Leather
There are generally accepted to be five different types of leather quality
Firstly, the hide is split into two parts; the top, which is the most valuable, and the bottom, which can be split even further to make various different grades.
Top of the hide
- Full-grain Leather
Considered to be the highest quality, it is left in the most natural state. It is not split at all, and consists of the entire top layer of the leather. It is durable, and maintains many of the natural characteristics and inconsistencies of the leather.
- Top-grain Leather
This is leather that has been sanded and buffed to remove imperfections, making it smoother and more uniform in texture. This process also removes the natural grain and patina of the leather, making it less distinct than full grain leather.
Underside of the hide
- Split-grain Leather
This leather doesn’t contain any of the hide’s natural markings or grain. Most commonly, split-grain leather is suede
- Genuine Leather
This is leather made from the very bottom of the cut. It is heavily processed and contains none of the original hide’s natural grain. Although, technically leather, it isn’t as durable or certainly as beautiful as the top of the hide quality leather.
- Bonded Leather
Technically not a leather at all. Instead, a composite of leather dust, vinyl, leather scraps, plastic and glue that have been bonded together. Similar to genuine leather, it’s a relatively cheap product that doesn’t stand the test of time.
Leather that will last
A full-grain leather shoe can provide years and years of usefulness to its owner and will grow more beautiful as it develops the warm patina for which high-quality full-grain leathers are known.
