What are the most expensive leather types?
There are many types of leather available, and some of them, such as exotic leathers, are very expensive. Before discussing these costly types of leather, I want to inform you about various terms used in the leather industry. These terms may have different meanings in everyday language but are specific in the context of leather.
For instance, when we say “leather,” it typically refers to the skins of animals like cows, sheep, goats, etc. This simply means normal leather that we often see around us. However, we use terms like “exotic leather” for some unusual types of skins, such as crocodile leather, stingray leather, and many more, which are more expensive and considered luxurious. The word “exotic” in the English language means something different.
In this article, we are going to discuss the expensive leather types that come from common sources such as cowhide, goat leather, sheep leather, etc. While there are other, more expensive types of leather, these fall under the exotic leather category, which we won’t cover in this article. But before discussing the most expensive types of leather, we should take a look at the different types and why we should choose leather. So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Why you should choose real leather?
Well there is no single reason to choose real leather over faux leather material as leather posses some very unique qualities which no other material can match. Some of the reason we are:
1.| Durability
Leather is a durable material, and leather goods don’t need to be replaced frequently. Animal leather can easily last a decade, and if taken care of, it can last multiple decades.
2.| Comfort and breathability
Leather, as a natural material, is porous and breathable, unlike many faux leathers like polyurethane leather. The breathability of leather makes it a perfect material for clothing and shoes. Real leather also tends to take the shape of the body it is worn on and is easy to break in, which enhances comfort even more.
3.| Timelessness
Leather is a timeless material and a true classic. It doesn’t end up looking worn; instead, it tends to develop a beautiful surface patina and becomes more flexible with use. This quality can only be seen on the natural surface of leather.
4.| Versatile
Leather is a versatile material and can be used almost anywhere, whether it’s a formal office party or a night out with friends. Leather clothing and accessories can be used on any occasion. They not only provide a good appearance but also offer excellent utility.
5.| Eco-friendly
Grades of leather
Price and quality of leather majorly depends on the grade of leather. There are basically four grades of leather. Here is the overview of different grades of leathers
1.| Full grain
Full grain leather is the outer portion of the animal skin that contains the entire grain layer, which is uneven and easily visible. Due to the tightly packed fibers on the outer skin, full grain leather is the strongest type of leather and often commands a high price due to its durability and tough nature. Full grain cowhide and goat leather are some examples.
2.| Top grain
Full grain leather has uneven natural grains, but it does not undergo surface treatments such as sanding and buffing to achieve a smooth surface. Top grain leather, on the other hand, does undergo such treatments to create an even surface that is smooth to the touch. Top grain leather is also very durable, but when compared to full grain leather, it comes in second place.
3.| Split leather
When the full grain and top grain layers of leather are separated from the thick animal hide, the remaining part, which is the underside of the hide, is called split leather or simply “split” in leather terminology. It is also quite durable compared to many other materials, but it is inferior to top grain leather. Split leather is more breathable than other leather types due to its loosely packed fibers. Suede leather is an example of split leather.
4.| Bonded leather
Bonded leather is the cheapest type of leather, both in terms of quality and price. It is a kind of artificial leather that contains only a small portion of real animal hide. The leftover parts of animal skins that are otherwise useless in the leather industry are shredded and mixed with a bonding resin. This mixture is then laid out in sheets to form bonded leather.
Different types of leather
As mentioned earlier, this article focuses on commonly used animal skins, and we’ll keep it that way. However, there are other animals whose hides can be used, but we have only discussed some very mainstream skins.
Cowhide leather
Most commonly used leather is cowhide leather. It is so widely used to make leather that the name itself sometimes can be used interchangeably with leather. It is known for its strength and water resistance.
Goat leather
Goat leather is even better than cowhide in terms of durability and water resistance. It is also more softer than cowhide.
Buffalo leather
Buffalo skin is indeed softer than cowhide, and it is known for its durability and ability to withstand harsh climate conditions. It is often preferred for its comfort, especially in colder environments.
Sheep leather
Sheepskin leather is not very durable and is often used as an inner lining for many leather goods. It is also cheaper, so it can sometimes be used to make leather clothing, but it is far less durable than other types of leather, so its use is limited to lining material. Sheepskin leather is known for its softness.
Types of surface finish
One more factor which can determine the price and quality of leather is the surface finish. There are basically 3 types of surface finishes for real leather. Here’s the overview
1.| Aniline leathers
Leather that is coated with water based aniline dyes, retains its original surface leather texture. Full grain hides are commonly dyed with aniline dyes. But the leather surface is always prone to outside scratches and water damages. This type of surface coating is highly breathable and leather retains almost all o its surface properties
2.| Semi aniline
Semi-aniline leather finish involves coating leather with semi-aniline dye, which is slightly pigmented. The grains of natural leather are less visible when leather is coated with this dye. The stiffness of the leather is moderate, lying somewhere between aniline and semi-aniline leather.
3.| Pigmented leather
Pigmented leather, as the name suggests, is finished with pigmented dyes that cover all the natural grain surface and irregularities of the natural hide. This pigmented layer is highly protective, but the leather tends to be more rigid.
What are the most expensive leather types?
I would like to answer this question directly! if compare all types of mainstream leathers then Full grain aniline type of leather is the most expensive type as it is the most durable as well as it retains the natural surface properties of real leather hide.
Conclusion
So concluding everything but a common question remains: Why leather is expensive? Are real leathers worth the price? In my opinion, the answer is definitely yes. Considering all its qualities and the craftsmanship that goes into making it, animal leather is worth the extra investment.
For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
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