EXPLORE WITH ROGUE OUTDOOR GEAR
Outdoor Gear Since 1974
Rogue Outdoor Gear : Designers and manufacturers of hats, footwear, luggage and accessories. Made from fine leather and canvas – inspired by the African bush.
Where it all began..
A self-taught tanner of game hides and chamois leathers, company founder CEJ Selke, was employed as both game ranger and tanner at Mala Mala Game Reserve in South Africa in 1960’s. Moving from there in the early 1970’s to form his own company, Selke Leathercraft, Justin and Colleen Selke soon changed the company direction from tanning hides to producing leather products. In the early days their focus was on handbags, wallets, belts and sandals.
In 1986 their son, Trevor, joined the company and within a few years shifted the focus away from curio leather goods to outdoor gear, with the emphasis on leather and canvas, broad-brimmed hats, functional footwear and travel luggage.
Now, nearly 50 years on, two generations of the Selke family have established the company as a leader in African outdoor apparel, with sales locally and internationally.
Made in South Africa
Rogue is still very much a family business, with both Trevor and Mary actively involved in the design, manufacturing and management of the Rogue range.
Situated in the town of Hazyview, Mpumalanga, the company is still close to its roots near the Kruger National Park and draws strongly from its proud South African heritage.
Selke Leathercraft currently employs around 50 Shangaan / Tsonga staff, most of whom are from the surrounding towns and villages. Almost all have come to us untrained, learnt their skills from scratch and have been with us for most of their working lives.
SHOP ONLINE ROGUE TODAY:
HEADWEAR : CLICK HERE TO SHOP
FOOTWEAR : CLICK HERE TO SHOP
TRAVELGEAR : CLICK HERE TO SHOP
BELTS : CLICK HERE TO SHOP
MATERIALS
Most of our products are made from either Leather or Canvas or a combination of both.
Leather is our first love. The texture, feel, smell and nature of the product has inspired us to create a broad range of products to meet a multitude of needs over the years.
If it’s for the Outdoors – chances are it can be made tougher in leather. We use predominantly commercial bovine hides in both Grain and Split (Suede) finishes and sometimes African Game hides in Genuine Buffalo, Wildebeest, Kudu or Croc. These leathers have incredible properties – flexibile, durable, comfortable – they can be split, buffed, dyed, hardened or softened to achieve the desired effect.
100% Cotton canvas is another of our big favourites and has allowed us to create a whole new line-up of products for the Outdoors. Our most recent development is Waxed Canvas or Tin Cloth. This is a recreation of a natural material used in a by-gone era when synthetics were not available for extreme applications. Waxed Cotton/Tin Cloth was used by Loggers, Trappers, miners and Outdoorsmen in harsh climates as a weather-proof, hard wearing fabric to overcome the elements. Cotton canvas sails were often used, dipped in a blend of oils and waxes to make a tough, durable material for trousers and jackets. We are the only company producing Headwear and Luggage made from this in South Africa.
FULLGRAIN LEATHER
The most genuine of leathers, as it retains all the natural markings and texture of the original hide, with minimum treatment. Rogue 2mm fullgrains are dyed to colour and treated with a blend of oils and waxes to give a supple yet durable end product, becoming softer and more attractive with wear and age.
SUEDE
Our 2mm Rogue suede is a softer, split leather with a more ‘rugger’ bush look and its own distinct appearance and feel. Available in a plain or waxy option and in a variety of natural colours.
CANVAS
Lighter in weight and more affordable than leather, Rogue canvas hats are made from 100% cotton in a 510g weight, available in four colour options.
TIN CLOTH
Back in the 1800’s Outdoorsmen and Adventurers around the World relied on the strength and durability of waxed canvas to protect them from the elements. In logger’s slang, ‘Tin Cloth’ referred to the stiffness, water resistance and strength of the cloth they made and so it was born – Tin Cloth – made from 100% cotton canvas in a 510 weight and impregnated with a blend of natural oils and waxes. Tin Cloth is a unique fabric that improves with wear and age.
GAME LEATHERS
An exclusive range of outdoor gear available in genuine Buffalo and Wildebeest leather. All the game leather used in the manufacturing of Rogue products is sourced from commercial farms or other legal entities within Southern Africa. Rogue supports ethical wildlife management.