All articles

What Is Saffiano Leather?

Saffiano leather is a crosshatch pattern pressed into leather or PU and sealed with wax. See how it is made, what sits underneath, and its trade-offs.

Read guide

What Is Aniline Leather?

Aniline leather is dyed with soluble dyes and has no pigment coat, so pores and marks show. Compare semi-aniline and pigmented, and how to spot it.

Read guide

Suede vs. Smooth Leather

Suede is leather napped on the underside; smooth leather keeps the grain. Compare durability, water, care and which to choose for your use.

Read guide

Is Lambskin Real Leather?

Yes, lambskin is real leather: a lamb's skin tanned into leather. See what lambskin, shearling, nappa and imitation labels mean, and how to check.

Read guide

What Does Suede Look Like?

Suede looks matte and fuzzy, with a soft nap and no shine. See how lamb, goat and cow splits differ, and how to tell suede from nubuck or faux.

Read guide

What Is Distressed Leather?

Distressed leather is leather finished to look worn, often with two-tone wax or abrasion. How it differs from natural patina and how to judge quality.

Read guide

What Is Latigo Leather?

Latigo is cowhide tanned with chrome, then vegetable tannins, and loaded with oil and wax. How it is made, how it feels, and the saddle strap.

Read guide

Will Faux Leather Peel?

Yes. Most faux leather is a plastic coating on fabric, and PU-coated, bonded and bicast types are known to peel. Which types peel, why, and a quick test.

Read guide

What Is Buckskin Leather?

Buckskin is soft deer leather made by brain tanning and smoking; today the name often means dyed sheepskin. How it is made and how it compares.

Read guide

What Is Lambskin Leather?

Lambskin leather is leather from a young sheep. The two meanings of "lambskin", how it differs from sheepskin, how it feels, and if it scratches.

Read guide

Can Leather Shrink?

Yes. Damp leather shrinks past its shrinkage temperature: about 158-185 °F for vegetable-tanned, over 212 °F for chrome-tanned. Causes and what to avoid.

Read guide

Nubuck vs. Smooth Leather

Nubuck and smooth leather can come from the same hide; nubuck is sanded to a nap. Compare water, scratches and care, plus which to pick.

Read guide

What Is Chamois Leather?

Chamois leather is an oil-tanned sheepskin flesh split, once made from the chamois goat. Why it is so absorbent, how to spot imitations, and its uses.

Read guide

What Is Nappa Leather?

Nappa (napa) leather is a soft, smooth leather from calf, lamb or kid skins. A trade name with no test, it comes from Napa, California. Finishes explained.

Read guide

What Is Eco Leather?

Eco leather can mean certified real leather or PU on fabric. What the label legally means in Italy, and what EU and US rules let an 'eco' claim say.

Read guide