About
Charcoal is a dark gray colorway of Seidel Grizzly leather produced exclusively for Truman Boot Co. This thick oil-stuffed pull-up leather is manufactured by Seidel Tanning Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring exceptional suppleness despite substantial thickness. The charcoal colorway presents as a rugged dark gray tone with rich depth, offering a distinctive neutral option within the Grizzly line while maintaining the characteristic ability to develop patina through wear.
About
Charcoal is a dark gray colorway of Seidel Grizzly leather produced exclusively for Truman Boot Co. This thick oil-stuffed pull-up leather is manufactured by Seidel Tanning Corp. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring exceptional suppleness despite substantial thickness. The charcoal colorway presents as a rugged dark gray tone with rich depth, offering a distinctive neutral option within the Grizzly line while maintaining the characteristic ability to develop patina through wear.
Originally developed as watch strap leather and modified for boot manufacturing in collaboration with Truman Boot Co., Charcoal Grizzly combines substantial weight with over-the-top suppleness, creating a material that requires minimal break-in while maintaining rugged durability. The leather is infused with a proprietary blend of natural oils and waxes that provide water resistance, distinctive pull-up characteristics, and the ability to develop a rugged patina over time.
Physical characteristics and specifications
Thickness and construction
Charcoal Grizzly features substantial thickness characteristic of the Grizzly line, typically around 7.5 ounces (approximately 3 millimeters). Despite this weight, the leather maintains exceptional suppleness through the oil-stuffing process. The material is described as thick durable cowhide tanned for an exceptionally supple temper, combining weight with flexibility. The leather is very soft and comfortable from initial wear, requiring minimal break-in despite being substantially thick.
Surface and finish
The leather features smooth leather with a matte finish rather than a glossy appearance. The charcoal colorway presents as dark gray with deep, rich tones that create visual depth. The smooth surface maintains the characteristic feel of oil-stuffed material, with the matte finish resulting from the combination of oils and waxes infused during the tanning process. The dark coloring provides a neutral palette that shows aging characteristics while maintaining its distinctive gray character.
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. The charcoal color makes the leather low maintenance while remaining durable.
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. Charcoal Grizzly develops a rugged patina and natural bloom over time, which can be buffed back to its original luster with a horsehair brush. The oils and waxes saturating the leather contribute to patina development as they migrate and redistribute with use, creating subtle color variations and character development that enhance rather than obscure the dark gray base color.
Manufacturing process
Charcoal Grizzly represents the collaboration between Truman Boot Co. and Seidel Tanning Corp. in Wisconsin to develop boot leather from the original watch strap application. The stated goal was creating the most rugged, thickest leather possible while maintaining exceptional suppleness. The leather is part of Seidel's specialty leather line focusing on oil-tanned, pull-up, and waxed finishes for which the Milwaukee tannery has established preeminence.
The oil-stuffing process infuses the leather with a proprietary blend of natural oils and waxes that create the distinctive pull-up effect and contribute to water resistance. This process saturates the leather thoroughly, providing the suppleness that distinguishes Grizzly from other heavy-weight boot leathers while maintaining the durability required for footwear applications.
Applications
Charcoal Grizzly is utilized by Truman Boot Co., built in Eugene, Oregon, for heritage boot construction. The exclusive colorway provides Truman customers with a distinctive dark neutral option that showcases the Grizzly leather's combination of substantial thickness, immediate comfort, and low-maintenance characteristics. The leather is suitable for work boots, service boots, and casual footwear that benefit from minimal break-in.
The leather's water resistance, durability, and soft flexibility make it appropriate for boots intended for regular use or demanding environments. The pull-up effect and patina development ensure that each boot develops unique character patterns while maintaining the dark gray coloring that makes scuffing and wear less visible than lighter colorways.
Care and maintenance
Regular maintenance using boot protector or boot cream is recommended to maintain the leather's protective qualities and appearance. The leather responds well to horsehair brush cleaning for routine care. When natural bloom develops as oils surface, it can be buffed back to the original luster with a horsehair brush or will wear off naturally through use, maintaining the leather's deep, rich tone.
References
"Leather Notes: British Tan Grizzly". Truman Boot Co. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
"Charcoal Grizzly Collection". Rancourt & Co. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
