First of all it is MADE IN USA!
The tongue and toe of the shoe is made of the same soft cloth material. This allows for easy  expansion of high instep. The sides are leather reinforced with seems for greater stability. By using soft material instead of leather allows for lighter shoe. And the price is great compared to all leather shoes. If management wanders why leather toe and cloth tongue create problems for a leg with high instep because expansion of leather and cloth material are different. Leather restricts expansion.