Onitsuka Tiger — Mexico 66 vs Mexico 66 Deluxe: A Comparison

There’s very little information about the premium Nippon Made line of Onitsuka Tigers out there, so I wanted to give a brief overview of the differences between these two similar models.

I purchased both in the White/White color, size US 9.

Overall, the deluxe version is noticeably longer, yet slightly snugger due to the thicker leather. The leather on the normal version is quite soft and thin – more so than a lot of other leather sneakers. On the other hand, the deluxe’s leather is closer in thickness and rigidity to a boot. The longer toe box bends slightly when you walk, similar to a pair of Chuck Taylors.

If you value the lightness and flexibility of the Mexico 66, you might be sorry to hear that the deluxe is moderately heavier and tougher. The benefits in durability will hopefully make up for that. With that said, they are both comfortable shoes, and the deluxe merely sacrifices agility of the foot. As you may know, these were originally running shoes, but I would not recommend running with the deluxe version.

The second biggest improvement in durability besides the leather is the sole. The normal Mexico 66’s have a light foam-like sole, whereas the sole on the deluxe is a much tougher rubber material.

Out of the box, the Nippon Made shoes are have a textured quality to the leather. Unlike premium white sneakers in this price range that feature calfskin leather, this leather has some character to it.

Only time will tell if these upgraded Japan made shoes are worth the cost of admission. I do prefer the dressier quality that the longer 66 deluxe provides, and it will pair well with chinos or casual wool pants. For a daily beater, I’m gonna give it to the regular 66 for its lighter feel and lower cost.

Obviously, it’s much easier to experiment with the normal Mexico 66's since they are relatively cheap. You won’t feel bad about not wearing your exotic colored Tigers that often. Some varieties of the deluxe are above $300, so it would be best to make sure you really love how it looks. I splurged on this pair because I already liked the standard version so much.

Hope this comparison helped you!

Mexico 66 Deluxe (White/White)

Mexico 66 (White/White)

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Mexico 66 (White/White)