About
Russet is a reddish-brown color of waxed kudu leather produced exclusively for Arno Shoes. Tanned by Charles F. Stead in the UK, this leather combines soft pliability with a substantial 2.5mm thickness and is re-tanned with waxes and oils for water resistance. Each hide exhibits unique natural markings from the animal's wild life in the African bush.
About
Russet is a reddish-brown color of waxed kudu leather produced exclusively for Arno Shoes. Tanned by Charles F. Stead in the UK, this leather combines soft pliability with a substantial 2.5mm thickness and is re-tanned with waxes and oils for water resistance. Each hide exhibits unique natural markings from the animal's wild life in the African bush.
The leather is featured in Arno's Bliskavka Zip Up Boot and develops significant patina over time, transforming from a dark waxy finish to a lighter, more burnished appearance after sustained wear.
Leather characteristics
Russet kudu leather is produced using C.F. Stead's specialized Janus tannage process, which maximizes the natural mellowness of the material while adding full wax impregnation for protection. The tanning method achieves a reddish-brown color through natural, undyed processes specific to this finish.
The material maintains soft and pliable handling characteristics despite its 2.5mm gauge, substantially thicker than the standard waxed kudu range of 1.6-2.2mm. The re-tanning process with waxes and oils creates water-resistant properties while highlighting the natural grain blemishes inherent to wild kudu hides.
Each skin averages 13-15 square feet and features distinctive scrapes and striations acquired during the animal's life in Southern Africa. These natural marks vary across every hide, making each pair of boots unique. The leather exhibits a pull-up effect when flexed, creating color contrast through the high oil and wax content.
Patina development
The leather undergoes distinct visual changes through regular wear. After several months, the material develops rolls and creases that reveal color contrast from the pull-up effect of the wax and oil treatment. The initial dark waxy appearance begins lightening as the surface accumulates wear patterns.
After approximately one year of use, burnishing becomes pronounced around boot tops, heels, and toe areas. The leather takes on a nubuck-like appearance as the waxy finish diminishes through handling and flexing. The high oil content allows the material to lighten significantly while developing individualized character marks.
Applying heavy oily conditioner restores much of the original dark color and revives the waxy feel temporarily. This conditioning ability allows wearers to adjust the leather's appearance and maintain protection as the finish evolves through use.
Applications
The russet finish was created exclusively for Arno Shoes and appears in their Bliskavka Zip Up Boot design. Priced at $460, the Bliskavka features this leather in a zip-up silhouette described by the manufacturer as "sleek and elegant, while maintaining rugged durability." The company markets the boot as a style that "looks infinitely better with wear," emphasizing the leather's patina development properties.
References
"Bliskavka Zip Up Boot in Russet Kudu". Arno Shoes. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
"Waxed Kudu". Charles F. Stead and Co Ltd. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
"C.F. Stead Waxy Kudu Leather". The Tannery Row. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
"Showcasing the Patina Potential of Kudu". Arno Shoes Blog. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
