Badalassi Carlo Olive Green Minerva

The olive green color represents one of several standard colorways available in the Minerva line, which has been produced using traditional vegetable tanning methods for over 40 years. The leather is characterized by full-grain construction with natural pebble texture in the box variant, developing patina through wear and aging.

Minerva smooth is characterized as a classic vachetta, vegetable-tanned double shoulder leather. Minerva Box represents a grained version of the Minerva leather, featuring a natural pebble texture surface. The olive green Minerva Box is classified as 5/6 ounce leather, considered very heavy weight compared to standard boot leathers.

The leather is suitable for making shoes and footwear of all types, from pumps to boots, though the thickness and density of the olive Minerva Box limits the number of makers who can work with it. The material requires specialized equipment capable of sewing through the heavy weight leather.

Badalassi Carlo employs a vegetable tanning process where leather is placed in a large rotating barrel called a "Bottali." The complete tanning cycle requires 30 to 35 days, during which each hide is treated with extracts of trunk and bark inside wood barrels. Following tanning, the leather is greased with a mixture of animal fats and then colored in a drum.

This traditional method results in vibrant leather with transparency, depth, and grain characteristic of production. The tannery has specialized for over 40 years in vegetable-tanned leather production, with the Minerva line representing one of their signature products alongside Pueblo and Wax leathers.

The olive green Minerva develops pronounced patina over time through regular wear. The Liscio (smooth) variant grows darker with wear, with patina development characterized as burnishing that creates a smoother, shinier surface. The box variant with pebbled texture shows patina development across the grain pattern, creating depth as the leather ages.

The heavy weight of the olive Minerva Box contributes to a considerable break-in period, during which the leather gradually conforms to the foot. Once broken in, the leather maintains its structure while developing the characteristic patina of vegetable-tanned leathers.

Grant Stone offers the Brass Boot and Garrison Boot models in olive Minerva Box. The Brass Boot features a hand-sewn moc-toe on a one-piece vamp, Goodyear-welt construction with a 360-degree split-reverse welt, and a lug rubber outsole designed for harsh conditions. The boots are built on the Floyd last, which runs a half-size large, and include vegetable-tanned leather insoles, welts, and midsoles with cork filler and steel shank.

Construction details include antique brass eyelets and speed hooks, full-grain leather kip lining, and full-grain leather heel counters. The boots are manufactured at their factory on Xiamen Island, China, with the olive Minerva Box Brass Boot priced at $348, reduced from a regular price of $435.

Junkard Company produces the SC Plain Toe boot using Badalassi Carlo Minerva Smooth Vachetta, inspired by standard military boots from the World War II era. The boots feature brass eyelets with two hooks, an unstructured toe box, and two-row stitchdown construction. Jakkrabbits manufactures Derby Shoes in Oliva Minerva, demonstrating the leather's versatility across different footwear styles.

Beyond footwear, olive green Minerva is commonly used for bags, wallets, watch straps, and other leather goods. The leather's full-grain construction and vegetable tanning make it suitable for products requiring durability and patina development. Watch strap manufacturers favor the leather for its suppleness and ability to conform to the wrist while maintaining structure.

The smooth finish of Minerva Liscio enables fine edge finishing and detailed work in small leather goods, while the pebbled texture of Minerva Box provides visual interest and enhanced durability in larger applications. The olive green color offers a versatile option that complements both casual and formal designs.