Chicago Trunk Show

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

NF Bootmaker & Unsung

Guided by the vision of Nathan (@nfbootmaker) & Grant (@unsung.house), Tannery Row proudly hosted a Trunk Show at our Chicago showroom to bring the leather community together — both local and far. Attendees were able to view a selection of unique, curated leathers and celebrate Nathan and Grant’s unparalleled skill and dedicated craftsmanship.

Boot Leathers

An exclusive, curated selection of Horween leathers were available for the Trunk Show guests to choose from, allowing them to select the perfect choice for their completely handmade, custom boots crafted by Nathan.

Pictured: Horween Waxed Flesh Chromexcel (Black & Brown), Washed Chromexcel (Black, Brown & Swirl Embossed), Rust Chamois, Golden Brown Durango, and more…

This Trunk Show provided an incredible and unique experience, bringing together a passionate community of individuals who share a deep knowledge and appreciation of leatherwork and our selection of materials.

Finished Boots

With leather selected from the Trunk Show, Nathan completed this stunning pair of boots using the new Black Horween Washed Chromexcel we have at Tannery Row. You can read additional details about this pair and see more of Nathan’s work here.

“This pair of Fritz boots features the reverse side of one of my new favorite leathers, Horween Washed Black CXL, sourced from @thetanneryrow. A while back I was poking around their racks and saw a roll of this and after pulling it out fell in love. It seems like the next iteration of another favorite, Tumbled Black CXL. The washing process stains the rough out with some of the black finish, making it more olive toned. The washing also leads to really beautiful pebbling and texture on the grain, and makes for an incredibly soft and luxurious feeling leather. I have some future pairs planned with the grain side, so you will definitely be seeing more of this tannage! . . . I absolutely love how this pair came together. It feels great to have started on the trunk show orders as well, can’t wait to share more of those with you all!”

— Nathan, NF Bootmaker

What makes a good boot leather?

Leathers such as Chromexcel, especially the Waxed Flesh variation, are ideal candidates for boot & footwear applications.

Waxed Flesh Chromexcel is Horween’s version of the old French Waxed Calf. Horween starts with the Chromexcel base, which is fully vegetable re-tanned and hot stuffed. It is then hang dried for a week to provide a tight leather. The flesh side is finished, and the grain side is left untouched. Horween uses its proprietary procedure to hand dye the flesh side. The leather is hand glazed to provide a tight flesh and final luster. WF CXL is considered a “rough out” or “flesh out” leather.

Durability

Rough-out leathers, like Waxed Flesh Chromexcel, are exceptionally durable. The finished and compacted flesh side makes these leathers resistant to scratches and abrasions, which are common issues with smooth grain leathers. This makes rough-out leather perfect for boots that need to withstand tough conditions while maintaining their appearance.

Comfort and Flexibility

Beyond durability, Waxed Flesh Chromexcel offers comfort. The combination of chrome tanning and vegetable re-tanning, along with the hot stuffing process, infuses the leather with oils and waxes, making it softer and flexible. This ensures that the boots will mold to the wearer's foot, providing long-lasting comfort even with prolonged use.

Minimal Maintenance, Lasting Style

One of the standout features of rough-out leather is its ability to hide scratches and wear marks. This means that boots made from Waxed Flesh Chromexcel require minimal maintenance compared to other leather types. The hand-dyeing and glazing processes also give the leather a unique luster, adding to its rugged, stylish appeal.