Leather 101

Many different terms are used within the leather garment industry to describe the leather itself. Most people have no idea what these terms mean so we thought it would be worthy to explain the most common ones:

Women's Leather Motorcycle Jacket

1. "Top-Grain Leather" - When a leather garment manufacturer has a piece of leather sometimes they split the thickness of the leather into two thinner sheets. The top layer which is more visually appealing is used for "top-grain" leather which is typically thinner and more pliable. The surface gets sanded and a finish coat added to the surface which results in a colder, plastic feel and less breathable. It's sometimes referred to as "fashion leather".

2. "Full-Grain Leather" -  Full-grain refers to leather which has not been split or sanded but the manufacturer uses the full thickness of the material. This heavier leather type retains the original grain keeping the fiber strength and durability. Rather than wearing out, it will develop a patina (worn appearance) over time.

3. "Nappa Leather" -  Sometimes Nappa leather gets confused with top-grain leather because of its thinner lightweight appearance. Don't let that fool you though! Nappa leather is a full-grain leather made from unsplit sheepskin. This type is noted for its softness and durability and is often used in high-quality leather products such as high-end furniture and vehicles.

We hope that this helps you wade through the sea of uncertainty during your next leather shopping trip.

Got a leather question? Let us know and we might address it in one of our next posts. Thanks for stopping by!


Please come browse the Double D Cycles website and see our line of leather goods.