S.B. Foot Ebony Harness

As an oil-tanned leather with high wax content, Ebony Harness provides water, stain, and perspiration resistance while maintaining the natural characteristics inherent to full-grain construction. The leather is rewarding as it ages, gradually revealing the deep brown color beneath its dark exterior as wear patterns develop. Ebony Harness is most notably used in Red Wing Heritage footwear, particularly the Merchant model 8061, introduced in August 2016, and the Classic Chelsea model 3191, where its combination of durability, weather resistance, and distinctive aging properties serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Ebony Harness presents a very dark brown color that appears nearly black to the eye, creating what is described as a rich dark-brown tone. This coloration distinguishes Ebony from true black leathers while providing a deep, rich appearance that reads as black in most viewing conditions. The dark brown base becomes more apparent as the leather ages and develops patina, with the deep brown tones gradually showing through the dark exterior surface.

The color appearance results from the oil-tanning process and the specific treatment used during production. The leather displays a scraped look with vintage-like appearance characteristics that result from the amount of oil used during manufacturing. This surface character creates subtle variation across the leather's face, with some areas appearing slightly lighter or darker depending on oil saturation and natural hide characteristics. As the leather ages, these variations become more pronounced, with wear patterns developing lighter brown tones that contrast with darker, less-worn sections.

Ebony Harness maintains the heavyweight construction characteristic of all Harness leather variants, providing substantial thickness appropriate for work boot applications and heavy-duty leather goods. In belt applications, the leather measures 4.5 to 5 millimeters in total thickness, backed with a second layer of thick leather and stitched with bonded nylon thread to create durable accessories capable of daily wear. The leather's water, stain, and perspiration resistance makes it practical for accessories and footwear exposed to varied conditions.

As a full-grain leather, Ebony Harness retains the complete natural grain surface without correction or buffing. The leather is made from United States sourced steer hides, which are a natural byproduct of the American food industry. This preservation of the grain structure means that natural characteristics including small scars, scratches, and grain variations remain visible in the finished leather, though the dark color minimizes their visibility compared to lighter Harness variants.

Ebony Harness exhibits extensive patina development potential, with aging characteristics that gradually reveal the deep brown color beneath the dark exterior. The leather is described as rewarding as it ages, with the patina development creating visual interest through the exposure of underlying brown tones at high-flex areas, creases, and wear points. This color evolution distinguishes Ebony Harness from non-aging black leathers and creates personalized appearance that reflects individual wear patterns.

The aging potential noted in official Red Wing product descriptions indicates that the leather develops character over time, though the specific timeline varies based on wear intensity and maintenance practices. Boots or goods subjected to frequent use in varied conditions develop patina more rapidly than items with occasional wear. The oil and wax treatment inherent to Harness leather contributes to this aging process, allowing the leather to evolve visually while maintaining its protective properties.

Ebony Harness, like all oil-tanned leathers with high wax content, is robust and requires straightforward care. Routine cleaning involves removing surface dirt and debris using warm water and a soft brush. For leather that has accumulated heavy dirt or stains, Foam Leather Cleaner may be applied with a cloth or brush, then wiped away with a damp cloth and allowed to dry completely before any conditioning treatment.

For conditioning, waxier leather conditioners are recommended for Ebony Harness, with attention to avoiding products that significantly darken the leather. Suitable products include Mink Oil, All Natural Boot Oil, or All Natural Leather Conditioner. Red Wing's All Natural Leather Conditioner is specifically created for oil-tanned leathers and uses beeswax for increased water resistance, though it may initially darken the leather when applied. Leather Protector spray may also be applied to enhance resistance to dirt accumulation and moisture penetration while maintaining breathability.

The conditioning frequency should balance leather health with patina development. For typical wear conditions, conditioning several times annually is sufficient to maintain the leather's protective oils while allowing natural aging to occur. Boots or goods that experience frequent wetting require more frequent conditioning to replace oils depleted by water exposure, though excessive conditioning should be avoided as it can saturate the leather and slow the natural patina development that makes Ebony Harness rewarding to wear over time.

Ebony Harness serves as the signature leather for several Red Wing Heritage models, most notably the Merchant 8061 and Classic Chelsea 3191. The Merchant 8061, introduced in August 2016, features a 6-inch height with a round work shoe silhouette drawing inspiration from 1920s traditional work boot designs. The boot is built without toe reinforcement, creating a slimmer profile appropriate for both work and casual wear contexts. The Merchant incorporates Goodyear welt construction and a Chemigum sole that has been used since 1964, providing traction while maintaining a classic aesthetic. The boot is built on Last No. 8, which is also used for the Blacksmith model, and is produced at the S.B. Foot leather tanning facility. The Merchant was named as an homage to Red Wing's founder, Charles Beckman.

The Classic Chelsea 3191 demonstrates Ebony Harness in a refined slip-on configuration featuring elastic side goring and pull tabs for easy entry. The Chelsea design utilizes Goodyear welt construction and features a Black Traction Tread outsole that complements the dark brown leather. The boot is built on Last No. 8, the same last used for the Iron Ranger and Blacksmith models, and includes a leather-covered Proron insole with a fully cushioned footbed for comfort. Made in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA, the Chelsea 3191 is resoleable at Red Wing Shoe Stores. Due to the Last No. 8 fit characteristics, Red Wing retailers recommend dropping half to a full size for this style.

Both applications benefit from Ebony Harness's combination of weather resistance, durability, and distinctive aging properties. The leather's oil saturation and wax content make it particularly appropriate for footwear intended for use in varied weather conditions. Beyond Red Wing Heritage's own production, Ebony Harness is available through authorized leather craft suppliers for custom leather goods applications, with belt production representing a significant craft use case where the leather's thickness and durability provide appropriate structure for heavy-duty construction.

Ebony Harness is available through multiple channels serving both consumer and craft markets. For consumers, Ebony Harness appears in finished Red Wing Heritage footwear products available through Red Wing retail stores, authorized dealers, and international Red Wing Heritage retailers. The Merchant 8061 and Classic Chelsea 3191 represent the primary consumer applications of this leather type, with both models distributed through Red Wing's established retail network including official Red Wing stores in Europe at locations such as Red Wing Berlin, Red Wing Amsterdam, and Red Wing London.

For leatherworkers and small-scale bootmakers, Ebony Harness can be obtained through authorized craft leather suppliers specializing in S.B. Foot tannery products. Suppliers including North Star Leather Co. offer Ebony Harness for belt and leather goods production. The leather is typically available in appropriate weights for various applications, with belt stock measuring 4.5 to 5 millimeters in total thickness. All Ebony Harness leather is made in the United States at the S.B. Foot facility in Red Wing, Minnesota.

The availability of Ebony Harness through both finished goods and raw material channels reflects its role as both a heritage footwear component and a craft leather suitable for custom work. However, unlike some other Harness variants that appear across numerous models, Ebony Harness has more selective distribution, appearing primarily in specific Red Wing Heritage styles rather than across the full lineup. Both the Merchant and Classic Chelsea models are resoleable at Red Wing Shoe Stores, supporting long-term ownership and maintenance of products made with this leather.