S.B. Foot Olive Mohave

The olive color combines with Mohave's characteristic roughout construction and waterproof treatment to create a leather particularly suited to outdoor and heritage footwear applications. The muted tone provides visual versatility while maintaining the rugged aesthetic associated with field and work boots. The color designation reflects military equipment traditions, where olive drab finishes have historically signified durability and field readiness.

Olive Mohave presents a complex green-brown coloration that sits between pure olive green and earthy brown tones. The color exhibits subtle variation across individual hides, with some sections showing stronger green undertones while others lean toward brown. This natural variation results from the interaction between the olive dye and the inherent coloring of the steerhide base material, as well as the buffed flesh side surface that accepts dye differently than smooth grain leather.

The muted quality of the olive tone comes from the combination of green and brown pigments that create a desaturated appearance rather than a bright or vivid color. This subdued coloring aligns with military color standards where olive drab specifications call for colors that blend with natural environments while maintaining visibility for identification purposes. The association with military equipment lends olive Mohave an aesthetic connection to field gear and work equipment designed for rugged use.

The roughout construction influences how the olive color appears on the leather surface. The buffed flesh side creates a slightly napped texture that diffuses light differently than smooth leather, giving the olive color a softer, more matte appearance. This textural quality prevents the color from appearing flat or uniform, instead creating subtle depth and visual interest even before the leather develops patina through use.

Red Wing Heritage has established olive Mohave as the signature leather for the Classic Moc style 8881, a boot design based on the original 1952 model created for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. The boot features the characteristic moc toe construction with white Traction Tred wedge sole and Goodyear welt construction. The olive Mohave upper provides water resistance and durability appropriate for outdoor activities while maintaining the heritage aesthetic that defines the Classic Moc style line.

The Merchant boot style 8062 employs olive Mohave in a design based on 1920s work boots. This model features a cap toe without reinforcement for improved comfort and uses leather heel and sole construction. The olive Mohave leather contributes both the water-resistant performance needed for work boot applications and the authentic vintage appearance that heritage footwear collectors seek. The unlined construction of the Merchant boot allows the olive Mohave's roughout texture to serve as both the exterior and interior surface.

Beyond Red Wing Heritage's signature models, olive Mohave finds use in custom leather goods and handcrafted footwear where the combination of technical performance and distinctive color proves valuable. The leather works effectively for outdoor gear including bags, straps, and accessories where water resistance and durability justify the material selection. The military aesthetic of the olive color makes it particularly appropriate for tactical equipment and field gear applications where the color's associations with ruggedness and reliability support the intended use.

Olive Mohave develops character through use and exposure, with the roughout surface showing wear patterns that enhance rather than detract from the leather's appearance. High-wear areas become burnished and compressed, creating darker sections that contrast with less-worn portions of the leather. This natural darkening occurs as the nap compresses and the surface oils migrate, concentrating in areas that experience the most friction and flexing.

The olive color shows dirt and staining less prominently than lighter leather colors, with the green-brown tone helping to conceal marks that would appear obvious on tan or natural-colored leathers. This practical advantage makes olive Mohave particularly suitable for work boots and outdoor footwear where exposure to soil, vegetation, and environmental elements occurs regularly. The color's ability to incorporate dirt and wear into its appearance rather than show it as damage contributes to the leather's reputation for improving with age.

As the leather ages, the olive tone may shift slightly toward brown as the green components of the color fade more rapidly than the brown undertones. This gradual color evolution creates a warm, well-used appearance that many heritage footwear enthusiasts specifically seek. The waterproof treatments and oils already present in Mohave leather support this aging process without requiring heavy conditioning, allowing the natural wear patterns to develop organically.

Olive Mohave requires the same basic maintenance as other Mohave color variants, with regular brushing using a suede or nubuck brush to remove surface dirt and restore the nap texture. The olive color shows less visual change from cleaning than lighter colors, making maintenance straightforward and results less immediately apparent. Using a damp cloth or specialized suede cleaner appropriate for roughout leather removes deeper soiling without requiring aggressive treatment.

The olive color may darken slightly when wet, with the green-brown tone shifting toward a richer, deeper appearance during exposure to moisture. This temporary color change reverses as the leather dries, though repeated wetting and drying cycles may gradually deepen the overall tone over time. The waterproof treatment integrated throughout Mohave's construction means that wetting the leather for cleaning purposes does not compromise its moisture resistance.

Periodic application of waterproofing products designed for roughout leather maintains the moisture resistance that defines Mohave's performance characteristics. Products should be tested on inconspicuous areas before full application, as some waterproofing treatments may slightly alter the olive color or change the texture of the nap. The goal of maintenance is to preserve the leather's water resistance and structural integrity while allowing the natural aging and color evolution to proceed without interference.