If you are purchasing a premium outerwear, luxury bags or heritage accessories, the words used to identify the materials can be confusing. Full-grain and top-grain hides are the two best quality types available in the marketplace. The question of top grain vs full grain is a direct indicator of your jacket's longevity, how it will feel upon first use, and how it will age over the years when used heavily.
These are the highest grades of leather and much better than low quality leather or synthetics, which are heavily processed and cheap. However, they are entirely different in terms of their aesthetic and functional use. Whether you are looking for top grain leather vs full grain leather will depend on the type of style you are going for and your lifestyle.
What Does Full-Grain Leather Really Mean?
Full-grain leather is regarded as the world's top quality leather. Made from the entire, unaffected outer skin layer of the animal. The more densely-packed fibers in this layer provide superior strength, tear resistance and natural breathability because it was exposed to the elements.
Full Grain Leather is best known for its raw authenticity. Tanneries do not sand, buff or make an artificial correction to the surface. This means that you'll always be able to see natural insect bites, subtle stretch marks, and unique pores, which means no two jackets will be the same. Unlike other types of leather that wear out with use, full grain leather will take on oils and friction from wear and tear to create a rich, lustrous patina that will make the garment look better on its 10th birthday than on its first.
The Flawless Finish: What is Top Grain Leather?
If you're not sure what top grain leather is, it is the second highest quality that's available and is used in top-notch fashion by designers. It is the same high-quality outer hide of leather that is used for full-grain leather, but it is processed into an extra refinement.
Only the outermost millimeter of hide is sanded or buffed off to take away any natural marks, insect bites and imperfections. After sanding, a special finish is applied to the top. This creates a very smooth and uniform look that would be great for those who want a sleek and modern look. Top-grain leather is very stain resistant and waterproof thanks to the protective topcoat, making it ideal for daily use.
Full Grain Leather vs Top Grain Leather
When you're deciding between full grain vs top grain leather, it's about the look you're after and how you want the garment to look and feel over the years.
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Aging and Patina: The Full Grain leather is porous and unprotected leather which will naturally darken, soften and create a distinct patina. This does not happen in top-grain leather, which will protect the jacket and keep it the exact same original colour and Jacket finish for many years.
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Flexibility: The top layer of fibers is sanded off, making top-grain leather a bit thinner and soft as soon as you take it out of the box. Full-grain leather has a notoriously "ridged" feel to it and needs to be leathered!
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Breathability: Full-grain keeps the pores of the hide natural so it is extremely breathable. A synthetic finish that is applied to top-grain leather decreases breathability but increases its initial stain resistance.
The Difference Between Top Grain Leather and Genuine Leather
One of the pitfalls Internet shoppers can fall into is believing that these higher grades are synonymous with marketing terms that are lower. When comparing the difference in quality between top grain leather vs genuine leather, it is enormous.
The top-grain is used to make top grain, a stronger, more durable leather, while the corium, a weaker, more fuzzy leather layer underneath, is used for "genuine leather. True leather is structurally unformed, and needs to be heavily painted and stamped to resemble true top-grain leather. A jacket made from top-grain leather is going to last for many years, while a leather alternative is going to crack and break down quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Full-Grain Leather?
Full Grain leather is the best leather of all and consists of the entire outer part of the skin without any corrections. It's very durable, breathable, and it will take on a special and beautiful patina over the years.
What is Top-Grain Leather?
The second-highest quality leather is called top grain and the outer surface of the leather is lightly sanded to eliminate some natural blemishes in the leather. It provides a perfect, smooth surface and is often treated to be water and stain-resistant.
