Monkey boots

A pair of Flame Panda monkey boots in the lace-to-toe work boot style.
Monkey boot style that became popular in the UK in the 60s and 70s. While the yellow lacing isn't present, note the tractor-tread soles and distinctive stitching.

Monkey boots are a specific style of lace-to-toe boot that became popular among mod and skinhead subcultures in the United Kingdom[1][2] and American workers.[3]

Variations of monkey boots exist across the world. The two most popular and well-known variations are the style of monkey boot popular in the United Kingdom in the 60's and 70's,[4] and the style of monkey boot designed by workwear companies in the US such as Endicott-Johnson,[5] Red Wing,[6] and Thorogood.[7]

The monkey boots popular in the UK are known for their unique "tractor-tread" outsoles, yellow laces, and typically brown, black, or oxblood leather,[8] while the monkey boots produced by American work boot companies are known for their distinctive lace-to-toe construction designed for a more secure fit.[9][10]

  1. ^ Brown, Chris. Booted and Suited: The Real Story of the 1970s – It Ain’t No Boogie Wonderland. John Blake, 2009.
  2. ^ "Grafter Original Wine Leather Monkey Boot Men's Size 11 US Vintage Czechia". eBay. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  3. ^ "1949 Sears Midseason Spring Catalogue". Trade Catalogues and the American Home. 1949 – via Adam Mattew.
  4. ^ Hatherley, Owen (2015). "Clean Living under Difficult Circumstances: Modernist Pop and Modernist Architecture—A Short History of a Misunderstanding". British Design: Tradition and Modernity After 1948: 155–172. doi:10.5040/9781474256209.ch-013. ISBN 978-1-4742-5620-9.
  5. ^ Workwear, Vintage. "George F. Johnson & The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company". Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  6. ^ London, Red Wing. "The History of the Lineman Boot". Red Wing London. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  7. ^ "Thorogood Work Boots Safety and Non-Safety | American Made. Union Made | Lifetime Union Member Discounts | Free Shipping and Exchanges". www.theunionbootpro.com. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  8. ^ "Classic Iconic Original Grafters Monkey Boots with Tractor Tyre style sole unit". Mayors Sports and Menswear. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  9. ^ Strickland, Matt. "1940's Endicott Johnson Lace to Toe Work Boots". Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  10. ^ "Archival Repost: Thorogood Boots (and catalog scans) – Archival Clothing blog". 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2024-04-10.