Experience a world of craftsmanship and creativity, and a way of life for luxury. If you're looking for top-notch leather items, you need to know what types of leather are out there to make an informed investment. So you may be wondering, what are the different types of leather and which one should I use for my needs?
This leather guide from ZOQ Leather will help you know different leather types that are just right for you. They can be rugged & durable or elegant and stylish, so understanding the different kinds of leather can help you make the best choice for what you want making sure you can look the best. Lets get into leather types now and know the characteristics of so many different types of leather.
1. Full Grain Leather
The highest quality leather is full grain leather. It is the outermost part of the hide, and is considered to be the best of all kinds of leather. Grain must be treated with utmost care and should be fully intact for it to be considered full grain leather. Sanding or buffing can only be applied, unless to correct natural imperfection.
Due to the lack of modification, there will inevitably be some imperfections on the hide (like human skin!) that will be found on leather goods, as it is a natural product. While this may not be to everyone's taste, this means a full grain leather item will always be completely unique and no two are exactly the same. We think this adds some sort of an unreplaceable touch to each piece.
When the hide is used up completely it becomes really tedious to work with and needs someone professional to work on it. Maintaining the full-grain is very beneficial to its strength, breathability, and durability. Overall, full grain leather doesn't deteriorate with use, but instead takes on a beautiful natural leather patina with time.
2. Top Grain Leather
Top grain leather (sometimes called corrected grain leather) is considered the second-best quality of leather available. Overall, it will be the type that will be used the most in high, designer bags and premium jackets. Once full-grain leather is altered in any manner, it is then considered to be top grain leather.
This can allow for imperfections to be removed from this type of leather and burring and buffing processes can be used on its surface. This can make the top grain leather-goods very smooth and even looking. For some, the finished look is more important than the originality you enjoy from top grain leather, so they will sacrifice the raw uniqueness of top grain for a flawless finish.
This kind of leather is frequently thinner, due to corrections, and therefore easier to work with. Top grain leather is typically coated with finish leather to repel stains and blemishes, and is a great leather for everyday use.
3. Nubuck Leather
This leather type is a bit more resistant than suede and is created from the upper most layer of animal’s hide. Sanded or buffed on the grain side to give a soft velvety surface. Luxury shoes, good quality bags as well as good furniture are some products where you would hear the name of nubuck leather.
It looks and feels very luxurious, but needs to be maintained regularly to ensure its best appearance. Because this leather is very soft and velvety, it can stain and be damaged by water. Buck leather products must be waterproofed with high quality waterproof sprays and regular brushing.
4. Patent Leather
Patent leather is a leather that is specially treated to have a shiny, reflective surface. It is particularly well known for its unique eye-catching appeal and is prevalent in formal footwear, handbags and bold accessories. Patent leather is extremely durable and water and stain resistant and is worn for formal and special occasions.
Patent leather has a glossy surface finish that is created by applying several coats of lacquer or varnish to the leather. This results in a smooth and reflective finish which adds to its luxurious sheen. It is waterproof, but should be handled with care to avoid scratches and scuffs.
5. Genuine Leather
The term “genuine leather” is now very popular in the commercial leather industry, which is a broad term. When a product states that it is 'True leather', it only indicates that it has a certain amount of real leather. It may contain 100% leather or be a small percentage.
Genuine leather comes from the much inner layer of the animal’s hide which is left once the upper most layers are separated to create full and top grain leathers. This layer is not as tough or strong as the layer on top due to natural reasons. As it has no natural skin finish, it needs to be finished with soluble dyes or a lot of pigment to resemble top hide leather.
It is more economical and has a decent durability but it does not have the breathability and durability of full-grain leather or top-grain leather.
6. Split Grain Leather
The fibrous inner layer of the hide after the separation of the upper grain layer is called grain leather. Split leather does not have the same quality as full grain or top grain leather, however, split leather is still highly desirable. It's less expensive and it can be utilized to create a wide range of common leather items.
The split grain leather is a material that resists wear and tear. Its texture is coarser than at the highest grades of leathers and makes it more appropriate for casual or rugged use such as work boots and tool belts where purity of finish is of less importance than pure strength.
7. Suede Leather
Split from corium and formed from the underside of the animal hide, creating a beautifully soft and fuzzy surface. It is not as durable as other leathers, and stains and water damage easily can be caused, however it is very popular for its beauty.
Suede is often utilized for lightweight clothes, accessories and upholstery. It is also different and presents a product with a prestigious and unprecedented luxury. Suede is an extremely delicate leather that needs to be handled with care, such as providing it with moisture protection, and brushing back in the nap and removing surface dirt using a special suede brush.
8. Bonded Leather
Bonded leather, sometimes called reconstituted or blended leather, is typically the poorest quality leather that is available. The scraps of leather are ground down to pulp and chemically bound to each other with polyurethane and fillers.
It is very short-lived and prone to cracking, peeling and falling apart, as it takes many artificial chemicals, spray paints and embossing coats to produce the look of real leather. For those who want a leather item that will last them for many years, bonded leather is typically not the best choice, but it's definitely the cheapest out there.
9. Exotic Leather Types
Exotic leather is made from an assortment of unique, rare materials that are not found in the traditional leather supply chain, including alligator, crocodile, snakes and fish. Such exotic leathers have extremely different scales and textures that can't be achieved with standard cowhide. In the world of luxury fashion, exotic leathers are in high demand, due to their rarity and the extensive tanning methods they involve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are five types of leather?
There are five main leather types: Full grain, Top grain, Genuine, Split grain, and bonded leather. Full-grain is the highest quality, bonded is the budget option that is comprised of re-used scraps.
What are the different names of leather?
Leather is identified by its grade (e.g., full-grain or top-grain) or by its particular finish. Common finishes include nubuck, suede, patent leather and pull-up leather infused with waxes.
What is the longest lasting leather?
Full-grain leather will last for the longest time because it uses the uncorrected dense top layer of leather. It does not crack as it gets older, and naturally softens and acquires a beautiful rich patina over several decades of use.
Is genuine leather considered good quality?
It is a real hide, but the term "genuine leather" indicates that it is a lesser quality hide from the lower layers of the skin. It's not quite as durable as top-grain products and depends on man-made coatings applied to the surface.