The 2 Monkeys "SPORTIF" is a new type of moc-toe boot that reproduces the curved, elegant shape of early 20th-century boots, the excellent fit where soft leather envelops the foot, and a light, comfortable feel that is completely different from "work boots."
The taste of the era is especially incorporated into the sole. The waist of the sole is narrowed to create a spade-shaped style by using a Goodyear welt for the instep area of the single leather sole and a McKay construction for the waist to the heel. The combination of a pitched (tapered downwards) heel is also a common detail seen in shoes from that era. The leather is horsehide (horsefront) that has been vegetable-tanned in Tuscany, Italy, then pre-dyed after carefully selecting slightly thicker hides, and finally hill-dyed in Japan to achieve a brown core. Since it is pre-dyed in a deep brown, the brown core appearance is also elegant. The light, soft leather conforms to the foot from the first wear, fitting snugly around the entire foot. "SPORTIF" is designed by combining the form of early 20th-century boots with a moccasin-type toe that was incorporated into American boots slightly later (from the late 1920s onwards). Although the last has a narrowed waist, it has an E-equivalent width (*), so it is not only for those with narrow feet. However, the fit around the instep is somewhat tight, so for those with high insteps, a size slightly larger than their actual foot length may fit better.
(*) The width of a shoe is usually determined by the circumference of the ball girth (metatarsophalangeal joints) of the last. Therefore, even with the same width, the fit may vary depending on the settings for the arch, instep, and toes.
