Mel Compo
Everyone knows that a great boot starts with great leather. But where does that leather come from? It starts with the expertise of the tannery, where raw hides are transformed into the highest quality leather through the alchemy of the tanning process. There are countless of tanneries out there — really, we’ve reviewed everything from … Read more
Even if you’re not a leather aficionado, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of shell cordovan. And if you have, there’s also a good chance you’ve wondered, “Why is this type of leather so darn expensive?” Named in part for the city of Cordoba, Spain where it was first produced in the seventh century … Read more
Break-in pain is the ultimate paradox of new boots. One day they’ll fit like a dream, but for now the elements you love, like the stiff, high-quality leather and the thickness of the sole, can make you dread wearing them. But never fear — we’ve compiled the ultimate collection of tips and tricks to make … Read more
What exactly is a boot shank? Simply put, the shank is a load-bearing piece of steel (or another hard, flexible material) that is sandwiched between the insole and the outsole of your shoe. It usually sits between the ball and heel of your foot, under the arch. You can’t see it, but it’s there to … Read more
If you’re dropping real money on your boots, you want to be sure that you’ve got the best from the sole up; we’ve got this quick and handy guide so you’re ready when the rubber (or leather, or cork) hits the road. The Frye Jones Lace-Up 1. Leather Soles Leather, usually considered the dressiest of … Read more
If you’ve already invested in a pair of quality leather boots, you probably know how important leather conditioner is. A good conditioner will do a lot for you: smooth out small scratches and imperfections, soften and add suppleness, protect from salt and dirt, degrease and clean the surface, and revitalize the luster of the leather … Read more
Quick, where does your leather come from? Cow, calf, or sheep, usually, but there’s another option that you need to know: kangaroo. Kangaroo leather, also sometimes called K-leather, is what most people would call an exotic leather, though that term typically brings to mind rare and exalted animals. In truth, kangaroos are to Australia like … Read more
To start, let’s be clear: both suede and nubuck are types of leather. We don’t blame you if you’re confused — suede and nubuck have a totally different texture than what you typically picture when you think “leather.” Leather is what you get when you take an animal hide and tan it to produce the … Read more
When we talk about tanning leather, we don’t mean leaving it out on the beach to get browned in the sun. Tanning is the process of turning an animal hide or skin into durable, usable leather. Once the animal skin has been stripped of its fur and degreased, the water needs to be processed out … Read more