Understanding Chromexcel vs Cavalier Chromexcel

Chromexcel is Horween's original pull-up leather.

But do you know the difference between Chromexcel and Cavalier Chromexcel?

 
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OILS & WAXES

Cavalier and Chromexcel are both hot stuffed, but they use different blends of oils and waxes.

 
Oils used in hot-stuffing

Oils used in hot-stuffing

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COLOR VIBRANCY

The different oil and wax blends allow Horween to achieve different types of colors. Cavalier has brighter, more vibrant colors, while Chromexcel colors are more earthy.


THE FLESH SIDE

Cavalier is always mill-dyed, whereas Chromexcel is produced on a natural back. Both Cavalier and Chromexcel are hand-stained.

Chromexcel can also be mill-dyed, but the standard is the natural back.

 

Mill-dying (dyed in a drum) allows the color to penetrate through the entire piece of leather so the flesh side will be the same color as the grain side.

Color & re-tannage drum

Color & re-tannage drum

Cavalier’s flesh side is dyed because it’s colored inside the drum before it’s hand-stained

Cavalier’s flesh side is dyed because it’s colored inside the drum before it’s hand-stained

 

Hand-staining allows the grain side to have color and the flesh side to remain natural.


Hand-staining

Hand-staining

Chromexcel’s flesh side is natural because finished with hand-staining

Chromexcel’s flesh side is natural because finished with hand-staining

 

Both Chromexcel vs Cavalier Chromexcel Are:

Combination Tanned:
Chrome tanned base with a vegetable re-tannage

Corrected Grain:
Slightly buffed to prepare the grain for finishing

Hot-stuffed

Hand-stained

Extremely durable

Strong pull-up

Great options for shoes, bags, and accessories


Shop Chromexcel & Cavalier Chromexcel