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Leather has been a game-changer for humans for a long time; it’s practical, durable, and associated with luxury. From ancient armor to the modern world, leather is everywhere, as well as in clothes, shoes, furniture, accessories, and more.
But whether you’re buying or selling leather products, there’s more to it than trying to touch it to see the quality. We’ll break down the types of leather, their unique properties, and tips to help you make smarter choices when buying leather.
What Is Leather, And How Is It Made?
Leather is a durable material made from the skin of animals, predominantly cows, but also from pigs, sheep, deer, alligators, and ostriches. the process of transforming animal skin into leather is called “tanning.”
This process reduces the skin’s perishability, producing a material that can last decades. Leather is valued for its strength, flexibility, and appealing texture, which has made it versatile for centuries in various products, including clothing, accessories, and furniture.
Different Types Of Leather Based On Tanning
Leather comes in various types, each with unique characteristics suited for different uses. It’s categorized based on the type of hide, the tanning process, and the finishing applied to the material.
Here are the types of leather based on their tanning process.
1. Full-Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is the most high-quality and durable leather. it is made from the top layer of the animal’s hide and retains the imperfections, and the unique pattern of it. It also develops an attractive patina as it ages and is commonly used in high-end markets for furniture, shoes, apparel, and carvings.
- Key Qualities: Tough, retains natural scratch patterns, and develops a beautiful patina over time.
- Common Uses: Leather products like bags, belts, apparel, and high-quality furniture.
2. Top-Grain Leather
The second-best type of leather is top-grain. it’s made from the outer layer of the hide, but any surface flaws are removed. Unlike full-grain leather, it doesn’t have the natural texture of imperfections of an animal’s hide, but it’s stronger and less likely to stain. The outer surface is treated to give it a shiny look.
It’s usually cheaper than full-grain leather but still strong.
- Key Qualities: Has Smooth, Shiny Look, Lower In Price, Easy To Clean.
- Common Uses: Handbags, Wallets, Upholstery, Apparel
3. Split Leather
Split leather, also known as genuine leather, is the leftover part of the hide (inner layer) after the top layer is removed to make top-grain leather. Suede and nubuck are two popular types of split leather that are in high demand worldwide.
Suede: Made from the flesh side of an animal’s hide, suede is smooth and fuzzy. It is softer but less durable and needs regular care.
Nubuck: It’s slightly rougher than suede and is sanded or buffed on the grain side, making it more resistant to wear while still being soft.
- Key Qualities: Soft, lower in price, easy to clean.
- Common Uses: Bags, belts, apparel furniture.
4. Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is a mixture of small pieces of leather and leather fibers with synthetic materials like plastic, polyurethane, or latex. While it is much cheaper than genuine leather, it lacks the quality and durability of natural leather.
- Key Qualities: Affordable, resembles leather, but not very durable.
- Common Uses: Mobile phone cases, inexpensive ornaments, and budget-friendly furniture.
5. Exotic Leather
Exotic leather comes from animals like ostriches, alligators, and kangaroos. these leathers have unique patterns and textures (resembling those animals’ skin), which makes them popular for luxury items. however, they are usually more expensive and not as easy to find as regular leather.
- Key Qualities: It often has a soft texture, luxurious feel, and a high price.
- Common Uses: High-end shoes, wallets, and handbags.
6. Vegan Leather (Faux Leather)
Vegan leather, also known as faux leather, is a man-made material designed to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather without using animal products. It’s typically made from synthetic substances like polyurethane (pu) or polyvinyl chloride (pvc).
While they resemble leather, they are not as strong or durable as natural leather and don’t have a natural soft feeling. However, they are more affordable and are easy to clean and care for.
- Key Qualities: Non-leather, affordable, stylish, and low-maintenance.
- Common Uses: Belts, scarves, jackets, automotive interiors, and car parts.
Leather Types Based On Animal Hides Used:
Different animal hides have different characteristics when they’re turned into leather. Some are less softer than others, while some are durable, some are more common and lower in price, and others are higher in price.
Here are the popular animal hides used for making leather.
Cowhide:
Cowhide leather comes from cow skin. It’s strong and lasts a long time and is used in shoes, wallets, jackets, furniture, and car seats. While not as soft as some other leathers, cowhide leather is still comfortable and becomes more flexible over time.
It’s a popular choice because it’s easy to find and usually costs less than other leathers. Overall, cowhide leather is a good pick for many products due to its strength, comfort, and reasonable price. It’s very popular for its widespread use in leather jackets.
Lambskin:
lambskin leather comes from young sheep. It’s very soft and light, making it comfortable to wear. However, it’s not as strong as other leathers, so it can get damaged more easily. Lambskin is popular for high-end clothing like jackets and gloves. It’s usually more expensive because of its softness and quality.
Camel Hide
Camel hide leather is thick and strong, making it good for heavy-duty items like shoes and bags. It has a unique texture and a special look. However, it can have a strong smell if not treated properly. Camel leather is less common, so products made from it can be more expensive.
Horse Hide
Horsehide leather is tough and durable, even more so than cowhide. It’s resistant to wear and tear, making it a good choice for items that need to last a long time. However, it’s less common and can be more expensive.
Pig Hide
Pigskin leather is strong and holds up well over time. It’s similar to cowhide but has a unique texture with visible pores. Pigskin is often used for work gloves and shoes because of its durability. It’s usually more affordable than other leathers.
Reptiles Hide
Reptile leathers, like those from snakes or alligators, have distinct scale patterns that make them stand out. They’re often used for luxury items like handbags and shoes.
These leathers are less flexible and can be more delicate and require special care. Products made from reptile leather are usually expensive due to their exotic nature.
Leather Categories Based On Finishes
Leather is also categorized based on the finishing process applied after tanning. Common leather categories include:
- Aniline leather: Treated with water-soluble dyes, revealing the natural surface of the hide.
- semi-aniline leather: Has a thin protective layer while maintaining its natural look.
- pigmented leather: Coated for added protection, durability, and a smooth surface that may hide the grain pattern.
Which Leather Should You Choose?
The common thing you should consider is the budget. high-quality, more durable leathers like horsehide and camel hide are way more expensive. Cowhide leather, on the other hand, is popular, accessible, and reasonably priced. It is lower in price due to its availability and does not compromise when it comes to softness, feel, and longevity. But for more softness, quality, and longevity, you can go for full-grain cowhide leather.
