Leather laces are the quiet upgrade that finishes a quality boot. Here are the leather types we offer, how they differ, and how to choose the right one.
Where cotton may eventually frays, a genuine leather lace stretches slightly, conforms to your boots, and develops character with age. It is the natural partner for heritage and work boots. But "leather" covers several very different tannages, each with its own feel and best use. This guide walks through the leather laces we stock so you can choose with confidence.
Leather lace types at a glance
| Leather | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rawhide, alum-tanned | Soft and supple, easy to lace | Everyday boots, an easy first leather lace |
| Rawhide, chrome-tanned | Durable with rich, lasting color | Color choice and weather resistance |
| American full-grain cowhide | Firm and rugged, substantial feel | Heritage and work boots |
| Italian leather | Refined, smooth, even round cord | A dressier leather look |
| Horween Latigo | Premium full-grain, holds its shape | Your finest boots |
Rawhide alum-tanned leather
Our most approachable leather lace. Alum tanning keeps the rawhide soft and supple, so it laces easily and breaks in fast. The 72" rawhide alum-tanned laces come in a spread of natural earth tones and are a great introduction to leather laces.
Need extra length for tall logger, lineman, or packer boots? The same leather is offered in a 108" length.
Rawhide chrome-tanned leather
Chrome tanning yields a tougher lace that holds vivid color beautifully and stands up to weather. Our 72" rawhide chrome-tanned laces bring leather durability with a broader, richer color range than the natural rawhide.
American full-grain cowhide
For a firmer, more substantial lace, our 72" American-tanned cowhide laces are cut from full-grain hide. They have a rugged hand that suits heritage and work boots, and they patina handsomely with wear.
Italian leather cord
If you want a more refined leather look, the 72" Italian round cord leather laces are a smooth, even 3Ā mm cord with a dressier character ā at home on finer boots.
Premium: Horween Latigo
Few names carry more weight in leather than Horween, the storied Chicago tannery prized by bootmakers. Its Latigo is a combination-tanned leather known for strength and a deep, even color ā firm enough to hold its shape, supple enough to lace smoothly. Our 72" Horween Black Illini Latigo laces are the top of our leather range, cut for your very best boots.
How to choose
Start with length ā match your boot's eyelet count first (most leather laces here are 72", with a 108" option for very tall boots). Then choose by feel: alum-tanned rawhide for soft and easy, chrome-tanned rawhide for color and weather, American cowhide for a firm rugged hand, Italian cord for a refined look, and Horween Latigo when you want the finest. Every one is full-grain and will develop a patina that is yours alone.
Caring for leather laces: condition them the same way you care for your boots. A light wipe of leather conditioner once or twice a year keeps them supple and deepens their color over time.
Frequently asked questions
Are leather laces more durable than cotton?
Over years of wear, yes. Full-grain leather is the most durable lace material and ages into a personal patina rather than fraying.
What is the difference between alum-tanned and chrome-tanned rawhide?
Alum-tanned rawhide is softer and more supple; chrome-tanned rawhide is tougher and holds vivid color and weather resistance better.
What length leather lace should I choose?
Match the lace to your boot's eyelet pairs. Most of our leather laces are 72", which suits tall boots and boots with speed hooks, with a 108" option for logger and lineman boots.
Leave a comment