Black Waxed Deer Moc Toe Boot

A hand-sewn moc toe in black deer leather, built on the high-walled Floyd last — an unusual hide on a very familiar pattern.

The leather is Teton Waxy Stag from Gallun Tannery, made from white-tailed deer local to the Great Lake States, 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, after which the hide is retanned with colour, wax and oils that dye, lubricate and fill the soft, spongy fibres deer is known for; the retanning fills those voids and produces a full, robust leather. The tannery buffs the top grain lightly and rolls an emulsified wax over what remains, and this colour carries a considerable pull-up effect that highlights the lighter tan base beneath. The buffing reduces the visibility of scars, scratches, tick bites and bullet holes without removing them. Goodyear welted with a 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.

Black keeps all of that quiet until the boot flexes. Then the tan comes through and the pair stops looking like anyone else's.