EP37: Stridewise, Best Shell Cordovan, Veg vs. Chrome tan, Boot Collecting

[@77Matt]

Great intro! Nick (Horween) actually sounded genuinely insulted at the remark on Shinky Shell Cordovan.

[@shirayasha]

I loved this interview with Nick from Stridewise. This conversation went all over the place and I'm here for that.

[@Stridewise]

Thanks! At one point I stopped the podcast to make sure they were OK with how unstructured and pointless everything I was saying was, but they assured me it was fine haha

[@MrStreetninja007]

@@StridewiseI feel like the instructioness makes it feel just like a normal conversation vs scripted which makes everone more relatable

[@LastNineBreaker]

I’m surprised he went all over the place considering how on-point he wanted to be on the subject matter when interviewing with Dale.

[@MrStreetninja007]

@@LastNineBreaker ya that interview seemed odd like he was bothered by it or in a bad mood

[@Stridewise]

Thanks for having me on! Speaking of Horween cordovan, here's my trip to see how it's made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apnTdYJnjJpgrLs

[@darrenhall7454]

Great interview. I’d be so happy if Nick ‘Jim’ did some English shoes brand videos. He’s right about the lack of demand for those videos and I don’t know why. We don’t shout about our great shoe and boots brands… we’re just too British about it. We need someone like Nick to remind the world our shoe industry is still here.

[@Stridewise]

yeah I did do some factory tour videos in Northampton, one of Trickers (kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2HClaSupduDnLs) and one of Crown (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJXJm2qMatpoqMU) but I'd like to do more stuff in England. One company was going to fly me out to tour 4 other factories there, that might happen this year maybe! Like many things I do it wouldn't be the financially smartest allocation of time and energy, but I'd like to do it anyway ha

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Fantastic interview 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MrStreetninja007]

I believe we need to crowd fund this documentary

[@Stridewise]

A failed kickstarter page is so embarrassing but maybe it's worth the risk

[@MrStreetninja007]

@@Stridewise rofl ill throw 20 in

[@Vultain]

​@@Stridewise I'd also throw a 20 in for the documentary.

[@JamesMinerTattoo]

Great episode. I especially loved the discussion around the meat industry. I can tell you have done a lot of thoughtful reflection on this topic Nick H. I would love to see a world where Horween gets out in front on the lab grown leather movement. I’m sure there are multiple barriers in that space now, but I can see Horween investing in the ethical leather movement and continuing to produce the best products.

[@patrickmiao1698]

Great interview, loved that the conversation touched on a number of areas. Really got into boots the past year and a half. Didn't realize how interesting boots and leather can be. Come to realize i prefer Goodyear welts over stitchdown because the extra layer of cork or poron.

[@cdakskid]

Horween shell cordovan is #1.

[@bfettrules1239]

Yeah. I have seen Shinki Cordovan. It’s good but Horween is better.

[@AshlandLeather]

I'm here for the butt controversery

[@MrStreetninja007]

I like horserump and i cannot lie

[@ynooch]

Hard yes on the Bad Leather!

[@Stridewise]

"all your most hated animals in one tannery"

[@animusfault]

Love the show guys!

[@aradoran]

I had Kelme kangaroo soccer cleats in the early 2000’s. They couldn’t be beat for the lightness and durability.

[@AdamBrinson]

I have a pair of the Wild Boar boots from Oak Street. Tanned by Gallun and it is very stiff. Most uncomfortable boots I own but very interesting character. Pores are large and places look like rough out and others look like normal smooth out aside from the pores.

[@bfettrules1239]

When did they do wild boar? I have several pairs of oak streets. I have black field boots which I’m not too happy with. I will say that their oxfords are amazing. It’s like wearing a boot without wearing a boot. I have natural cxl trench Oxford which is my bread and butter. Wear them them most. I love them. The oxfords are crafted to perfection. I also have their discontinued bluchers in black and natural cxl which are nice.

[@AdamBrinson]

@@bfettrules1239 I got my dark waxy wild boar from oak Street back in September of 2022

[@AdamBrinson]

@@bfettrules1239 I got my dark waxy wild boar back in late 2022

[@kevinbowie9]

Interesting convo on the flaws complainers. One part of that conversation that doesn’t happen is why boot qc is bad compared to similarly priced dress shoes. And when boot qc is good, the price is crazy high compared to a comparable leather dress shoe

[@bobjohnson6321]

i have two pairs of Wolverine 1000 mile boots one in natural and one in navy that is olive tanned from Horween. the natural is different and is heavy creasing; the navy is a bit on the light side as color goes.

[@aradoran]

Might be kind of an odd question but how does the olive leather smell? Is it a pretty soft temper…pretty pliable?

[@bobjohnson6321]

@@aradoran no smell i could detect, unlike chromexcel. it has a dry papery feel. perhaps more stiff then the prior.

[@cheekibreeki9155]

Nick going FITE ME to Nick in the intro. I'm here for the fatliquor greased up wrestling match.

[@Stridewise]

I'm so glad I made some space in that 60 second video to emphasize the other tanneries do just as good work, but yes it's a downside of internet content that you have to do a certain number of 'best xyz' videos haha

[@cheekibreeki9155]

@@Stridewise I would note even a presenter would find it hard to describe the leather article in mind to an audience if they themselves don't have an example article to out exactly what they mean. Furthermore the fastest responding comments can tend to be people who had negative experiences with the leathers in question, further skewing the perceivable opinion for other people who have never experienced the leathers. This usually results in a weird dissonance between people who are dissatisfied compared to the people who are happy with their purchase, who are often too busy figuratively wrapped up in a comfy blanket with their boots.

[@davidcoleman2796]

My new Wolverine 1000 Mile boots are creasing in the wrong place just like his boots . I love them but I'm a bit pissed off . My Thursday Captain boots are still the best . I'm not moving on to more expensive boots . I'm not crazy . Or am I ? 😂

[@liljuanito123]

Horween Shell is the best

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

Wild boar are good for the environment. They do dig up the soil which is very, very good for the environment they live in which is normally mixed woodland. They allow seeds to germinate and increase plant biodiversity which also helps insect, birds and small mammals. They are also grumpy and bad tempered which is not so good for humans but as we're not good for the environment... Regarding kangaroos, they starve in Australia because European settlers farm so many domestic animals that either compete for same food in the outback or reduce kangaroos food supply. So not really bad Ieather. And I say this as an owner of a pair of kangaroo boots (and a European)..

[@ethanbaran6158]

I would 100% buy some of new Yorks finest rat hide wallets.

[@ethanbaran6158]

But only if horween tans them

[@davidcoleman2796]

I stopped trying to explain good boots, good watches and great guitars to my friends and family they all think I'm just crazy . Now I just shut up and go on vacation to Thailand. They also do not understand that . 😂

[@Matt-uf2nc]

Talking about silly leather names, followed by the marketing at the end gave me the answer to "What is the best shell cordovan?" Horween should make tannages called "Better" and "Best" 🤣

[@WeltedWare]

Shinki literally wrinkles like calf. Full creasing. Def not the quality of Horween . Have 3 different pairs in Shinki. Feels thinner too…. One benefit is to have more color diversity. That’s about it

[@Stridewise]

yeah I'm not the most educated on cordovan, I just know (and can't name) lots of folks who are, plus i met a lot of Asian bootmakers too and they hold Shinki in such high regard it seemed worth emphasizing them - while also emphasizing Horween makes great cordovan too!!

[@Esundevil]

@@Stridewise​​⁠​⁠I was kept feeling it must have been uncomfortable speaking to the maker of arguably the best shell, and having to say you aren’t very experienced with any of it after writing an article calling another one the best. I understand needing to play the SEO game, but it must make your skin crawl saying that to 5th generation maker and knowing your voice carries enough respect that it will undoubtedly sway many to think Shinki is best and they then repeat that without direct information, like you did your unnamed Asian boot makers. Carl might be on to something and avoiding the uncomfortable ethical situations.

[@aradoran]

The question is are Nick English’s cheetah yoga pants actual cheetah or is it just another misnomer?

[@Stridewise]

where are these yoga pants, i want them

[@_Sunmaker_]

I'd definitly buy gator/croc leather if it was cheaper because they are not friendly creatures.

[@davidcoleman2796]

Why does nick now look like a left wing lesbian with the short hair and glasses ? Lmao .

[@Stridewise]

this is what i get for not wearing a 20oz denim jacket in my living room