Seidel Grizzly

Leather Type

About

Seidel Grizzly is a thick, oil-stuffed pull-up leather manufactured by Seidel Tanning Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, characterized by exceptional suppleness despite substantial thickness and the ability to develop patina through wear. Originally developed as watch strap leather, Grizzly underwent modifications to temper, finish, and thickness to become suitable for boot manufacturing. The leather combines substantial weight with over-the-top suppleness, creating a material that requires minimal break-in while maintaining rugged durability.

Grizzly leather is available in multiple color variations including British Tan, Charcoal, and Chocolate, each featuring oil and wax infusion that provides water resistance and distinctive pull-up characteristics. Truman Boot Co. collaborated with Seidel Tanning in Wisconsin to develop the boot leather adaptation from its original watch strap application, with the stated goal of creating the most rugged, thickest leather possible while maintaining exceptional suppleness. The leather is used by heritage boot manufacturers including Truman Boot Co., Rancourt & Co., and Easymoc for footwear applications requiring substantial thickness without extended break-in periods.

Development and origins

Grizzly leather began as watch strap leather and underwent modifications to its temper, finish, and thickness to become suitable for boot manufacturing. Truman Boot Co. worked with Seidel Tanning in Wisconsin to develop the boot leather, with the goal of creating the most rugged, thickest leather possible while maintaining over-the-top suppleness.

The leather was developed as part of Seidel Tanning Corp.'s specialty leather line, focusing on oil-tanned, pull-up, and waxed finishes for which the Milwaukee tannery has established preeminence. The adaptation from watch strap to boot leather required specific adjustments to accommodate the structural demands of footwear while preserving the suppleness characteristic of the original strap material.

Physical characteristics and specifications

Thickness and construction

British Tan Grizzly features a thickness of 7.5 ounces, approximately 3 millimeters, making it substantially thick while maintaining exceptional suppleness. The leather is described as a thick durable cowhide tanned for an exceptionally supple temper, combining weight with flexibility. The material is very soft and comfortable from initial wear, requiring minimal break-in despite being substantially thick.

Surface and finish

Grizzly leather features smooth leather with a matte finish rather than a glossy appearance. The smooth surface contrasts with roughout leather alternatives while maintaining the characteristic feel of oil-stuffed material. The matte finish results from the combination of oils and waxes infused during the tanning process.

Performance characteristics

The leather provides easier break-in experience and responds quickly to wear due to its supple nature despite substantial thickness. Weather resistance is moderate but improves with protective treatments. The combination of thickness and suppleness creates leather that provides structural integrity without the extended break-in period typically associated with heavy-weight boot leathers.

Patina development and aging

Grizzly leather has a patina potential rated at seven out of ten, meaning the leather develops character changes through regular use. The tan caramel coloring in British Tan Grizzly is versatile, pairing with denim, duck canvas pants, and khakis, and can become heavily patinated with regular wear. The oils and waxes saturating the leather contribute to patina development as they migrate and redistribute with use, creating color variations and character development over time.

Color variations

British Tan Grizzly

British Tan Grizzly features warm tan with light brown tones, creating a caramel coloring that provides versatility across clothing styles. The color develops patina through wear, with the tan base allowing visible aging characteristics. This variation is rotationally stocked rather than continuously available, suggesting limited or seasonal supply from the tannery.

Charcoal Grizzly

Charcoal Grizzly is a rugged black leather that is low maintenance and durable. This variation is a pull-up leather infused with a proprietary blend of natural oils and waxes, giving it a deep, rich tone, soft flexibility, and character. The leather is water resistant and develops a rugged patina and natural bloom over time, which can be buffed back to its original luster with a horsehair brush.

Chocolate Grizzly

Chocolate Grizzly is sourced from Seidel Tannery in Milwaukee and develops a patina over time. This darker brown variation is used by heritage boot manufacturers for applications requiring rich brown tones with the same oil-stuffed characteristics as other Grizzly variations. The leather features the same combination of thickness and suppleness characteristic of the Grizzly line.

Manufacturing partners and applications

Truman Boot Co. produces boots in British Tan Grizzly, built in Eugene, Oregon. The company worked directly with Seidel to develop the boot leather from its original watch strap application, making Truman instrumental in adapting Grizzly for footwear use.

Rancourt & Co. offers multiple styles in Charcoal Grizzly including the Rockwood Boot, Harrison Boot Redux, and Women's Baxter Boot. The company uses the leather's water-resistant and durable characteristics for handcrafted footwear manufactured in Maine.

Easymoc uses Chocolate Grizzly for the Rangeley Boot, featuring double and triple vamp construction with hand sewing. Easymoc boots are made in small batches, handsewn individually in a Maine workshop by traditional moccasin craftsmen with decades of experience. The leather's suppleness and thickness make it suitable for hand-sewn construction methods requiring material that can be worked while maintaining structural integrity.