C.F. Stead Autumn Spice Kudu Classic

Autumn Spice is used by heritage footwear manufacturers including Meermin and Oak Street Bootmakers for boots and leather goods. The color designation distinguishes it from other C.F. Stead Kudu Classic colors such as Caramel, Black, and Camel, though the leather construction follows the Waxy Kudu specifications rather than the Kudu Classic glossy finish.

Autumn Spice exhibits warm, burnished brown tones that evoke autumn colors and spices. The name references the seasonal palette while describing the leather's brown coloration. The wax impregnation process draws forth natural grain blemishes in the kudu hide, creating distinctive surface character specific to each piece.

The leather features a distinctive pull-up effect where the wax finish lightens when the leather is bent or flexed. This characteristic becomes more pronounced with wear, contributing to the development of patina over time. Natural marks, scars, and scratches from the wild antelope are preserved in the finished leather, making each piece unique in appearance.

Autumn Spice leather is sourced from Greater Kudu antelope hides obtained from southern African regions through seasonal licensed culling programs. The hides undergo chrome tanning at the Charles F. Stead facility in Leeds. The leather measures 4.5-5.5 oz in weight, equivalent to 1.8-2.2 mm in thickness, with individual pieces ranging from 10-22 square feet in size.

The tannery applies its Janus tannage process, originally developed for calfskin and adapted for kudu hides. This method is followed by full wax impregnation on the grain side, while the reverse side retains a soft suede texture. The grain side develops a nubuck surface that highlights the natural grain characteristics of the kudu hide. The leather structure provides natural stretch and suppleness while maintaining durability for footwear applications.

Meermin produces jodhpur boots in Autumn Spice Waxy Kudu, constructed with Goodyear welting on their HIRO last and fitted with flexible rubber soles. The boots retail for $260 as of 2025. Oak Street Bootmakers offers their Trench Boot model in Autumn Spice Waxed Kudu, featuring Dainite studded rubber soles and manufactured in the United States.

The leather's thickness and softness make it suitable for boots, accessories, bags, and leather crafting projects beyond footwear. The leather develops patina quickly in response to wear and demonstrates good recovery against mild scratches due to the wax content. The material becomes more comfortable with extended wear as it molds to use patterns.