What Is Real Leather? A Complete Guide

What Is Real Leather Made Of?

Knowing Leather Types

There are two most known types of leather, each has their own unique characteristics and used to make different types of leather jackets.

Top Grain Leather

Top Grain Leather is the second highest grade of leather that takes place after the sanding, buffing or shaving off of the outermost layer of animal hide to split the leather. The purpose of doing this is to remove surface imperfections and begin with an entirely new top surface for multiple finishes to be used.

Full-grain leather

Full-grain leather is the top layer of the animal’s skin and shows off its beautiful imperfections. No sanding, snuffing, or buffing was performed to take out any imperfections or natural marks from its surface. With no grain removal, its fibers are durable and stable. As time goes on, Full Grain Leather gets a nice shine, like a fancy wine getting older. People want this kind of leather because they admire how it gets well with the arrival of patina over time.

Genuine Leather vs. Real Leather: What’s the Difference?

Genuine leather is a lower grade of leather consuming small portion of authentic leather, while real leather is a 100% authentic leather made from animal hide mostly of top-grain leather and full-grain leather.

Genuine leather is made from lower-quality layers of hide, which explains its affordability. On the other hand, real leather includes all grades, from low to high quality, offering a wide variety of prices and features.

How to Identify Real Leather?

Knowing how to identify real leather, you are making sure that you always get your hands on the real leather and pay the price for the real leather instead of genuine leather. With these following steps, you can easily know what is real leather and what is genuine leather whenever you are out for shopping.

Smell

The rich, natural scent of real leather is unmatched by synthetic alternatives like genuine leather. Its earthy, unique aroma stands in stark contrast to artificial leather, which is often odorless or carries a faint plastic-like smell.

Surface Structure

Full-grain leather and top-grain leather naturally display blemishes such as wrinkles, scars, insect bites, or stretch marks, which signify authenticity and high quality. In contrast, genuine leather feature a uniform, machine-embossed grain pattern due to their synthetic production process.

Touch

Real leather, particularly full-grain leather and top-grain leather, feels soft, supple, and natural, while genuine leather tends to feel colder, glossier, and more rigid to the touch.

Cutting Edges

Collagen in an animal’s skin makes the edges appear fibrous. In contrast, artificial leather features straight, uniform edges. However, identifying this difference can be difficult.

Oil & Water Test

Synthetic leather will repel the liquid whereas real leather will absorb it. Real leather, known for its open pores that readily absorbs fats, oils, and water. To evaluate its authenticity, apply a drop of oil or water to a discreet area and observe the reaction.

Patina

Over time, real leather undergoes a natural aging process known as patina, which is especially striking in full-grain leather. This transformation results in a rich, well-worn appearance and a deep enhancement of color. In contrast, artificial leather typically retains its original shade or exhibits minor fading but lacks the unique patina.

Pricing

While price is not the sole indicator of quality, real leather is generally more expensive than genuine. However, factors such as brand reputation can also influence the cost of leather products.

By evaluating these elements and adhering to certain guidelines, you can enhance your ability to identify genuine leather, leading to more informed purchasing decisions.

Leather from Different Sources

Learning about the different sources from what is real leather made of is another part of learning about ‘what is real leather’. The following are the sources of real leather:

Cowhide Leather

Cowhide leather is a tough and versatile leather particularly used in making cowhide leather jackets. Made from the skin of bovine animals, mainly cows, cowhide leather makes the best leather jackets and leather accessories. Regarded by its uncut form that maintains its original shape, cowhide go through chrome tanning, a practice that make sure its toughness and aptness for multiple uses.

Horse Leather

Horse leather sourced from the hides of multiple horse species and speaks of luxurious and longevity. If you want something stiffer, resistant and durable, horse leather is a good choice. People use horse leather particularly to make gloves and horse gear.

Goat Leather

Sourced from goatskin also called Morocco leather, goatskin leather is a lightweight and thinner leather used for gloves, kid shoes or Kidskin and leather wallets. Goat leather is also highly tough and can handle rough use, therefore it is also used in the production of goatskin leather jackets, carpet binding and rugs (for example in Indonesia).

Real Leather Care and Maintenance

Taking good care of real leather can help it last longer and keep it original shape. Cleaning it regularly, using a conditioner to keep it soft, protecting it from spills, and storing it properly can make a big difference. By sticking to these habits, you can enjoy your leather items for many years without losing their charm.

Clean Regularly

To clean leather items like your leather jacket or leather wallet, gently remove dust using a soft cloth or a vacuum equipped with a soft brush attachment. For stains, opt for a mild soap or a cleaner specifically designed for real leather. Always perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the product is safe and won’t cause damage.