Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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* Full article: stridewise.com/best-leather-for-boots
* Learn more in my visits to some of these brands:
- Chicago's Horween Tannery: youtube.com/watch?v=syYnAep6rR0
- England's CF Stead Tannery: youtube.com/watch?v=X7DTfAPFMWU
- How Horween makes shell cordovan: youtube.com/watch?v=4hpDO1W5-vY
- the big Indonesia trip: youtube.com/watch?v=HZHiDSg6fI8&list=PLNld8fx1SmnkNYSh7we345L0m5Wg-XEai

Here's my introductory guide to very good leathers for boots, the tanneries that make them, their perfectly great alternatives, and the different kinds of leathers that different guys like for different situations. I made this video pretty broad: there are plenty of fantastic tanneries out there but I'm keeping this simple and emphasizing the most famous leathers that are the easiest to find.

00:00 intro
00:49 the best leather for casual boots 
02:12 what's pull up leather? 
02:42 Is full grain leather best for boots? 
03:12 the best leather for dressy shoes or boots
03:57 what's box calf?
04:25 the best suede for boots and shoes
05:04 is suede formal?
05:22 suede vs roughout
06:36 best vegetable tanned leather
08:10 best shell cordovan
08:48 best horsehide leather
09:21 best kangaroo leather
09:58 best bison leather
10:16 best kudu leather
10:50 best oil tanned leather
11:10 wrapping up