World Famous Horween Leather

Making leather for over 120 years in Chicago under the same Horween family, is one of the reasons PORTMAN uses Horween Leather. Horween leather is famous for their incredible spectrum of tannages, colours, textures and refined techniques. With each skin, the leather is expertly tanned and still made by hand, you can feel the difference in your own hands too.

Horween offers many tannage types for many different scenarios. As many men’s footwear enthusiasts will know, Horween is famous for their Shell Cordovan. It is strong, shiny, incredibly amazing to the touch and has one of the best patinas known to mankind.

Chromexcel

The Chromexcel tannage is a very waxy, almost weatherproof, leather that is easy to maintain and for special order only. Chromexcel is not for the faint of heart, it is waxy and not intended for direct skin or light coloured fabric exposure. Most commonly found on my shopping bags and outdoor gear.

Essex

The same tannage that Horween uses for their Shell Cordovan, but on their calf leather is called the Essex line. This line uses calfskin leather which contains many of the characteristic traits of a Horween tanned leather. It develops a rich patina and tends to be age softer as it breaks in.

Latigo

The Latigo tannage utilizes a combination of Chrome tanned then re-tanned vegetable tanned leather. It benefits from both the patina of vegetable tanned leather with many modern properties typically found in chrome tanned leather such as bright colours, lightweight and unique surface patterns.

Chrome

Chrome tannage is a faster, more modern and unique method for tanning leather. Horween’s rich history and highly skilled artisans and curiers blend special mixtures to create vibrant, strong, lightweight and equally impressive leather. It is the preferred option for brighter and lighter leather goods.

Vegetable

Vegetable tanned leather from Horween is very distinct. It is pure, rich and develops a personal patina. The special blend of waxes, oils and other tannins that are trade secrets of Horween, make this leather stand out. For the true lover of traditional leather goods, goods made in this leather will need more attention, but will have the most graceful age and patina.

PORTMAN is proud to offer Horween leathers as part of my catalogue and always look forward to working with it.

Learn more on the Horween Leather website.