Monkey Boot

Frank's Boots produces the Monkey Boot as part of its handmade boot line. The boot can be customized through the company's "Design My Own Boot" feature, with options including various leathers such as Horween Black Essex and Ghost leather for tongues and rolled tops. All Frank's Boots are constructed entirely by hand using classic tools including nippers and lasting pliers.

The lace-to-toe work boot design evolved in the United States during the early 20th century to meet specific occupational needs. Weinbrenner Shoe Company, founded in 1892 by Albert Weinbrenner and Joseph Pfeifer, focused on "jobbing trades" work footwear from its inception. Albert Weinbrenner designed the first 16-inch lineman boots, which allowed workers to wrap their legs around telegraph poles for stability while working at extreme heights.

In 1917, Weinbrenner introduced the Thorogood line of work boots. The lace-to-toe design was developed to provide flexibility and prevent chafing where leather folds. In 1950, Thorogood introduced Model 633, known as "The Roofer" or "Bruiser" boot, featuring an extra layer of leather triple-stitched to support roofers who worked in a kneeling position. Roofers would squat on one knee with their foot turned backwards and flat, which would wear through regular boots. The roofing trade required boots with grip and rigidity throughout the foot.

Red Wing developed the Lineman boot Model 2996 in the 1940s during the expansion of electrical infrastructure. Lineman work was extremely hazardous, with one in three workers killed during the 1920s-40s era. The lace-to-toe design allowed for a snug fit and foot control at heights, where feet were the only point of contact with pole tops. Red Wing introduced rubber-cork soles in the mid-1950s with Style 677, followed by Style 650 with a cork compound sole in the 1960s.

Frank's Monkey Boot features 7½ to 8 oz work leather with triple-stitched construction for durability. The boots are fully leather lined and built to be fully rebuildable and resoleable. Construction options include 430 Mini Vibram sole configurations.

Custom builds can incorporate specialty leathers including Horween Black Essex, a grey leather with a black top coat that creates a "teacore effect" as it ages. Ghost leather options are available for tongues and rolled tops.

Two distinct monkey boot styles exist in contemporary production: the UK version and the US workwear version. UK-style monkey boots feature unique "tractor-tread" outsoles, yellow laces, and typically use brown, black, or oxblood leather. US-style monkey boots employ distinctive lace-to-toe construction designed for a secure fit and maximum support. The lace-to-toe construction provides adjustability for workers who need precise fit control.

British manufacturer Tricker's produces the Ethan Monkey Boot, handmade in their Northampton factory using traditional techniques. These boots remain popular in Japan, where demand for English heritage footwear is strong.

The monkey boot style has been adopted by various cultural movements since the mid-20th century. In the early 1960s, the boot was adopted by the modernist subculture, focused on jazz music and fashion. Punk subcultures later adopted the style in the late 1970s, and in the late 1970s and 1980s, the boots were worn by skinheads, punks, and students.

The monkey boot remains popular in Japan and the United States among fashion circles and denim/heritage clothing communities. The style bridges work boot functionality with casual fashion applications, serving as both a practical work boot for demanding professions and a style choice for heritage clothing enthusiasts.