I think the Chili, weatherproof Higgins Mill is Chromexcel leather from Horween. Some of their other Higgins Mill do have leather from a German tannery, though.
@@chalkboardshoes interesting observation, I noticed the same thing on mine. How many other pairs of CXL do you have out of curiosity and what colors are they? I guess I sort of assumed that maybe it didn’t change color because that effect was only noticeable on darker colors or something. I also own these in the weatherproof brown, when I have a chance Im going to give them the squeeze test and see if those ones change color.
@@chalkboardshoes hey man, I’m digging up an old subject here but I couldn’t shake the suspicion that you were right about the leather. I’m 90% sure the boots I have in chili are the German leather and not chromexcel. Their website may say chrome, but it’s either a recent change or it’s wrong. I have the codes for the boots on my original box, if you ever care enough I can send you a photo. Either way they’re super soft and very comfortable, I like them. I’m just not sure how to care for them, wondering if I can apply venitian shoe cream…
I absolutely love my AE Higgins Mill boots , in fact I now have 5 pairs and just ordered another pair at the shell trunk show . It seems like there are many who despise the AE brand but methinks they really do not know or understand the product . To me they are awesome and well built as well as being very very comfortable . Trust me and go out and give em a try , you will be a happy camper ! Great review ! Keep up the good work !
Higgins mill chili and the discontinued tan version (german leather) totally underrated and so comfortable. I also have the brown CXL higgins mill which are very soft and comfortable but the CXL looks muddy and very casual. These boots are such a good deal when on sale! Just got a pair of the Tan german leather version and so impressed by how it looks. Love the texture of the leather. I have Aldens and feel like the Higgins Mill are the most comfortable and they don't use leatherboard like Alden. I wish they had a vege tan leather version.
Great review! I also have both regular and wp Higgins mill boots. I’ve said it before, the Higgins mill is the best shoe purchase that I’ve made in my life! Both my boots are in the standard brown, but I would have gotten the chili if it was available at the time.
The Higgins Mill is a tremendous boot. Like yours, my pair came from Charleston as seconds (4 seasons in as GADA and yardwear, the Dainite is still going strong). I haven't tried any of the weatherproof versions because I'm generally hesitant to "thick" boots (hence why my Red Wing journey started and ended very quickly).
i know a fair amount of boot people scoff at AE, but even now with some curious choices of materials or soles, i continue to enjoy their offerings. i have the higgins mill with brown and camo cxl from a few years back, but today im vibing on the side zip moto boots using badalassi and cf stead leather respectively. i want to learn more about those XL soles they use. im afraid to find out were they are produced but man are they comfortable. i also am digging the new sienna side zips.
I've have a pair of HM iin brown shell for 4 years and have a pair being delivered to South coast plaza. It's the hiker HM that's lined with shearling. It'll be my new cold weather boot.
@@chalkboardshoes shoes and boots tend to last a long time for us shoe geeks since we provide proper care. Dan the man Stratton is great as is kyle. I do miss byron and met the new guy 2 weeks ago
I have a pair of AE with weatherproof leather. Not Higgins but some model I forget the name of, it’s a cap toe and was a limited run. I think I paid $125 for them. I’ve not been kind to them. I wore them when working on my septic line at my mountain home and, well, let’s just say they are now well worn. What I don’t care for is trying to condition the leather, it doesn’t seem to absorb it. But they shed water pretty well and the lug sole grips. My issue with AE is the lasts as I wear 11D most of the time but I really needed to go to 11.5 and maybe an E width. I’m pretty sure these are the same last as the Higgins. I like Whites so much better however and will likely not buy any more AE. I will continue to judiciously wear my Bayfield models however since they were made to model versions found in the Titanic wreckage
I also own a weatherproof Higgins Mill in brown. The leather on that pair is surprisingly soft, like really soft for a boot. Is the Chilli version here soft as well?
Website can be tricky, but if you read carefully, the chili's are German leather. I have both these and the brown cxl. My particular chili pair is soft,supple and form so nicely on my feet and ankles. I think I even prefer it over my brown cxl, which are great as well
