Seidel 1964 Brown Roughout

The leather combines the 1964 Roughout hot-stuffed chrome tanning process with a classic brown finish on the roughout surface. At seven to eight ounces thickness, the leather begins with a dense temper but breaks in with minimal effort due to the heavy oil infusion. The brown roughout finish exposes the napped flesh side of the steerhide, creating a textured surface that develops patina as the leather ages.

The 1964 leather originated from a two-year collaboration between Nicks Handmade Boots and Seidel Tanning Corporation. The inspiration came from a vintage pair of Nicks boots from the late 1970s or early 1980s that featured thick leather with surprising suppleness. Nicks partnered with Seidel Tanning to replicate these characteristics in a modern production leather.

Brown was selected as the first color for the 1964 roughout line when it launched in 2021. The color choice reflected a traditional work boot aesthetic while demonstrating the leather's performance characteristics. Following the brown release, Nicks expanded the 1964 color palette to include black, walnut, chocolate, mahogany, ash gray, monarch, and tan.

The brown finish presents as a medium-brown tone that Nicks positions as a versatile neutral. The color differs from 1964 Walnut, which exhibits more of a greyish brown appearance. The brown roughout surface shows the natural variation inherent in the flesh side of steerhide, with subtle tonal differences across the leather.

The napped roughout texture creates visual depth in the brown color that distinguishes it from smooth brown leathers. The textured surface catches light differently than grain-out finishes, producing a matte appearance. As the leather ages, areas not covered in dirt and dust darken significantly, with the brown base color developing richer tones over time.

The 1964 Brown Roughout demonstrates the easy break-in characteristics of the entire 1964 line. Despite the substantial seven to eight ounce thickness, the heavy oil infusion from Seidel's hot-stuffing process creates pliability after the first few wears. The leather maintains density and durability while avoiding the extended break-in period typically associated with thick work leathers.

The brown roughout surface excels at concealing scuffs and scratches that would be visible on smooth leather finishes. The textured nap naturally disguises surface damage, making the leather well-suited for work boot applications where cosmetic wear is expected. Regular brushing with a hard bristle brush removes accumulated dirt and dust while maintaining the napped texture.

The brown color develops patina through use, with high-wear areas darkening as oils migrate and surface wear occurs. The roughout construction allows the leather to age while maintaining a consistent appearance, as the napped surface resists the uneven wear patterns that can affect smooth finishes. The brown tone provides a neutral base that accommodates the darkening that occurs with extended wear.

Nicks offers 1964 Brown Roughout across multiple boot models in their lineup. The leather is available for the BuilderPro, Renegade, Charley, Ridgeline Hiking Boot, Packer, and Overlander models. The company positions 1964 leathers as standard options with no upcharge from base boot pricing, making the brown roughout accessible across their work and heritage boot ranges.

The versatile brown color and roughout construction make the leather suitable for both traditional work boot applications and heritage footwear contexts. The easy break-in characteristics and low-maintenance surface support use in demanding work environments, while the medium-brown tone provides aesthetic compatibility with casual and outdoor footwear styling.