London Leather weekend 2026 | Bootblack’s Eye View

Thursday: Opening drinks

Oh my word. This year’s London Leather weekend this year was a huge one. It was such a Treat to see so many surprise faces that I didn’t know was going to be in town. A large amount of them was bootblacks From around Europe. This includes @bootblckbadger.bsky.social, @pupdino-shkody.bsky.social ,who I found on Thursday’s opening meetup drinks at Betty and Joans.

Friday: Hunter

Friday was a very Special Hunter. For the first time it was Gender integrated, welcoming in the London Leatherdykes. This also meant I got to work alongside more bootblacks! I shared the stand with Lilly, who is amazing. Comparing kits is always so much fun.

I’m always a little sad i don’t get to work alongside other bootblacks much at big events normally. When traveling its normally the only time i get to see my leather family, so I tend to priorities that. So this kinda meant a lot to me.

Also working on the new variety of boots brought in by the Fem clients really gave me a few long-overdue firsts.

I also ran into another overseas friend Pixie, who I haven’t seen since being a co judge on last years Bootblack UK competition.

The energy that night was electric and the vibes sublime. I really hope They do more integrated nights in the future.

Saturday: The Leather Care Benefit.

I won! Each year the Leather care benefit has a ‘best dressed’ competition tied to that years theming. This year was ‘heavenly bodies’ and astronomy theme, raising money for the charity micro Rainbow.

For the competition I went as Taurus in my cow gear, and well, I won!

I can’t believe I got it.

I was also great to see The Christian Hoffman award this year go to Nigel For his years of work at BLUF.

The show wrapped up by an amazing and deep speech by IMsL 2026 Akasha Eden and an amazing set by Gianmarco Soresi (how in the hell Ox got someone as a big as him to come do the event was astounding.)

As is a tradition on this day I went home for a big greasy order-in pizza. i was also joined by an old friend in town, meaning the evening was spent catching up on life.

Sunday: XL Social

I know I’m always pretty bunt out by Sunday, so I didn’t sign up for this Years Brunch. instead i dragged myself out later to the XL social to see visiting friends one last time before they went home. It was nice, but by this point in the weekend I was kind of at my sensory limit for noisy, busy environments so I stayed outside the bar for most of the night.

Thank-yous

I want to take a moment to Thank everyone who put in work to this weekend. The clubs @londonleatherdykes.bsky.social, @proteusleather.club and @news for running the events.

The team at Hunter for taking a chance on a gender integrated event and welcoming people in.

The volunteers and performers at running the raffle and show at the benefit who made it a smooth running, wonderful experience.

and I cant forget @HisNameIsOx, who once again organized an insane amount of the weekend and made everything work and pulled off some amazing shit. (Again, how in the hell did you get Gianmarco Soresi‽)

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