C.F. Stead Polo Brown Repello Calf Suede

Leather Color

About

C.F. Stead Polo Brown Repello Calf Suede is a rich brown colorway of **Repello Calf Suede**, a water-resistant calf suede produced by Charles F. Stead tannery in Leeds, England. The Polo Brown colorway presents warm, saturated brown tones in a fine-napped suede treated with Scotchguard during the tanning process to provide permanent resistance to water and staining. This treatment is integrated into the leather structure rather than applied as a surface coating, ensuring protection remains effective throughout the material's lifetime.

The leather features average skin sizes of 12 to 14 square feet with thickness ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 millimeters. Made from calfskin sourced from younger animals aged 4 to 6 months, the material exhibits a fine fiber structure that contributes to its refined appearance and supple characteristics. The Polo Brown colorway provides a classic brown tone suitable for both formal and casual heritage footwear applications.

Material specifications

Polo Brown Repello Calf is manufactured from premium calfskin selected for its fine-napped surface quality and tight fiber structure. The leather is sourced from European tanneries in France and Germany, ensuring consistent quality and grain characteristics. The younger age of the source animals produces a fresher, finer, and more supple fiber structure compared to hides from older cattle.

The leather weighs between 3.5 and 4.5 ounces with thickness specifications of 1.4 to 1.8 millimeters according to some sources, though the general thickness range is listed as 1.2 to 2.0 millimeters. The fine nap creates a dense, tight surface texture that maintains the characteristic suede appearance while providing enhanced durability and water resistance through the Scotchguard treatment.

The rich brown tones of the Polo Brown colorway provide warmth and versatility that complement the fine-napped suede texture, creating a refined appearance suitable for traditional dress and casual footwear designs.

Treatment and properties

The defining characteristic of Polo Brown Repello Calf is its integrated Scotchguard protection incorporated during the tanning process. This treatment provides high resistance to water and staining that persists throughout the leather's lifetime, as it is part of the material structure rather than a temporary surface application. The waterproofing treatment allows the suede to develop rich color depth in the warm brown tones while maintaining practical weather protection.

The leather maintains strong yet supple characteristics with a dense and healthy fiber structure. The tight nap and fine surface finish contribute to easier maintenance compared to untreated suedes, while the permanent water resistance makes the material suitable for footwear that will encounter varied weather conditions. The full, generous handle and rich appearance result from the tanning process designed specifically for Repello Calf production.

Applications

Polo Brown Repello Calf Suede is used by heritage footwear manufacturers for dress and casual shoes where classic brown suede appearance combined with practical weather protection is desired. The leather's thickness and fine nap make it suitable for both structured boot uppers and lighter shoe constructions. The versatile brown tones pair well with various sole options, hardware finishes, and complementary leather components.

The material is particularly suitable for footwear intended for regular use in varied conditions, where the combination of refined suede appearance and integrated water resistance provides both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. The classic brown colorway works across seasonal footwear applications.

Care and maintenance

Polo Brown Repello Calf Suede requires simpler maintenance than untreated suedes due to its integrated Scotchguard protection. Basic care involves using a brass-bristled suede brush to remove dirt or dust, brushing in the same direction to restore the nap's finish. Shoe trees should be inserted during brushing to maintain shape and facilitate cleaning.

For color enhancement, suede restoring spray in brown tones can be applied from 30 centimeters away, allowing the shoes to dry completely before use. Despite the Scotchguard treatment providing substantial water resistance, some staining may still occur, so regular cleaning maintains optimal appearance. If shoes become wet or dirty, they should dry naturally before applying any restoration products.

References

  • 1.

    Repello Calf. C.F. Stead. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

  • 2.

    C.F. Stead Repello Calf Leather. The Tannery Row. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

  • 3.

    Material World: Understanding Suede and Calf Suede. Crockett & Jones. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

  • 4.

    Dr. Martens Made In England 101 Boots. Jean Store. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

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