The Pros, the Cons, and Everything In-Between
“Leather is Leather”. A statement that simply isn’t true, no matter how you spin it. Essentially, there are four different types of leather out there, and these include:
1: Full-Grain Leather
Sourced from the top layer of the hide, full-grain leather – as its name suggests – comes with all the grain. It retains its intrinsic toughness, imperfections, and character, making it the best choice in the leather realm.
2: Top-Grain Leather
As the second highest leather grade, top-grain leather is sourced by splitting the skin’s top layer from the blemished hides. The surface is then sanded to eliminate imperfections. While this promises a more consistent aesthetic, it sacrifices the integrity of the original leather look.
3: Corrected Grain Leather
Otherwise known as split or genuine leather, corrected grain leather uses the skin layers remaining once the top is split off. This type of leather is tougher than most others, generally used for applications where softness isn’t a priority. The main con is that the heavy processing compromises the leather’s inherent breathability.
4: Bonded Leather
Made using the “leftovers” of the hide, like shavings and dust, bonded leather is the cheapest and lowers of all leather grades. While it’s great for things like furniture and bookbinding, you normally won’t be able to determine how much of the leather is natural unless the manufacturer discloses it.
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At Kolossus Workwear, we use the Top Grain leather for your peace of mind. Click here to explore our range of quality workwear now.
