Deerskin. Due to the thorny nature of the animal's natural habitats, deerskin is one of the toughest leathers available. The physical structure of deerskin leather is different than other types of skins. Its elongated interwoven fibers give it an extremely high shear strength and abrasion resistance.
Among real leathers, full grain leather is by far the best in terms of quality. Unlike the other grains, full grain has not been separated from the top grain or split layers, and is therefore the strongest and most dependable type of leather.
Full-Grain Leather Is the Best Quality
Its fibers are stable and durable because the grain has not been removed. There is less moisture in the leather from prolonged contact as the grain is characteristic of breathing. This type of leather does not wear out easily.
Goatskin is the strongest and most durable type of leather. Its natural lanolin in the skin makes the glove very supple, waterproof and abrasion resistant. The material is excellent for tasks involving fine dexterity.
Pigmented leathers typically have the strongest performance characteristics of all leathers, proving resistance to scratching, fading, staining and abrasion.
Kangaroo leather has the best strength/weight ratio of any upland boot leather available. Australian kangaroo leather is lighter but stronger than cowhide of equal thickness. Kangaroo is a very light-weight and thin leather that is ounce-for-ounce the toughest leather in the world.
The most expensive exotic leather in the world is from the shell cordovan, a leather derived from the flat muscles underneath the hide on a horse's rump. As you can imagine, not many places in the world raise horses for leather.
Top-grain leather is a high-quality product. It is produced from the hide but the outermost layer is sanded off so that any imperfection or irregularities are removed. It's a durable product although not quite as tough as full-grain leather. However, it compares favorably to other types of leather.
Bonded leather is the lowest (and the cheapest) grade of leather. Common Uses: Making furniture, bookbinding, and various fashion accessories. Though there are four basic types of leather, you can find a wide range of options based on the percentage of organic material, durability, and the finishing process.
When it comes to grading real, authentic leather, you can sort everything into 3 main categories. These leather grades for furniture are full grain leather, top grain leather, and split leather.
The premium leather that Italy is renowned for is the full-grain, vegetable-tanned kind. Removed from the outermost layer of the animal's skin — the most durable part of the hide — full-grain leather has an unaltered grain structure and is subsequently extremely robust.
Genuine leather doesn't just mean that the product is made of real leather (which it is), but it also means it is the lowest quality of all products made out of real leather. Genuine leather generally doesn't last as long or look as nice as higher-quality leather.
Pigmented leather is the most durable with a consistent surface appearance, while aniline leather is more natural looking, but less resistant to soiling. The third type, semi-aniline leather, is somewhere between on both counts.
Nappa leather is top-quality leather that undergoes a unique tanning process and is softer and more pliable than most hides. It was named for the Napa Valley in California, where the tanning company that developed it was located. Nappa leather is often used in upscale vehicles.
Waxed Canvas. Waxed canvas is durable and waterproof compared to most fabrics, which makes it a useful alternative to leather in all but the most rigorous applications. Canvas is usually made from cotton, which has significant environmental impacts as well but is a better choice than leather.
An item of good leather quality will usually have quality stitching to match. Flaws in stitching, hardware, and lining can indicate inferior leather. Pay attention to how it feels and looks. If the leather feels wrong (hard, plasticky, or thin), it probably is.
Full-grain leather will always be stronger and more durable than top grain leather. This is because by sanding down the top layer, you also sand off the strong fibers in the hide. It is the best solution for a quality leather product.
Also known as full-grain leather, premium leather refers to the outermost layer. Its epidermis undergoes treatment to get rid of imperfections and ensure the uniformity of its texture. When it comes to tactile qualities, it feels supple and gains a natural skin tone after some time.
Top grain leather is richly textured, with a swank appearance that only improves with age. Those looking for luxury can do no better than Leather 7000, an exclusive brand of top-grain that is handpicked from the top third of all hides.
HUGO BOSS categorically avoids farmed furs and exotic leather types. Instead, we exclusively use leather that is produced as a by-product of the food industry, such as bovine hides, goatskins, sheepskins, and buffalo hides.
Most leather produced and sold in the U.S. is made from the skins of cattle and calves, but leather is also made from sheep, lambs, goats, and pigs. Other species are hunted and killed specifically for their skins, including zebras, bison, kangaroos, elephants, crocodiles, alligators, ostriches, lizards, and snakes.
Many vintage Gucci products were constructed with pigskin, calf and exotic leathers imported from different parts of the world. Today's Gucci leather is the ultra-luxurious Guccissima leather, meaning “the most Gucci” in Italian. It was introduced in 2006 by then Creative Director Frida Giannini.
The whale shark isn't only the largest fish in the oceans. It also has the thickest skin of any living creature – in the oceans or on land. Typically around 10 cm (4 in) in thickness, the skin offers vital protection and insulation for the animal.
"Protected" leather has a coating to resist stains, minor scratches and other damage. You can wipe it clean with a soft cloth. "Full grain" and "top grain" are the strongest leathers.