Herring Shoes Journal

We think the Herring Badminton is the ultimate gentleman’s boot. We envisage our customers striding purposefully around the rural landscape (or local park) with their feet warmed by thick, woolly socks tucked inside their frankly gorgeous boots.

However, this boot also lends itself to the more industrial, city style of the Peaky Blinders era. Whatever your environment, the Badminton is a mighty fine boot…and a wonderful example of British boot-making.

Expertly crafted by the team at Cheaney, you know this is going to be a quality item in that it has been handmade by some of the best in the Northamptonshire business. However, it is the leather we have chosen that really make these boots stand out.

The Chromexcel leather that Cheaney uses is from the Horween factory in Chicago – a family-owned business for more than 100 years that spans five generations. Chromexel is created using 89 separate processes across 28 days.

The extensive dying process uses naturally occurring pigments and applied using heat, steam and pressure, all overseen with a careful hand. The base tan is achieved using chrome salts, hence the name Chromexcel, and characteristically yields a soft, supple and very durable leather.

The next stage is affectionately known as ‘hot stuffing’ whereby steamed mills are used to permeate the hide with the best available oils and waxes. The final step is hand-finishing the hide with coats of aniline dye and oil.

The result is a fantastic, richly-coloured leather that has exceptional character to make a boot that will show every mark and experience it goes through but will look better and better as it ages. Trust us, it really does!

We have used the same leather on other styles because we, and our customers, love it so much. The Burntwood monk boot and the Burford R rubber-soled brogues are both made from Chromexcel and ooze that rugged country style.

The Badminton though is our pick of the Chromexcel-made boots or shoes. It is both characterful and classy, and like a fine wine, will get better with age.