For Shell Cordovan Boot Fans on a Budget: Is Meermin the Answer?

For fans of Shell Cordovan footwear who find brands like Alden, Tricker’s, or Crockett & Jones a bit out of budget, there’s a name that often comes up: Meermin.

Their cordovan boots are priced at more than half the cost of the established brands. You can easily verify this on their official estore.

However, there are some nuances worth noting. The company doesn’t explicitly name the tannery supplying their Shell, using the elegant but vague term “Heritage Shell Cordovan” instead.

Through discussions on Reddit, the enthusiast community has largely concluded that Meermin uses Argentinian Shell Cordovan, most likely from the Lis Royal (Rosinante) tannery. This makes perfect sense from a cost perspective, as Argentinian Shell is significantly less expensive than its Italian or Japanese counterparts.

The trade-off, as noted by some owners, can sometimes be in the finishing and surface consistency of the leather. It’s a point of discussion among purists. I can share links and proof from the Reddit threads. Just let me know in the comments!