Second-stride Leather

The squire wants boots that stand up to her weaponless fighting style. What a strange request, she wants boots that feel like a second layer of her body.

"Why this kind of leather, sis?" Lizzie said, looking at Purpure. "Maybe you should fight in bare feet first."

"Because if I fight in bare feet I might get cuts, and you saw how work boots ended up weighing me down."

"But they're really expensive."

"Doesn't matter, I'll scrape enough money for at least two pairs of them."

Properties

Material Characteristics

Unusually soft hide that resembles freshly peeled pelt.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Soft yet tough, this is specially treated kidskin.

Origin & Source

Young goats, though young calves and grown sheep can be skinned for this.

History & Usage

History

Leathermaking has been around for a very long time.

Initially, second-stride leather was used only for fine clothing and shoes. Nobody wanted to risk the potential loss of profit in using them for combat gear.

Discovery

Second-stride leather was first developed based on tanning techniques for kidskin brought to the Pits.

Everyday use

Used to make dress shoes until Purpure requested boots that would stand up to the stress of repeated kicking and fit closely to her legs.

Refinement

The slaughtered animal must be skinned shortly after death. Then the skin is washed in seawater before being hung up to dry.

After drying, the skins are cleaned of fats and hair, before being washed again in lime water and finally left to soak in tanning fluid.

Tanning fluid was usually made of bark boiled in water at this point in time.

The finished leather is then treated with a layer of lanolin to keep it soft and turn it into second-stride grade.

Manufacturing & Products

Shoes, bags, and protective vests are among the items that can be made from second-stride leather.

While not very popular, trousers can be made out of this leather as well.

Hazards

The tanning fluid is not safe for drinking.

Environmental Impact

The tanning process in general is considered extremely smelly, so it is usually done outdoors and away from suburbs.

Reusability & Recycling

Leftover cuttings from leather rolls can be saved as patches for quick repairs.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Textile merchants sell it, and it is usually bought by tailors who specialize in high-end and fine goods.

Type

Textile

Rarity

Slightly uncommon

Taste

Rubbery

Color

Usually orange-brown