Sell me on Horween Black Waxed Flesh!!

[Nosferatuman12]

First time poster here, so don’t be too hard on me.

I’ve been looking at buying my first pair of engineer boots for a while (in black, of course). I’ve been wanting a good quality boot from a company in the PNW like Wesco, Nicks, or White’s, but having to wait for months or years is a real turn off.

I recently found a shop on eBay selling the Whites nomad in several sizes, in 3 colors: Black waxed flesh, olive waxed flesh, and brown chrome excel. Without hesitation, I found my size in the black waxed flesh and ordered them.
Sounds great, right?! I get the black engineer boots I’ve been after without the wait!

Only problem is, I’m dumb, and didn’t look up what waxed flesh actually is.

Now I know.

I totally get the appeal of a waxed flesh boot. I kinda just really had my heart set on a nice shiny black leather engineer boot. Not a black boot that turns brown.
I also cannot stand the way rough out looks, especially on an engineer boot.

But…

The more I research waxed flesh boots and the patina they can produce, the more intriguing it is to me.

I guess I really just have a few questions for those with lots of experience with waxed flesh boots and who love them..

1. How hard is it to restore the boot back to its smoother black waxy texture that it had when it was new?
Say, I get tired of the brown rough out showing through, or I decide wanna clean the boot up and wear it with some nice clothes to a fancy dinner.
As I’ve said before, I don’t really want brown boots, or rough out boots, but the texture and patina are very interesting to me. I would just like to be able to go back to a clean black boot whenever I’d like.

2. Kinda goes back to my last question, but can waxed flesh boots be dressed up for something more formal? Or will they just look like work boots because of the texture/patina?

3. How tough is waxed flesh?
I plan on wearing these almost every day. I do not plan on wearing them to work (construction worker), but I do plan on wearing them on the bike and pretty much everything else. Will they hold up to moderate abuse tinkering in the garage, doing projects around the house, going to metal shows, cross country motorcycle trips, camping in the woods?

4. Do you get a lot of compliments on them?

I realize I could just return the boot and custom order one in black chrome excel, but I feel like I may be missing out on something great that will age beautifully over the years. I’d also really like to just skip the wait.

Sell me on the black waxed flesh!

Send pictures of your waxed flesh boots!

Tell your stories!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Guppy]

It's been a recent thing with "enthusiast" boots. It's roughout, but treated with wax to make the nap lay down and look smooth. It wears differently than anything else and it's visually intriguing. It's just as tough as roughout, which is just as tough as smooth full grain leather. Roughout presents the rough side in order to hide scuffs and cuts. Waxing it adds a bit of water resistance, as long as the wax is there. It's more work to clean and keep treated, but for people who like it, they like it.

If you're open to giving it a try, give it a try. If it's not what you wanted, return it or cancel the order while you can. Don't order things without understanding what you are buying in the future.

 

[Nykwil]

1. I hear it's a simple saddle soap and then rewaxing the nap back down with like a block of wax.

2. Don't think there's anyway waxed flesh can be worn in a formal situation. The texture alone makes it very casual looking.

3. Waxed flesh is pretty tough. Part of the appeal is the look of nicks and scratches that the flesh gets and the uneven texture of it all.

4. No one says anything. Unless i geek out about it.

Edit: the look is rather casual. Like suede.

 

[El Marro]

2. Don't think there's anyway waxed flesh can be worn in a formal situation. The texture alone makes it very casual looking.

I would have to agree with this and also point out that engineer boots themselves don‘t qualify as formal wear no matter what leather they are made from.
I had a pair of Wesco lace up boots in navy waxed flesh. I like the look of the leather but unfortunately the cut of the boots reminded me of clown shoes, they looked goofy and oversized, so I gave them away before I got a chance to see how they aged.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Did you try ordering a pair of White's Nomad's in Black CXL? Sometimes a little quicker/better to do so via Baker's Boots in Eugene, OR - and they have a slightly more generous return policy. I order a pair in November and got them in early January. Or if you happen to wear a pair of 12.5D there is a brand-new pair of Black/brass White's nomads on ebay new in box. (not mine) So no waiting. https://www.ebay.com/itm/365470054727?

I do have a pair of Nicks' lace up with rough out at the lower portions of the upper. They are super-comfortable - since the smooth side of the leather is next to your socks. However, they will not ever take a shine, but they are as durable as anything for work boots. Sounds like you want something you could shine up and wear on your motorcycle, I suspect the waxed flesh may not be as much to your liking. Here is a video that show how to care for rough-out and some of its traits, from another Spokane, WA maker:

 

[TartuWolf]

"some nice clothes to a fancy dinner" White's Nomad in black waxed flesh - the bulkiest engineer model out there in the most rugged leather
For me waxed flesh is as far from formal as you can get, but you CAN shine them up if you want.
Waxed flesh (similar to any roughout) is as tough as it gets and very rugged / workwear oriented, definitely not dressy/fancy.
Personally I'm not a fan of black waxed flesh from what I've seen, but I'd love a pair of brown waxed flesh 8" lugged loggers. Definitely not a leather I'd like on a pair of engineers though.
Also pretty amazing that you'd grab a pair of new full price boots without looking more into the leather that you are getting.
Enjoy your boots and post how they age! It's definitely one of the most unique types of leather and by far the most appealing to me in terms non-smooth leathers. So I think you scored well

 

[whitetail_country]

I agree, Horween is great.