EVERY PAIR of Red Wing Heritage footwear is crafted with S.B. Foot Tanning Co. leather. (Learn more) Our product team works closely with S.B. Foot Tanning Co. employees to create and test different colorways and textures. The natural by-product from the food industry, the leather is crafted with over a century of knowledge to make a premium, longstanding product that ages with grace.
WHAT IS ROUGHOUT?
Roughout leathers are fashioned simply by using the reverse side of a full-grain leather hide. The grain structure remains intact and is not severed or compromised.
ROUGHOUT V. SUEDE
Suede is made by splitting a hide in half, creating a thinner material with a more refined texture. Roughout leathers preserve the full substance and durability of the material by keeping the dense grain structure fully intact resulting in a beautiful variation of nap.
DURABILITY
Roughout leather is resistant to scuffs and marks, and since the grain side of the leather is not exposed, it provides a natural barrier to the elements. Because of this feature, it requires less overall upkeep while providing uncompromising quality.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When talking about roughout leather and Red Wing Heritage styles, you can focus on a handful of the material’s benefits:
Roughout leather is thicker and more durable than suede
Roughout leather has a more unique and distinctive look
Roughout leather is resistant to marks & simpler to care for
Roughout leather continues to look better over time
Roughout leather nap can range from a tightly packed, velvety feel, with short, plush fibers, to a rougher more casual look, with longer fibers.