You're shopping for a new leather bag, and you keep seeing labels like "high-quality," "genuine," and "true" leather. All of these seem reasonable. Wrong. There are several types of leather, each with different looks, uses, and compositions. And just because its "genuine" leather does not mean it's the highest quality leather available. This comprehensive guide will clear your confusion; we'll explore each type of leather in detail, explaining the subtle distinctions in origin, characteristics, and applications. Ready to shop for authentic leather goods? Let's dive in.
July 18, 2022
What is Full Grain Leather?
What are the main types of leather?
Ranging from highest quality to lowest, the five primary grades of leather are full grain, top grain, genuine, bonded, and faux. Used in everything from purses and shoes to furniture and footballs, each type has unique origins, characteristics, and benefits compared to other materials. But if you're looking for a high-quality leather handbag, full grain is the only type you should be interested in; let's look at each of these further in depth.
Full Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is of the highest quality and is prized for its durability and natural appearance. It comes from the grain, the outermost layer of the hide. Compared to other types of leather, it is the least processed; it's not sanded or buffed to remove "imperfections." This means that every piece of full-grain leather is unique with its textures and markings.
All leathers age as they're exposed to the elements, but full grain ages the best, developing a beautiful patina that adds uniqueness. Because it's the outermost layer of the hide, which protects the cow from sun, rain, and wind, it's also the strongest and most durable type of leather, which is why it's a top choice for so many leather goods and designers.
At Latico Leathers, every accessory, from our crossbody bags to handmade wallets, is designed with full-grain leather. Each piece embodies a bohemian aesthetic, breezy attitude, and independent spirit that not only lasts but gets better with age. Our full-grain leather is sustainably sourced from the byproducts of the meat & dairy industry and only from pasture-raised cows in stable climates. The lack of environmental stress preserves the tight-knit fibers in the grain, adding to its softness & durability. Each Latico bag is handmade with love by artisans in South America and India, and every bump, wrinkle, and scratch on the leather makes your bag more unique than the rest.
What are the main types of leather?
Ranging from highest quality to lowest, the five primary grades of leather are full grain, top grain, genuine, bonded, and faux. Used in everything from purses and shoes to furniture and footballs, each type has unique origins, characteristics, and benefits compared to other materials. But if you're looking for a high-quality leather handbag, full grain is the only type you should be interested in; let's look at each of these further in depth.
Full Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is of the highest quality and is prized for its durability and natural appearance. It comes from the grain, the outermost layer of the hide. Compared to other types of leather, it is the least processed; it's not sanded or buffed to remove "imperfections." This means that every piece of full-grain leather is unique with its textures and markings.
All leathers age as they're exposed to the elements, but full grain ages the best, developing a beautiful patina that adds uniqueness. Because it's the outermost layer of the hide, which protects the cow from sun, rain, and wind, it's also the strongest and most durable type of leather, which is why it's a top choice for so many leather goods and designers.
At Latico Leathers, every accessory, from our crossbody bags to handmade wallets, is designed with full-grain leather. Each piece embodies a bohemian aesthetic, breezy attitude, and independent spirit that not only lasts but gets better with age. Our full-grain leather is sustainably sourced from the byproducts of the meat & dairy industry and only from pasture-raised cows in stable climates. The lack of environmental stress preserves the tight-knit fibers in the grain, adding to its softness & durability. Each Latico bag is handmade with love by artisans in South America and India, and every bump, wrinkle, and scratch on the leather makes your bag more unique than the rest.
Top Grain Leather
Top-grain leather is the second highest quality and is made from the upper layer of the hide. In terms of durability and strength, it's similar to full-grain leather. However, it must undergo a light sanding process to remove imperfections. The result is a more uniform, less marked look, significantly reducing the leather's ability to develop a patina with age.
With enough sanding, the top grain can become soft & smooth to the touch, aside from a bit of stiffness. The finished material is famous for jackets, belts, and upholstery.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather is inherently a misleading industry term; many believe "genuine" translates to authentic, high-quality leather. However, genuine leather, also known as split grain, is made using leather splitting from the second and third layers of the hide. As a result, the production process is even more intensive than top-grain leather, as these layers have the loosest, weakest fibers.
To achieve an authentic leather appearance, genuine leather is layered with synthetic materials and wax topcoats, then stamped with artificial texture to mimic the look of full and top-grain leather. Even after an intensive production process, most genuine leathers look like plastic. In some cases, several layers of split hide are glued together with their edges smoothed to save on costs.
What is suede?
Suede is genuine or split-grain leather with a fuzzy, napped finish. It's commonly used in shoes, jackets, and furniture. Because the protective top grain has been removed, suede is smooth, flexible, and delicate. It's considered authentic leather, though it's significantly less durable than full-grain leather.
Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is made by bonding leftover leather scraps with plastic or latex. Also known as reconstituted leather, it's less durable than full-top grain leather. Still, due to the construction process, it has a more refined, consistent texture. Bonded leather often looks and feels like high-quality leather. Still, it needs to age and will likely wear down far sooner. It's mostly commonly used in small fashion accessories and bookbinding.
Faux Leather
Faux leather is not genuine but rather a material designed to mimic its look and feel without using animal hide. Genuine faux leather is vegan and referred to as synthetic or imitation leather. It's usually made from polyurethane or vinyl, inexpensive and easy-to-clean materials, a plus for anyone shopping or designing on a budget.
Although not genuine, faux and vegan leathers have unique advantages: They're available in various colors and are easy to source and work with. But again, they're not genuine leather, so they do not age or last like full-grain leather.
Now that we've journeyed through the world of leather types, you're equipped with the knowledge to choose the right leather bag for you. Full grain reigns supreme if you want high-quality, unique, durable leather. And just like you, it evolves gracefully with age as long as you care for it, developing a beautiful patina that separates it from the rest.