

However, after walking for a long time, the shoes started to absorb a little water, and a small squeaking sound began to be heard with each step.
For me, who wanted to make the delicate sound of rain the main focus, this sound could not be ignored.
I shot while wearing these shoesZentsuji in Kagawa PrefectureThe rain footage

The moment I entered the Daishido Hall, the sound of my shoes was recorded.

Next challenge: Complete protection with shoe covers

Next, I triedthe Satipro shoe covers, which have passed domestic waterproof testing.
These are the type that you put on over your regular sneakers, and they're great because they keep your shoes and socks dry while you walk.
The waterproofing for my feet was perfect, and I was able to concentrate on shooting with peace of mind, even in heavy rain.

However, this time I was bothered by the "rustling" sound that came from the plastic rubbing together with every step.
Some of you watching the video might have thought, "That sound is a little bothersome."
were filmed while wearing these shoe coversYashimaandYoshimaThe videos of

In the Yashima video, the sound of shoes was so loud that we had to cut out most of the footage.

Even in Yoshima's video, I was bothered by the sound of footsteps.

And then I came across "silent shoes"

that I currently lovethe Margo waterproof shoes.
They are surprisingly affordable, yet they make almost no noise when walking on paved roads.
They are not completely silent, but they are significantly quieter than conventional rain shoes.
It feels like the sound of rain just melts into the air.

Of course, there's some noise on dirt, but on asphalt, it's so quiet it's "as if your footsteps have disappeared."
I filmed some of my latest videos wearing these shoes.
I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to make the sound of rain the main focus, or to anyone doing ASMR filming.

There are several videos I have taken wearing these shoes, but in this article I will introduce this one.

In the video of Mannou Park, there was almost no sound of footsteps recorded.

summary

In photography, even small details like the sound of shoes can greatly influence the overall impression of the work.
"Searching for shoes that don't make noise" is a small detail I've always been particular about, as I value sound, but as a result, it has allowed me to convey the rainy scenery itself more beautifully.

Even behind the seemingly mundane task of recording the sound of rain, there is a lot of trial and error—and I
hope you will enjoy the world of "Setouchi Ambience," including that process.