If your boots are roughout or suede, smooth leather kilties can look out of place. That's why I carry a range of roughout and nubuck leathers, most of them from S.B. Foot, the tannery behind Red Wing in Red Wing, Minnesota. Here's a rundown of each one.
The S.B. Foot roughouts
S.B. Foot was founded in 1872 by Silas B. Foot and George Sterling along the banks of Trout Brook near Red Wing, and it's been part of that community for generations. All of these are chrome tanned.
- Olive Roughout: 5–6 oz, highly waterproof, and velvety smooth to the touch.
- Coyote Mohave Roughout: 5–6 oz with a brilliant forest/moss green color, much greener than the Olive.
- Sedona Brown Roughout: a 5–6 oz nubuck grain with a velvety touch. It's unexpectedly waterproof, with water beading up and rolling off.
- Creamsicle Roughout: exactly what it sounds like, an orange roughout with a bright, brilliant glow.
- Natural Nubuck: a thick, waxy feel with a luxurious, silky nap. It takes on a wild patina over time, absorbing indigo from denim and showing its creases dramatically.
C.F. Stead Acorn Rambler
Acorn Rambler is finished on the flesh side, with an antique contrast applied by hand beneath a blend of natural waxes. The result is a marbled, rugged look with a lot of depth. It's my go-to recommendation for snuff or tan roughout boots.
Choosing a cut and length
Every leather comes in the standard cuts: Standard (7"), Blind (7"), and Jagged (7"), plus Long (9") and Extra Long (11") for taller boots. The 7" fits most lace-up boots, including 6" to 8" boots. Kilties are sold in pairs, and prices run from $25 to $50 depending on leather and length.
Not sure which one matches?
Send me a photo of your boots through the chat and I'll recommend a match. If you want something a little different, like a long jagged cut or contrast stitching, see Custom Kilties. For smooth-leather boots, check kiltie pairings by boot brand.
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