Do JK Boots Have Wood in Them?
If you’ve ever used one of our work boots and noticed how stiff and solid some of the internal layers feel, or from the color of some parts, or construction of our boots, you may have wondered: is that part made of wood, is there wood inside these boots? It’s a question we get all the time, and the sort answer is no - there is no wood in our boots. What people are often seeing and feeling is something else entirely: a specific type of leather that is built to be tough, rigid, and long lasting.
Why People Think There’s Wood in Our Boots
When you look at certain internal components of our boots, you’ll notice materials that look and even feel or behave a bit like wood. They’re firm, hold their shape, even when sanded produce dust that resembles sawdust. But what you’re seeing is oak-tanned or veg-tanned leather.
This type of leather is made from regular cowhide, just like the rest of the boot, but it goes through a completely different tanning process. Instead of being treated for softness and flexibility like oil-tanned leather, it’s processed using natural tannins derived from tree bark. The result is a much denser, more rigid material that’s ideal for structural components.
What Parts of the Boot Use This Leather?
We use oak-tanned leather in the parts of the boot that need to hold their shape and stand up to years of wear. These include:
- The midsole
- The insole (the layer your foot rests on)
- The heel base
- The counter (heel support structure)
These components aren’t meant to flex like the upper leather that wraps your around foot. Instead, they act as the foundation of the foot providing stability, durability, and long-term support.
For example, our heavy-duty midsoles are made from thick, 12-iron oak-tanned leather. It’s incredibly stiff right out of the gate intentionally. It’s what allows the boot to maintain its structure over time, even after very demanding use.
Oak-Tanned vs Oil-Tanned Leather
To really understand why there’s confusion, it helps to compare the two main types of leather used in our boots:
- Oil-tanned leather: Soft, flexible, and designed to move with your foot. This is what we user for the upper part of the boot.
- Oak-tanned leather: Firm, dense, and structural. This is what we use for the internal support layers.
Both start as the same raw material that is cowhide, but the tanning process is what’s different. Oak tanned leather uses oak tree bark in the mix where the hides are soaked in, which gives the leather its stiffness and durability
What About the Shank?
Another place people sometimes assume wood is used is in the shank. The shank is the supportive piece inside the boot that helps with stability and weight distribution.
Historically, some boot makers did use wooden shanks. But in our boots, we use steel or composite shanks, depending on the model. These materials provide consistent support without the downsides that wood can bring over time.
Why This Construction Matters
Using the different types of leather for different parts of the boot is intentional. You couldn’t build a long-lasting boot using only soft leather, and you wouldn’t want a boot made entirely of rigid leather either. We use different parts and components to put together a really great product, and this is one of the reasons our footwear stands apart from anything mass produced. Because it’s a tough made boot starting from the materials.
This rigidity found in the boots is also why there’s a break-in period. Over time, the leather molds to your foot while still maintaining the structural integrity that keeps the boot performing for years.
Final Answer: No Wood, Just Purpose-Built Leather
So, do we put wood in our boots?
No, our boots are made with 100% high-quality leather providing a strong, supportive foundation that holds up through tough, real-world use. It might look like wood, but it’s all leather, carefully chosen and crafted to serve a specific purpose in building a boot that holds up to anything thrown at it.
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