Greasy black is about as matte as leather gets. There is no gloss on this boot and no attempt at one — the hide is stuffed with oils and waxes, which leaves it flat with a faint waxy sheen and lets it take a scuff without showing much. Black laces, black eyelets and a black sole mean nothing interrupts the colour except the pale welt stitching running round the edge and the green woven Solovair loop at the heel.
The result is a working boot rather than a smart one. Rain spots, salt marks and the small scrapes that would be obvious on a polished boot simply disappear into the finish, which is why greasy leather suits people who wear one pair every day and would rather not think about them. It goes with denim, canvas work trousers and heavy cotton; it does not pretend to go with a suit.
Care is different from a polished boot. Greasy leather is fed with dubbin or a leather balm, not built up with wax, and Solovair themselves note that a new pair may need a coat of dubbin to reach the depth shown in their photographs. Wax polish will fill the surface and take the matte character away, so leave it alone unless a gloss is what you are after.
Every pair is made in England by NPS Shoes at Wollaston in Northamptonshire, shoemakers since 1881, and the construction is Goodyear welted to Solovair's air-cushioned sole — the sole of air the brand is named after. The lining is leather and synthetic. Six pairs of eyelets bring the boot just over the ankle, and the last is Solovair's 493, cut a little longer than average through the foot and slightly narrower than the 409 used for their eight-eye derby boots.
Every pair is genuine Solovair, with free UK delivery on orders over £50.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
Greasy black is about as matte as leather gets. There is no gloss on this boot and no attempt at one — the hide is stuffed with oils and waxes, which leaves it flat with a faint waxy sheen and lets it take a scuff without showing much. Black laces, black eyelets and a black sole mean nothing interrupts the colour except the pale welt stitching running round the edge and the green woven Solovair loop at the heel.
The result is a working boot rather than a smart one. Rain spots, salt marks and the small scrapes that would be obvious on a polished boot simply disappear into the finish, which is why greasy leather suits people who wear one pair every day and would rather not think about them. It goes with denim, canvas work trousers and heavy cotton; it does not pretend to go with a suit.
Care is different from a polished boot. Greasy leather is fed with dubbin or a leather balm, not built up with wax, and Solovair themselves note that a new pair may need a coat of dubbin to reach the depth shown in their photographs. Wax polish will fill the surface and take the matte character away, so leave it alone unless a gloss is what you are after.
Every pair is made in England by NPS Shoes at Wollaston in Northamptonshire, shoemakers since 1881, and the construction is Goodyear welted to Solovair's air-cushioned sole — the sole of air the brand is named after. The lining is leather and synthetic. Six pairs of eyelets bring the boot just over the ankle, and the last is Solovair's 493, cut a little longer than average through the foot and slightly narrower than the 409 used for their eight-eye derby boots.
Every pair is genuine Solovair, with free UK delivery on orders over £50.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
