This leather, which has no equivalent in France, comes from a Spanish tannery. This 2.6 mm thick bovine split leather is nourished with wax to increase its waterproofing. The waxed butt is mainly intended for boots worn by equestrian professionals: they appreciate the rustic appearance of this leather and its ease of maintenance with the grease they also use for their equipment.

This very thick leather (2.8mm) was originally produced by a French tannery: BSC, which recently closed down, much to our regret. However, we found an equivalent leather at an Italian tannery, Capital, that possesses all the characteristics of the original Camargue Croupon. This leather was initially primarily intended for the use of gardians (cowboys of the Camargue). It was designed for practicality: smooth full-grain on the inside for easy on and off, flesh side on the outside, durable against the outdoor environment, and easy to maintain.

The traditional Camargue boot is made from this leather. This light-colored leather will develop a patina over time; you can also grease it to darken it and improve its waterproofing.

Again, this type of leather has no equivalent in France, so we source it from an Italian producer who is a master in tanning genuine hair-on hides.

This leather is emblematic of our history, as we have been using it since the brand's creation. Suportlo, literally "that which supports water", is an exceptional leather made by one of the most famous French tanners based in Alsace.

This leather has been re-tanned with hot grease using the same process for 6 generations. This particular tanning method gives the leather great suppleness: the leather hardens very little over time, which prevents it from cracking. This tanner exclusively uses Aveyron calfskin; it is the only one that allows such a thickness to be obtained. This significant thickness prevents the leather from sagging on top and prevents the straps from stretching too much.
Hot grease tanning gives the leather great suppleness and an incomparable luster. The calfskin develops a patina over time without ever hardening.

This same leather is used by the greatest French leather goods manufacturers and is renowned for its hypoallergenic qualities (it is used, for example, to line the straps of certain Swiss watches...).

La Botte Gardiane uses thick leathers (from 2.4 to 2.6 mm) for its boots and ankle boots. The use of such thick leathers allows us to avoid lining our shoes; it is important to know that linings are glued with latex glues that form an impermeable film and prevent the leather from breathing. Our shoe, designed in this way, is waterproof on the outside but permeable on the inside, thus allowing perspiration to escape.

This leather, obtained from a very specific tanning process mastered by an Italian tanner (who has no equivalent in France), allows for the creation of this ultra-realistic python imitation pattern, using calfskins.

Metallic leathers (non-sequined) are produced by a renowned French tanner who also works with the biggest names in luxury. He specializes in tanning smooth, metallic goat and calf leathers. These finishes with their exceptional rendering allow for any daring design.

Hydrocalf comes from the same French tannery. This leather is characterized by its suppleness, the fineness of its grain, an exceptional tactile quality, and very good water resistance (hence its name, hydrocalf). It is a full natural calfskin, supple, soft, and silky. An anti-stain treatment ensures it ages very well over time.

Tanning is crucial to the quality of leather. There are two tanning methods: mineral tanning (with chrome) and vegetable tanning, which is done with plant extracts.

The advantage of chrome tanning is its speed: less than 24 hours compared to a minimum of 1 month for vegetable tanning, and the versatility of the tanning process: leathers tanned with chrome can be very thin, become very supple; many colors are possible... so they can be used in almost all areas (shoes, leather goods, automotive...). This tanning method has therefore become predominant in the leather industry. Chrome-based tanning characterizes 99% of shoe leathers. To learn more about chrome tanning, here is an article published in the CTC (Centre Technique du Cuir) magazine on the subject.

The disadvantages are water pollution with chromium metal (even if European tanneries are all equipped with effective wastewater treatment plants) and the risk of allergies: The chromium in the version used in tanneries (chromium III) is completely harmless. It is chromium VI, which appears when tanning is poorly controlled, that is allergenic and an aggravating factor for mycoses and detrimental to foot hygiene.

La Botte Gardiane offers a wide range of models in 100% vegetable-tanned leathers guaranteed chrome-free (supplied by a reputable Italian tanner except for our Camargue calfskin vegetable leather for uppers, which is supplied by Masure tannery), ensuring perfect foot hygiene and comfort. This type of leather is particularly aimed at people allergic to chrome salts but also, and above all, at nature lovers.‍

Vegetable tanning is done using tannins (hence the origin of the word tanning) extracted from trees such as oak, chestnut, quebracho, mimosa, or acacia. This rather long method (up to 18 months of baths) led tanners to say: "to have good leather, you need tan and time." This process uses only plant extracts; it is non-polluting but uses a much larger quantity of water. It's difficult to reconcile everything. By using our shoes made with vegetable-tanned leather, you will therefore have ecological and healthy products, entirely manufactured in France, in our workshop, located at the gates of the Camargue (between Nîmes and Montpellier).

Concerned about the environment, La Botte Gardiane works with suppliers for whom the notion of sustainable development is at the heart of their philosophy. A symbiosis between traditional installations and modern tools allows these tanners and sole plate manufacturers to comply with European environmental standards. La Botte Gardiane adheres to the ECO-TLC organization responsible for managing the collection and end-of-life of products. The objective is to preserve natural resources and reduce waste.

Our suede calf leathers are manufactured by a renowned Italian tannery specializing in suede. All these leathers are treated to prevent color bleeding, ensuring perfect color retention and avoiding any contamination of textiles that may come into contact with the leather (trousers, dresses, etc.). This tannery also works with the biggest names in luxury. It carefully selects its raw materials, which guarantees a high-quality finished product, in compliance with CEE/REACH standards. The suede calf leathers from this tannery are characterized by a nap that is neither too long nor too coarse, giving it a soft and supple feel.