The 10 Best Leather Tanneries in the World

[@TheRacerRich]

I was very surprised when my bespoke shoemaker told me Horween was the best. I expressed surprise that as a European he didn't have a preferred European tanner, and he told me there are tanners in Spain that aren't as good, tanners in Italy that are sometimes as good and sometimes worse and you don't know what you're going to get, and tanners in France that are just as good but cost more, so why. He does use leather from other tanners because Horween doesn't make every type of leather that is on the market, but that was his take.

[@BC08]

That doesn’t surprise me in the least

[@robdubent]

@@BC08no kidding. As a leather craftsman of 15 years I’m not either and would say he knows what he’s talking about

[@DalesLeatherworks]

SO HAPPY to hear you mention BADALASSI!!!! glad to see SB Foot in here too, I have some new olive roughout kilties/false tongues from Trinity Handmade sourced from SB Foot. I laughed so hard when you mentioned LeFarc lmao!!! also, who's Horween? Never heard of them............ LMAO!!!

[@Ohios1Cheesehead]

Very cool video. I'd would've made W&C a spot. Mmmm so nice!

[@jess_o]

I am definitely going to be picking up a boot in CF Stead's kudu leather sometime in the future!

[@kurtsalm2155]

I would love to see a video on the 10 best tanneries specializing in garment grade leather.

[@robinkuijpers4804]

Weinheimer in Germany, Du Puy in France, great Box Calf as well. Great video, I couldn't find the interview you mentioned? (about terminology)

[@Stridewise]

Oh I'm so stupid! I'll add it, thanks

[@bryanduchane2371]

How is the pull-up leather that Txture uses??

[@harrypalmer7169]

I have a pair of boots made from Horween Chrome excel leather and they are excellent. Wonderful leather.

[@jeanmartox3570]

Hello to France ! In France a tanneries in végétal for alf sole. The last tannerie use Oak for a végétal good work. Thanks.s you for all your vidéo. Happy 'new year!!

[@Stridewise]

Merci infiniment mec

[@jeanmartox3570]

@@Stridewise c'est moi qui vous remercie pour remettre le beau à l'ordre du jour!!!

[@luyolomify]

Guidi is probably the most famous one in that list considering it’s quite popular with the avant-garde crowd in fashion.

[@justynmoore9670]

What is the boot in the thumbnail for the video?

[@augustmay444]

How about JR oak bark tannery in Germany?

[@oyster_3694]

Wickett and Craig! All veg tan deliciousness!

[@robdubent]

Horween Shells and Dublin, Chromexcel has the market cornered for sure. Gotta pay to play though… Hermann Oak I use to make some very strong belts- great for straps and whatnot as well.

[@detfrankbullitt1]

What is the Best Leather Conditioner to use on Distressed or what they call Crazy Horse/Apache Bay leather boots??

[@bob131963]

I've been subscribed for a while and I'm surprised your channel isn't as big as the video quality you produce. Hope you grow this year!

[@Stridewise]

Me too haha thanks Rob!

[@suryakantdhakrao9318]

Good information on Tanning Industry ! You may please come India and show Tanning Industry status

[@AM35_C-137]

Ahh, full appreciation for the page you have. Good video. How far from top 10 is seidel?

[@jacobhunter7195]

Love the channel nick.

[@Stridewise]

Appreciate that Jacob

[@Case16710]

I know the list isn’t comprehensive, but if you are listing Top Ten, Tanneries Haas is owned by Chanel and used by Hermès and is probably the top luxury tannery. Also, as others have said, Wickett & Craig seems like an omission.

[@dainsmart6237]

Where dose loake shoes get there leather? Thanks D.smart

[@liljuanito123]

Which boot is that in the thumbnail?

[@brightvalve]

Hey Nick, a fellow Aussie here. IMO you pronounce the first R in Parkhurst a little too short but its perfect in Le Farc 👌😄

[@mattsmith7940]

In the thumbnail it shows a visvim brigadier boot. But you don’t mention which tanneries visvim uses. Do you happen to know?

[@Stridewise]

That's suede from CF Stead!

[@edf2953]

Wow! What a great idea for a video. I’ve recently been wondering where I might get such info and Nick comes to the rescue. Glad to see that Horween made it on your list of the best leather tanneries. I can’t believe how much time and effort you must have put into this video. I’m curious if you came across J. J. Rendenbach (sp?), a German based family owned leather tannery, specializing in producing luxury soles used by various shoe manufacturers? Thanks again for making such an interesting and informative video!...Ed

[@mohamedmasood3938]

Good information 👍

[@omarvega9146]

Dang no love for Milwaukie tanneries? Law & Seidel have been around for a minute. Surprised that Wickett & Craig didn't make it either. You got a good list though. Informative as always. Thank you!

[@Stridewise]

I put Law and Seidel on here if it helps! stridewise.com/best-leather-for-boots/

[@chicagonews1878]

Milwaukee sucks

[@Winterstone]

Is there a reason that Morocco doesn't usually get noted when it comes to regional tanneries?

[@Stridewise]

I actually went to a Moroccan tannery last year and got a belt, I didn't love it.

[@minnesota-hk1vp]

Interesting video!

[@Coleone139]

That bag looks Arizona Adobe-ish.. did you scratch it with your nail a bunch of times? Lol. I like your jacket. This background music is.. creepy, like the soundtrack to a modern zombie flick lol. I have that Red Wing belt! (Still nib) I knew it was veg but thought it was SB, you’re so informative 😊

[@psychmr2365]

What would be a good leather for a Dominatrix’s leather teddy?

[@tommysmith7031]

Very informative video Nick. FARC reminded me of the Colombian Guerillas, although tannery probably a better association with the word.

[@Stridewise]

Haha even more niche!

[@rejathr9578]

Done know why Bole from Sweden isn"t on this list. They're the only remaining spruce-bark tanner in the world.

[@romanopeterj]

Thank you for the education In this and all your videos!

[@Stridewise]

Means a lot Pete!

[@aceaustralian]

Great informative video. Thank you

[@Stridewise]

Glad you liked it Adrian

[@joshuataylor81]

Yet another fascinating video Nick! Great list you put together for certain! Thank you! Funny, I always find myself ending nearly all my sentences with explanation marks here! 😆

[@Stridewise]

Josh!!!

[@joshuataylor81]

@@Stridewise LOL!!!🤣🤣

[@vomitorchestra]

Review on the Thursday aviator jacket? Curious on your thoughts.

[@Stridewise]

It's very good but the lining tore, had to replace it :( they've improved it now though

[@P87-z4h]

Nice jacket. What brand?

[@FreedomAttacker1]

I may be wrong, but that looks like the Satchel & Page bomber jacket with the wool collar removed. I've got one of those myself. It's super pricey but worth every dollar imo

[@Stridewise]

@@FreedomAttacker1 It's actually Thursday's flight jacket, I don't think they make it anymore. Lots of people mistake it for Satchel and Page!

[@torki0147]

Thanks for this information, can you tell me which brand of jacket you are wearing? Thanks.

[@Stridewise]

It's the Thursday flight jacket, I'm not sure if they're ever going to restock it though! Satchel & Page has a very similar one

[@chuckcole2625]

Wicket and Craig?

[@adhyantorokusumo7451]

Visvim in the thumbnail but u didn't mention it at all

[@MN_sims]

I'm shocked Wickett & Craig isn't on here!

[@chicagonews1878]

Horween and Wickett & Craig are best in the USA

[@elmarwaldvogel3383]

Yes, that was very interesting! Thanks a lot.

[@Stridewise]

Glad you liked it Elmar!

[@rockon21ful]

Awesome content‼️😎👍🥾

[@Stridewise]

Thanks a ton Trevor

[@francescocavaliere9585]

What about Swiss company call Gallo Gallusser family ? Very famous in Europe their vacchetta...Perwanger is an other one, fantastic leather,

[@Marco-nq2qn]

Perwanger is the best suede tannery from the italian alps, since 1780, they invented the first waterproof suede! Gallusser sadly went out of business some time ago...

[@georgedoolittle9015]

Hard to imagine how massive the US Tannery business was at one time all based upon Hemlock and water plus remarkable innovation. Everything changed with the Railroad when near all leather making moved West to where the Cattle Barons roamed. Still Leather was produced on an industrial scale and to such an extent single handedly created the leather furnishings Industry. Sewing machines and the fabric business further solidified an absolutely massive Industry for making clothing much of which moved to the US South then as now to China now back to Mexico as noted here. So much changed with the discovery of vulcanizing rubber it's a miracle any of this survives today. Still given prices one has to wonder if much of this Industry really wants to survive quite honestly. Leather has powerful uses out West though where the climate and lifestyle be far more suitable. They won't be interested in any of the crap presented here but the sentiment is at least solid. Wool and canvas manufacture is a huge Industry in North America as well that only survives because of its Western Heritage. People are so OCD over shit kickers don't really know how any of this survives other than in stylized form.

[@ttop64]

Hey Nick . Love the leather bomber jacket . The leather looks buttery soft.

[@Stridewise]

Haha thanks! It's from Thursday, but I don't know if they'll ever restock it. Satchel & Page has a similar one

[@galou0090]

Stridewise, I love your jacket! What brand is it?

[@Stridewise]

Thursday but they dont do this color anymore! Satchel & Page have a similar one

[@jeffreygoss8109]

I never stop hearing about JR soles

[@biascd]

I think the addition of SB Foot and Lefarc in this list is strange. Both of those tanners are primarily low cost leathers and far from the “best tanneries”. I would take Montebello or Opera, or any of the Sull Arno tanneries before I even thought about SB Foot. They might not even hit top 50

[@biascd]

If you wanted further American tanneries, I think American Tanning for their alligator would be up there

[@BC08]

Top 10 from a Red Wing boot fan’s perspective….lol

[@walterblack666]

I'm going to need you to create 10 videos personally visiting these locations. Let's crowd fund it.

[@Stridewise]

You're a good friend! I think I'm visiting SB Foot and Badalassi invited me out there once the pandemic dies down. I'd be paying for it but screw it I want a trip to Italy anyway lol

[@StepanManko]

JR isn't here?

[@daveharkness701]

Nick, love your channel. Only thing I’d clarify is that Baker is the only remaining oak bark tannery left in England. As a couple of people have already mentioned, Joh. Rendenbach (JR soles) is probably the most famous oak bark tannery and it’s located in Germany.

[@Stridewise]

I only said it's the only oak bark tannery in britain, right? did i say something wrong?

[@robdubent]

I think you need to rewatch the video

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

Surprised Seidel isn’t on the list.

[@Freddy14141]

you forgot Seidel

[@mik1_edits614]

Hey! Could u pls include Mst Muhammad Shafi Tanneries too They da best

[@lemonhead250]

Where is this tannery located and what kind of leather. How long have they been in business

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

No

[@TehDFC]

Great vid-thanks.

[@Stridewise]

Glad you liked!

[@lx_anda]

Sedgwick gets my vote ✔

[@zHumanfactor]

Really good review of all these tannery's Nick. Well done sir. Btw, was that you in the video wearing a suit? You dress up well. :)

[@Stridewise]

Haha I rarely do but when I do..

[@pamansaru327]

no Maryam:( ?

[@Stridewise]

man I need to re-do this video for sure

[@greenman5255]

I've got a wallet made from Shinki Hikaku's Shell Cordovan and it is amazing (it's been through the washer and dryer a few times, yet you would never know it). I also have a roll top backpack made from SP Foot's "Copper Rough & Tough" leather and it holds up to an absolute beating.

[@1979augistine]

SP you mean SB

[@robdubent]

Shinki makes a fantastic Shell.

[@rgm220]

It’s a shame you didn’t mention Maryam

[@biascd]

Maryam kangaroo leather is amazing

[@alfonz84]

good list, you should make it 20 instead of 10.

[@RigsLife]

Very surprised Wickett & Craig isn't on the list

[@rumidude]

Excellent video! I am learning more about leather and this was really informative.

[@Stridewise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thevintagefuture6567]

Yeah, maybe W&C and some others (Maryam) coulda been on here, as they are all saying😂 Maybe a different title would have helped. Like “Renowned Tanneries” instead of “Best”. 🤷🏽‍♂️ But dude, another great video! Super informative, and the top notch footage was so helpful. You always explain things so clearly and succinctly. I had to laugh when you named the over abundance of footwear made with Horween CXL 🤣 Thanks for another useful video🙏🏽

[@Stridewise]

Loved this thorough comment, appreciate it!

[@Kudusole]

Some of them I have worn them; others need to check them out!!!

[@krisjonesuk]

It seems odd to mention J &FJ Baker and not to have included JR Rendenbach, perhaps the most famous of oak bark tanneries.

[@tiarajucardosodeoliveira9928]

Great!

[@NorthStarLeather]

Was cutting Chromexcel while watching this...

[@erwinrommelai]

4:49 caught me off guard. Thought Ronald McDonald was making a guest appearance.

[@ptvasu1126]

Good

[@sheikhkhalid5969]

Bangladesh exports croc-meat to Germany, dunno what they do with the skin. It's just one crocodile farm in Mymensingh district or nearby. Experimentally, most people are deprived, which makes for so much space for isolationist narrative 😔

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

🙄

[@kevinwiercyski4118]

Wickett and creig is the best imho

[@Stridewise]

yeah i should have included them!

[@mattblair2224]

That accent is outstanding. LEFARC

[@Stridewise]

That might be my favorite part of any video I've ever made

[@mattblair2224]

@@Stridewise I came back for one more Lefarc

[@cctvspystore]

So I clicked on this notification, got two seconds in & paused before I read the description of the 10 listed best Tanneries & saw that Wickett & Craig was not even listed, smdh. Big Big fail. Skipped to the end & heard a brief mention of W&C, are you kidding me, c'mon man..that's a bunch of Malarkey

[@EmilPenn]

Malarkey... Biden surely revived this word. LOL

[@Robbie7441]

Italian veg tan leather is the world's best, my opinion.

[@jeffreycurtisjr9195]

Who makes crazy horse leather

[@ljohnston5457]

I have to agree with some of the other comments, Wicket and Craig should be in there.

[@forsta6654]

J Rendenbach, anyone?

[@Che3esyMcLove]

I miss they, too. A lot of cobbler loves their soles!

[@gqfiend]

Seriously...do you have a storage unit for all of your shit? You must have so much.

[@octaviogonzalez3258]

Ecco Leather

[@charlesbronson240]

Anyone else think horween is a little overrated? Also, where’s wickett and craig?

[@davidpielykh3996]

Could you recommend some products made of their leathers?

[@UTubeandChill]

Yeah it's a strange thing with Wickett and Craig. I've been seeing more and more pieces being made with their leathers but it's almost like they're a niche leather provider. In America, it seems like you mostly get Horween or Lefarc leather, which is odd considering Wickett and Craig are far older than both combined. I think one reason why though is cost. Wickett and Craig specializes in veg tanned leather, which is much more expensive and takes a lot longer to produce (way better for the environment though!). So maybe they aren't as popular as Horween or Lefarc for economic reasons.

[@Case16710]

@@UTubeandChill good points. Also, chrome tan is easier to care for than veg tan. It doesn’t stain or crack as easily, and most consumers don’t expect their products to darken as dramatically as veg tan will. Pull up leather hides scuffs well too. Plus chrome tan is softer and stretchier right from the start which most consumers like. That’s not good for stuff like watch straps (or any straps) and other things that need a lot of structure, but nice for a lot of goods.

[@charlesbronson240]

@@davidpielykh3996 i have a bunch of cool edc products from them. Belts, wallets, and cuffs. CraftandLore uses some of their leather. I think my belts from stock & barrel co are from there too.

[@davidpielykh3996]

@@charlesbronson240 thanks!

[@bosstweed2986]

Guidi Laced ankle boots in crocodile leather 6687.00 USD 2023 🐊👀😄

[@K8TO88]

A Great Leather review, always starts with Stridewise..... From you Aussie to another... Lefarc, not an easy one to pronounce...

[@Stridewise]

I know right haha

[@nathandkreosote9917]

Sepici Leather! Grade A Veg Tan leather for half the price.

[@Marco-nq2qn]

Man, leather has been part of my life since i was a kid playing with leather pieces... Your list is kinda strange, believe me! You completely forgot PERWANGER LEATHER, they make waterproof suede with the same secret recipe since 1780! They basically invented waterproof leather... get a talk with some alpinist about what leather they prefer to keep their feet safe at -30°C when in the alps!

[@Stridewise]

That's badass dude, thanks for the tip!

[@Marco-nq2qn]

You're welcome mate!

[@stolegrom6224]

I was also shocked....Seing list without Perwanger name on it?! o.O

[@FortnersFrontierLeather]

Wickett & Craig 100% I usually only buy from them.

[@jeanmartox3570]

Thank's for your excellent French accent : les tanneurs ont la peau dure! I send you later a vidéo on tanneries.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah I have a French degree haha

[@jeanmartox3570]

@@Stridewise i see i See! Lol!!! The tannerie is: Gal. Use in luxurie product.

[@jeanmartox3570]

@@Stridewise sorry for my Bad english!!

[@sheikhkhalid5969]

Nobody bought cows for leather since Buffalo Bill, and that was mostly about the tongues at reputation weigh in, pun intended, if you can catch English doing turns in the dust of your diction.😆

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

Most people prefer PU leather these days. Years ago there were leather jacket stores everywhere. What happened?

[@charlesbronson240]

It became normal for people to but low quality clothes

[@ARon-j5i]

This might be the dumbest list of all time. Anyone who knows leather, without any shadow of a doubt will tell you the European tanneries are far superior to Horween.. lol.. this is a joke … Starting with the fact that they make much more sophisticated leathers from far superior raw hides, offering better selections, Annonay, DuPuy, Haas and any number of “unknown” tanneries are better than Horween

[@samurai323]

Les tanneurs ont la peau dur

[@Stridewise]

carrément

[@chicagonews1878]

Fuck that Horween is the best tannery in the world!!!!

[@gqfiend]

Guidi stuff looks...unattractive.

[@johns6256]

Guidi???? That is one overrated tannery. Many other better tanneries in Italy mate.

[@Stridewise]

Should swapped 'em with Wickett and Craig