The 2 Monkeys Sportif Horse Hide [TM94903]

Moc-toe boots with French vintage taste, "Sportif"

(English follows / You can also watch a video from the bottom of the page)

The 2 Monkeys' Sportif boots are designed with the image of hunting and outdoor boots worn in France around 1920-30. However, they are not a reproduction of existing old boots. They are boots that incorporate the style of boots primarily found in Europe at that time, while adopting the moc-toe (*) design that became popular in the United States during the same period.

The leather is a supple horsehide (horse leather) upper, which provides a comfortable fit that molds to your feet right from the start.

The sole construction, in particular, incorporates the taste of the era. By using a Goodyear welt construction for the forefoot and a McKay construction for the waist and heel, the style of a spade sole with a significantly narrowed and beveled (**) waist is reproduced. Looking at the sole from the bottom, you can clearly see the degree of this narrowed waist.

The top and bottom of the heel form an S-shape. The soft leather faithfully reproduces the shape of the last, and the pitched (***) smaller heel accentuates its curve. Curves are combined in the front, back, left, and right of the shoe, creating an elegant style that aligns with traditional European aesthetics.

The toe features a thin, easily conforming leather toe puff. As you wear them, you can enjoy the aging process where the toe gradually flattens and sinks, and the leather conforms all the way to the toes.

The forefoot part of the sole is covered with a 3mm thick rubber sheet. The top lift of the heel is a 10mm rubber one. These rubber contact surfaces firmly grip the road surface, prevent slipping, and reduce sole wear.

The comfort is light and soft. This is due to the properties of the leather, the unique manufacturing method, and the combination of a flexible sole (single leather sole). Those accustomed to work boots will surely be surprised by the lightness and the comfortable fit they feel the moment they put their feet in.

The Sportif last, equivalent to an E width, is designed for a slightly relaxed fit for standard foot shapes, but even those with narrower feet can achieve a firm fit by tightening the laces more strongly. This is thanks to the softness of the leather. For those with high insteps and wide feet, even if you choose a slightly larger size compared to your foot length, the fit will not be significantly compromised. This is an advantage of your foot resting on the soft leather, as the sole width is narrowed in the arch area.

In addition to its elegant style and the joy of aging, it also incorporates the good qualities of leather shoes from 1920-30 in terms of comfort. (****)

From the late 19th to early 20th century, a significant number of European shoemakers traveled to America to learn about mass production systems. This was an era when Europe, with its long traditions, and America, which quickly established a mass production system to cope with the rapid population growth due to immigration and economic development, influenced and enhanced each other in shoemaking.

The 2 Monkeys' Sportif boots are a rare type of boot that follows the common boots of that era in both Europe and America, fitting both American styles and European tastes.

[Footnotes]

(*) Moc-toe

Moccasins and France have a historical connection. In the late 18th century, shortly after the United States gained independence, the current American Midwest was French territory. This vast inland area stretched from Minnesota in the north to Louisiana in the south, and extended west across Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. A significant number of French people were active here for fur hunting, trade, and missionary work. However, at that time, this region was undeveloped, and it was impossible to venture into it without the cooperation of the indigenous people (Native Americans). The French are said to have interacted with the indigenous people, bartering goods, and exchanged the shoes they wore from France for Indian moccasins. At that time, the French may have been the white people who wore the most moccasins. Perhaps because of this history, even today, leading French leather shoe manufacturers use moccasin-stitched toes in their representative models. It can be said that there is an affinity between France and moccasin-type shoe designs.

(**) Bevel

To emphasize the narrowness of the waist, covering the outstitch of the sole in the waist part, which is attached with a Goodyear construction, with leather over the welt is called "beveling." This method is still occasionally used for bespoke shoes and the like. In Sportif, this "beveled waist" style is achieved by using a McKay construction for the latter half of the shoe.

(***) Pitched heel

A heel designed with a linear taper from the sole to the ground contact surface. This is a common detail found in European shoes of that time.

(****) Good qualities of leather shoes from 1920-30 in terms of comfort

In the 1920s and 30s, there were many "soft leather shoes" made of kangaroo leather, goatskin (kid), and other materials. In subsequent eras, as sneakers became widespread, leather shoes specialized in the formal beauty required for business or the sturdiness required for work and outdoors, and conversely, soft ones seemed to decrease. The Sportif, with the comfortable wearing experience of the soft leather shoes of yesteryear, is a shoe that allows you to experience another good quality of leather shoes that was lost over time.