S.B. Foot Mustang

Mustang leather was used in Red Wing Heritage footwear applications, most notably in the Asian-exclusive 8140 Classic Moc Toe boot featuring the Maize Mustang colorway. The leather exhibits stiffness when new with a break-in period typical of oil-tanned materials, developing natural sheen and rich patina through wear. While not currently featured in S.B. Foot's contemporary leather collections, Mustang remains documented in Red Wing's leather care guides and vintage boot offerings.

Mustang belongs to the oil-tanned leather category, characterized by chrome tanning with chromium salts followed by oil and wax conditioning. This tanning approach creates flexible, durable leather with inherent water, stain, and perspiration resistance. The oil content enhances the leather's natural sheen and promotes the development of rich patina over extended wear periods.

The leather exhibits stiffness in its new state, requiring a break-in period before achieving optimal comfort and flexibility. This initial rigidity represents standard behavior for quality oil-tanned leathers that gradually soften through use while maintaining structural integrity. As the leather conforms to wear patterns, it develops individualized character with visible aging effects concentrated in high-flex areas.

The addition of oils during the tanning process penetrates the leather fibers, providing both performance benefits and aesthetic qualities. The oil content contributes to weather resistance while enabling color evolution and patina development that distinguish oil-tanned leathers from purely chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned alternatives. Natural grain patterns remain visible through the finish, allowing variations in the hide to appear in the completed leather.

Maize Mustang represents the documented color variation of Mustang leather, featuring distinctive yellow to golden tones. This colorway offers an alternative to the classic reddish-brown leathers traditionally associated with Red Wing Heritage footwear. The Maize variation appeared on the Red Wing 8140 Classic Moc Toe boot, an Asian-exclusive release that paired the yellow-toned leather with the white Traction Tred wedge outsole characteristic of the Classic Moc series.

The yellow coloring distinguishes Maize Mustang from the brown and tan tones prevalent in S.B. Foot's oil-tanned leather offerings. The vibrant appearance provides visual contrast while maintaining the performance characteristics inherent to oil-tanned construction. Like other oil-tanned leathers, the Maize colorway develops patina through wear, with natural marks and aging patterns becoming more pronounced over time.

Color consistency and variation within Mustang leather batches follow standard practices for oil-tanned production, where natural hide characteristics influence final appearance. The oil-tanning process allows deeper dye penetration compared to surface-finished leathers, though individual hides exhibit variation based on grain pattern, fiber density, and oil absorption during processing.

Mustang leather requires conditioning with Red Wing's All Natural Leather Conditioner, formulated specifically for S.B. Foot oil-tanned leathers including Mustang, Blackstar, Boomer, Chrome, and Portage. The conditioner features a proprietary blend of mink oil, pine pitch, and beeswax, with the beeswax component providing increased natural water resistance. This conditioning product differs from Red Wing's All Natural Boot Oil or Mink Oil recommended for other leather types, reflecting the specific needs of the oil-tanned category.

Application involves cleaning the leather with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt before applying a light, even coat of conditioner using fingers, cloth, or sponge. The leather should absorb the conditioner without heavy buildup, as excessive product can interfere with natural patina development and alter the intended appearance. The oil content already present in Mustang from manufacturing reduces the frequency of required conditioning compared to less-saturated leather types.

Regular maintenance focuses on preserving the leather's existing oils rather than aggressive reconditioning. Light cleaning after exposure to salt, mud, or heavy soiling prevents contaminants from drawing moisture from the leather or creating staining. The inherent water, stain, and perspiration resistance of oil-tanned construction provides baseline protection, though periodic conditioning maintains flexibility and supports long-term durability. Avoiding over-conditioning prevents darkening and allows the leather to develop natural wear patterns characteristic of oil-tanned aging.

Mustang leather found primary application in Red Wing Heritage footwear, serving in casual boot construction where oil-tanned characteristics provided functional and aesthetic value. The Red Wing 8140 Classic Moc Toe represents the documented boot model featuring Mustang leather in the Maize colorway, manufactured as an Asian-exclusive release during the early 2010s. This six-inch moc toe boot paired the yellow-toned leather with the white Traction Tred wedge outsole standard to the Classic Moc series.

The leather's oil-tanned construction suited heritage footwear applications requiring weather resistance and durability with break-in capability. The stiff initial temper provided structure for boot uppers while the oil content enabled gradual softening through wear. The water, stain, and perspiration resistance characteristic of oil-tanned leather supported both work and casual use scenarios where exposure to moisture and soiling occurs regularly.

Beyond documented Red Wing applications, the leather's placement in S.B. Foot's oil-tanned category suggests potential use in other footwear or leather goods requiring similar performance characteristics. Oil-tanned leathers typically serve in work boots, casual footwear, belts, straps, and outdoor equipment where weather resistance and aging properties prove beneficial. However, specific applications outside Red Wing Heritage footwear remain undocumented in available sources.

Mustang leather does not appear in S.B. Foot Tanning Company's current leather collections catalog, suggesting discontinued or limited production status. The leather's absence from contemporary offerings contrasts with continued availability of related oil-tanned types including Portage, Boomer, and Chrome. Red Wing's leather care documentation continues to reference Mustang alongside current oil-tanned leathers, indicating historical significance despite current market absence.

The Red Wing 8140 Classic Moc Toe in Maize Mustang leather represents a limited Asian-exclusive release from approximately 2010, with boots appearing primarily in vintage and secondary markets. The specialized nature of this release limited initial distribution, contributing to scarcity in current availability. Collectors and enthusiasts seeking Mustang leather products typically source vintage Red Wing boots through secondary channels including specialized footwear retailers, auction platforms, and heritage boot communities.

The documentation of Mustang in care guides and historical references preserves knowledge of the leather type for owners maintaining existing boots while acknowledging market limitations for new purchases. This pattern reflects broader industry practices where tanneries discontinue specific leather types while maintaining care information for products in circulation. The continued inclusion in Red Wing's conditioning product specifications indicates recognition of Mustang's place in the company's leather heritage despite current production status.