Black Waxed Deer Leather Boot

A black boot in deer leather — lighter under the hand than the hides most boots are cut from, and with a history still readable on the surface.

The leather is Teton Waxy Stag from Gallun Tannery, made from white-tailed deer local to the Great Lake States and culled annually during the fall hunting season, so the hides do not go to waste. Gallun's proprietary light metal Alum tannage is the base; the hide is then retanned with colour, wax and oils that dye, lubricate and fill the soft, spongy fibres deer leather is known for, which is what turns it into full, robust leather. The tannery buffs the top grain lightly and rolls an emulsified wax over the rest. That buffing reduces the visibility of scars, scratches, tick bites and bullet holes without erasing them. Built Goodyear welted on the Leo last: 360º split-reverse welt, full-grain kip leather lining, antique brass eyelets and speed hooks, vegetable-tanned insole, welt and midsole, cork filler over a steel shank, full-grain leather heel counters, micro stud rubber outsole.

Black hides most of that story until you look closely, which is the appeal. This is an everyday boot with an unusual hide under it.