Seidel 1964 Walnut Roughout

The leather combines the 1964 Roughout hot-stuffed chrome tanning process with a walnut 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 from Seidel's hot-stuffing process. The walnut 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 that concluded with the 2021 unveiling. 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.

The original 1964 release featured brown as the first color option. Nicks subsequently expanded the color palette to include walnut alongside black, chocolate, tan, mahogany, monarch, and ash gray. The walnut variant joined the lineup as part of this post-launch color expansion, offering an alternative to the medium-brown original while maintaining the same 1964 Roughout construction and performance characteristics.

The 1964 Walnut Roughout uses chrome-tanned steerhide leather measuring seven to eight ounces in thickness, approximately three millimeters. The leather undergoes Seidel Tanning Corporation's hot-stuffing process, where heat infuses the hide with oils and waxes. This process creates the softer temper that distinguishes 1964 leather from comparable thickness work leathers.

The roughout construction exposes the flesh side of the steerhide as the exterior surface. This orientation retains the top grain layer on the interior while presenting the napped underside outward. The roughout surface marries the soft, textured feel of suede with the resilience and durability of full-grain leather. The construction method makes the leather suitable for demanding work applications while maintaining the easy break-in characteristics of the 1964 line.

The 1964 Walnut Roughout demonstrates the easy break-in performance of the entire 1964 collection. Despite the substantial seven to eight ounce thickness, the heavy oil infusion 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 walnut 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. The roughout construction provides abrasion resistance favored in physical labor industries. Regular brushing with a hard bristle brush removes accumulated dirt and dust while maintaining the napped texture.

The chrome tanning process contributes to water resistance superior to vegetable-tanned alternatives. The hot-stuffed oils enhance this water resistance while maintaining breathability. The leather requires minimal maintenance compared to smooth grain finishes, with brushing sufficient for routine care.

Nicks offers 1964 Walnut Roughout across multiple boot models in their lineup. The leather is available for models including the BuilderPro. The company positions 1964 leathers as standard options with no upcharge from base boot pricing, making the walnut roughout accessible across their work and heritage boot ranges.

The roughout construction and easy break-in characteristics support use in demanding work environments. The walnut color provides an alternative to traditional brown work boot aesthetics while maintaining compatibility with both work and casual footwear applications. The low-maintenance napped surface and natural ability to conceal wear make the leather practical for daily use in physically demanding contexts.