Thanks to Horween for having me! Look our for more videos from this trip. 11 ways to save money on boots: stridewise.com/best-boot-deals Full article: stridewise.com/horween-leathe...
@Stridewise I'm pretty sure it was a chromexcel that wasn't that much different from standard. I think the roughout side was a bit more processed so it would be more uniform. Maybe I'm wrong but a standard natural chromexcel roughout would be close enough if that's the look you're going for and don't want to make a special order to Horween.
@@Stridewise it is just Roughout Natural Chromexcel. Please watch episode 15 of the Full Grain Podcast. In 1942, the demand was 15-18 Million sqft per month (each cowhide is 40-48 sqft, 20-24 sqft per side). They released the Chromexcel formula to 8 other tanneries to mass produce boots.
I have a pair of Oak Street using Horween leather and it is amazing stuff. How it changes color by putting slight pressure on it, and watching it go back to the original color is fun. Soft and comfortable as well.
Horween makes really good leather but so do plenty of other tanneries in the USA like Seidel and Wickett & Craig. What I think sets Horween apart is the diversity that they can produce. There chrome, veg and cordovan are all really good. Wickett & Craig might make a veg tan easily as good than Horween's veg but that's all they do. Also no one makes a cordovan as good as Horween. I don't care if Shinki takes a full year to make their shell when it looks and feels like plastic.
@@Stridewise It was a coincidence that I was wearing them. Almost had the Kudu boots on instead. I really like CXL. But I won't give up premium calfskin for dressier shoes and boots. And I think Nick Horween is smart enough to mention his big customers whenever he can. AE, Alden, Rancourt, etc.
I would highly suggest their new Cypress. It's Latigo leather that has been finished like Horween Dublin. CXL isn't bad but it has a lot of stretch. Ashland is showing off some Blue colored Cypress, Truman has some boots in Brown, and Nick's just finished an MTO for a limited edition in Grey. Then again some people love a stretchy leather. Each to their own.
@@Vultain you know what, that actually sounds awesome. I’ve been wanting to get some Dublin in natural but maybe I’ll wait a bit for this new leather. I’ll save black boots for calf leather. Thanks !
I like horween but they need to work on their quality control. Far too many chromexcel shows have terrible loose grain. But overall wickett and craig is a higher quality tannery in my opinion
@@Stridewise Okay, let me know. I work with them day to day. They are a customer of mine and use services at the company I work for. I know all the executives and lead "tanners" at Wicket & Craig.
Horween makes good products, mostly. However, Chromexcel is overrated. I have a collection of shoes and boots made of various types of leather and tanning processes but never had the chance to try Chromexcel, until I finally found and ordered a pair of of boots on sale at Allen Edmonds. As expected, the texture was a bit too smooth and supple to my liking. That's fine with me because it would be one variety in my footwear collection. Then I wore that pair of boots for a whole day. When I took them off, with the warmth and moisture, they emit a smell they made me a bit nauseous. I love the feel and smell of leather and I guess, despite all the hype, Chromexcel leather is an exception.
I'm not fond of CXL. But it's usually one of the best smelling leathers. Something is wrong there but I doubt it's the leather. Although different people have different chemistry based on genetics and diet so who knows?
@@Vultain I do have a sensitive sense of smell. I can smell minor gas leaks and pesticides when most people can't. They say I would be difficult to poison. On top of the smell of leather I smell an undertone of chemicals. I thought it might be the chromium part but perhaps, like in the other replies, it was something else in the boots. Not too serious. I'll still wear them but I'm not gonna sniff them 🙂
i mean i mena its by no means bad but idk why people say its the best leather in America. other then their shell, its mostly just chrome tan.... like its iight....
