One of the best suede leathers in the world?

Charles F. Stead is renowned for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. As one of the leading tanneries in the world, the company has decades of experience working with premium leathers. The tanning process - combined with the careful selection and treatment of the kudu hide - ensures that the final product is of the highest quality.

Kudu leather is rarer than many other types of leather, and Stead’s dedication to excellence makes their Kudu reverse suede even more exclusive. This rarity makes it a highly sought-after material, which is why we’re incredibly excited to offer it to you in four new and highly limited colourways.

If you are unsure of what Kudu leather actually is, then it is the hide from an African-native species of Antelope named - you guessed it - Kudu. The Kudu is a large animal with sizeable twisted horns and a grey or brown short-haired coat that features distinctive vertical white stripes. Unlike other types of leather, Kudu hides come exclusively from wild animals, as Kudu are not farmed or raised.

It is renowned for its unique combination of suppleness and durability. While the grain side of this leather exhibits heavy scarring, the reverse side, has a perfectly uniform texture and luxurious nap. It has a soft suede quality while still maintaining a high degree of strength. When trying them out we'd say that they have instant comfort with minimal break-in while, with the right care, can be nearly indestructible. 

The Kudu Reverse leather used in the SMUGS is sourced from the renowned Charles F. Stead tannery. Here’s a fun fact: the tannery is less than an hour’s drive from the GORAL workshop, so when you buy these shoes, you’re not just getting an authentic Made in England product - you’re getting something straight from Yorkshire, too. A quick look at reviews online of Kudu Reverse leather will reveal high praise from some of the most respected voices in the footwear industry, all agreeing it’s among the finest leather choices available.

Over time, Kudu Reverse leather develops a beautiful patina. Of course, nicks and scratches can be removed with one pass of a brush or even a simple swipe of the hand, although the leather often looks cooler when you leave them be. Stead uses the same Janus tannage for this leather as it does for its high-end refined suedes, and it shows. So you really can wear these like you'd wear your boots, but if you want to keep them looking pretty then we recommend using a suede protectant spray and being mindful of where you wear them.

Truth be told, we had some surplus Kudu Reverse suede leather in our warehouse, and with the sun shining, we couldn’t help but try out a few sneakers in these brighter colours just to see how they’d turn out. The result? They looked so damn good that we’ve decided to release them! The catch? They’re incredibly limited - only 9 pairs of each colour, and just 6 pairs of the Tobacco. Don’t miss out, join the waitlist now to be the first to know when they drop!