Please join us for an evening of drinks on the 24th October to celebrate the launch of the Tricker’s x Clutch Cafe Hugo Monkey Boot!
Tricker's is a brand that needs little introduction amongst footwear aficionados.
The idea of collaborating came from initial conversations we had with Dan from Tricker's, his enthusiasm shone through when talking about a specific boot from their archive. He introduced us to the 'Hugo' Monkey boot and it was decided that was the boot for Clutch Cafe. The Hugo style Monkey Boot was resurrected from an old photograph shown to Tricker's by an American customer in the 1970s. It was the follow up to their original Monkey Boot (Ethan) which was a popular style for Tricker’s in the late 1960s & early 1970s.
The history of the humble Monkey Boot dates back to World War II. It was worn as standard issue by the Czechoslovakian army with their durability, practicality and the fact they were inexpensive made them the ideal boot for the foot soldier.
After disappearing for a couple of decades, the Mods gave them a new lease of life in the 60s and 70s. The Monkey Boot soon became part of their fashion staple along with the Harrington Jacket and Levis. In the late 70s and 80s they were adopted by Skinheads, Punks and students.
We thought we'd go for something a little different for the upper of the boot and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. The black waxy commando suede is a hardwearing, water repellent leather from Charles F Stead. CF Stead is one of the most respected tanners of suede leathers in the world and have been based in Leeds, UK since 1825. CF Stead have used their original tannage method, which is designed to shrink the fibre structure by 25%, in order to create an appearance which after impregnation with their blend of waxes is unique. The end result is something distinctive with a wonderful combination of natural texture and colour. We're really excited to see how these break-in and wear over time.
Named after Mr Charles Goodyear Jr, who patented the construction technique in 1871, the Goodyear Welt is the trademark of the finest quality Northampton-made footwear.
The welt, a ribbon of leather that runs around the edge of the upper, joins the insole to the upper on every pair of Tricker’s shoes and boots. Constructing a Goodyear welt involves running a lockstitch through the upper, insole and welt, while an entirely separate stitch is used to attach the outsole. The cavity between the welt and insole is then filled with a layer of cork that moulds to the wearer’s foot, providing insulation and comfort. Whilst labour-intensive, this double-stitch reinforcement makes the shoe incredibly resilient and acts as a waterproof barrier.
For added durability and ease of wear the boot has been finished with a Dainite sole. Famous for its all-weather grip, a Dainite sole is durable and long-lasting yet flexible enough to provide all-day comfort, one of the main reasons we decided to go for this sole unit. Originally designed in 1910 by Harboro Rubber Company in the UK, the Dainite soles are known the world over.
When a shoe is constructed with a Dainite sole it has a slightly more robust silhouette. The sole is visible when the shoe is seen in profile, but thanks to its elegant design the shoe is still stylish enough to be worn for both casual & dress occasions.
These are available for pre-order from 1/6/19 - 30/6/19. Please email us at info@clutch-cafe.com for any queries.