C.F. Stead Sky Kudu Reverse

The leather is sourced from wild kudu antelope native to southern Africa, with hides processed through Charles F. Stead's Janus tannage method. This exclusive colorway appears across multiple Grant Stone product lines, including the Diesel Boot, Traveler Penny Loafer, and Nora Boot. The material maintains the standard Kudu Reverse specifications of 1.6-2.2 mm thickness with average skin sizes of 13-15 square feet, while offering the unique character of natural scars and texture variations inherent to wild antelope leather.

Sky presents as a vibrant sky-blue colorway in reversed kudu leather. The color achieves a balance between bold visual impact and serene aesthetic appeal, creating an eye-catching appearance that distinguishes it from traditional boot leather colors. The reversed leather technique emphasizes the natural texture of the suede while the nubuck processing on the grain side highlights natural superficial cuts and scratches from the animal's habitat.

The distinctive blue tone provides versatility for both casual and refined applications. Each hide displays unique scarring patterns on the grain side, with the characteristic marks of wild-sourced material contributing to individual character rather than representing defects in the leather.

Sky Kudu Reverse maintains the standard specifications of C.F. Stead Kudu Reverse leather, available in 1.6-2.2 mm thickness. Individual skins average 13-15 square feet in size. The leather utilizes wild kudu antelope sourced from southern Africa, an animal known for developing natural scratches and scars from its native environment.

The material combines the softness characteristic of kudu leather with inherent strength required for footwear applications. The wild origin of the hides contributes to their distinctive character, with natural blemishes becoming visible design features through the nubuck processing on the grain side. The full-grain suede construction provides exceptional flexibility and resilience while maintaining the luxurious texture associated with premium antelope leather.

Sky Kudu Reverse undergoes the Janus tannage process employed by Charles F. Stead, which creates an extremely soft touch on the suede side while maintaining structural integrity throughout the leather. This process produces a material with soft suede on the reverse side and a nubuck finish on the grain side, allowing both surfaces to be utilized in footwear construction.

The leather's dual-sided nature enables distinct applications depending on design requirements, with panels featuring either the smooth nubuck side or the suede side. Natural superficial cuts and scratches are highlighted through the nubuck processing, making each piece of leather visibly unique. The material creates an interesting casual appearance while offering the full character of wild antelope leather in the distinctive sky-blue colorway.

Sky Kudu Reverse leather is not waterproof but can withstand water exposure without damage. Salt represents the most harmful element to the material and should be avoided. When boots or shoes become wet, allowing natural drying with shoe trees inserted maintains proper shape and prevents structural issues.

Regular maintenance involves using a suede brush to remove loose dirt and restore the nap's direction. For persistent marks and stains, a suede eraser provides effective cleaning without damaging the leather's surface. Optional application of suede waterproof spray enhances resistance to moisture and staining. The leather's natural resilience allows it to maintain appearance through regular use when basic care protocols are followed.

Grant Stone produces multiple footwear models in Sky Kudu Reverse leather as part of their exclusive arrangement with Charles F. Stead. The Diesel Boot utilizes Sky Reverse Kudu on Grant Stone's Leo last with micro-stud rubber sole construction. The Traveler Penny Loafer was released in Sky Reverse Kudu in October 2021, while the Nora Boot received the colorway in February 2023.

The distinctive sky-blue color provides Grant Stone customers with a bold alternative to traditional boot leathers while maintaining the premium characteristics of wild antelope material. The exclusive nature of the colorway, combined with the inherent character of kudu leather, creates products that appeal to customers seeking unique leather options with authentic wild-sourced markings. The material's soft touch and natural durability make it suitable for both casual and refined footwear applications across Grant Stone's product range.