The 5 Types of Leather (2024)

FAQs

The 5 Types of Leather? ›

Full Grain Leather

Full grain is the longest lasting, highest quality grade of leather available. It holds the pattern of the animal's skin and has a soft, natural look and warm feel. Because it comes from the top layer of the cow's hide, full grain leather is stronger and more breathable than others.

Full Grain Leather

Full grain is the longest lasting, highest quality grade of leather available. It holds the pattern of the animal's skin and has a soft, natural look and warm feel. Because it comes from the top layer of the cow's hide, full grain leather is stronger and more breathable than others.

It should be noted, the grain patterns in this post are focused on cows' leather, but their qualities are similar between leathers from most animals. The four main types of leather grain are full-grain, top-grain, corrected grain and 'genuine leather. '

Kangaroo leather (K-Leather) - high strength, lightweight and durable. Kangaroo leather is weight for weight the strongest leather available. Its structure consists of highly organised main fibre bundles, which have a secondary supporting mesh.

If it's real leather, it will proudly say so. If you see “100% leather,” “full-grain leather,” “top grain leather,” or “genuine leather,” you're headed in the right direction. (Learn more about the different types of leather).

Generally speaking, leather is divided into five different types (or grades): Top-grain leather, full-grain leather, split-grain leather, genuine leather and bonded leather.

Alligator and crocodile leather is the most expensive and most sought-after leather in the world. Despite the large, tough scales, advanced technological processes makes it possible to obtain leathers that are surprisingly soft.

Bonded leather is a man-made material made by taking the scraps of leather and leftover leather fibers and bonding them together with various polymers and fillers to create something that appears like leather. This is very low quality leather and not durable at all.

Cat 10 is top-grain leather and Cat 27 is full-grain leather. Both are more atas than genuine leather. Top-grain leather with artificial grain stamped on. Top-grain leather is the mid range quality leather that most branded handbags use.

What is real leather called? ›

Real leather can also be known as full grain leather, which is going to be the highest grade of leather you can find. Full grain leather is the top layer of the animal hide that has natural imperfections. Because of its thickness, real leather can be hard for manufacturers to work with but will be the most durable.

Noted for its strength and durability, full grain leather is the highest quality and most desired leather; it is split from the thickest and most outer part of the hide, which gives it its resilience.

Full grain leather is the highest quality grade of leather that money can buy. It comes from the top layer of the hide and includes all of the natural grain. It is more expensive for manufacturers to buy and more difficult for them to work with. This is reflected in the cost to the consumer.

Combine the luxurious look and feel of leather with the unprecedented strength of Dyneema®, the strongest fibre in the world, and push it to the max. The result is Dyneema® Bonded Leather, the new material created by ECCO Leather and The Dyneema® Project: the thinnest yet strongest leather in the market.

Sheep leather is the lightest of all commercial leathers and it is soft and velvety to the touch.

This is what's known as leather grades. Listed from best quality to worst, the five types, or grades of leather are full grain leather, top grain leather, genuine leather (also known as premium leather), split-grain leather and bonded leather.

Real leather (leather) is a by-product of the meat industry. It is a natural, renewable material up-cycled from the hides and skins that would otherwise go to waste in landfill. Synthetic 'leather' is usually made with synthetic components like PU, nylon, PVC, etc. to have the same appearance as real leather.

Any leather product which looks machine-made should be avoided. Also, avoid any products which have a lot of blemishes. Avoid bonded leather, which is made from various leather straps. Overall, a good leather product will have a fine texture.

How to tell if real leather? ›

Genuine leather is typically soft, slightly stretchy, and has a grainy feel. Hold a piece in your hand, it will warm with your body heat, and real leather is always flexible. Faux leather feels cold, plastic-like, and it will not stretch. So, feel the fabric to identify a fake.

Poromerics are made from a plastic coating (usually a polyurethane) on a fibrous base layer (typically a polyester). The term poromeric was coined by DuPont as a derivative of the terms porous and polymeric.

Full grain leather is the highest quality grade of leather that money can buy. It comes from the top layer of the hide and includes all of the natural grain. It is more expensive for manufacturers to buy and more difficult for them to work with.

Cat 10 is top-grain leather and Cat 27 is full-grain leather. Both are more atas than genuine leather. Top-grain leather with artificial grain stamped on. Top-grain leather is the mid range quality leather that most branded handbags use.

The highest quality grade of leather is Full Grain followed by Top Grain. Lower quality grades of leather include Genuine leather (also called Corrected Grain leather) and Bonded leather.

Grade 7000 leather is a type of high-quality seating material that is renowned for its superior durability, elegant appearance, and luxurious feel. Made from top-grade hides, this premium leather is considered one of the finest options available in the market.