Full Grain Leather vs Top Grain Leather vs Split Leather?
There are plenty of misunderstandings when it comes to leather. That’s because the leather industry has its own unique vocabulary — and it can get a little overwhelming. However, we don’t want you to get lost in the language. A simpler way to put this is cow skin can be spilt into different layers and graded based on natural texture and quality:
Full Grain Leather is is pure, uncut leather with only the hair removed. As a result, it is the thickest and most authentic grade of leather. This is because all of the natural characteristics of the leather remain intact – from pores, to scars and bug bites, to natural folds in the skin. It is also the most durable. These features make full grain the most expensive grade of leather.
Top Grain Leather is thinner, more affordable, and a little less durable than full grain leather. A common misconception is that top grain leather is the highest quality leather available. This is understandable due to the word “top” being included in the name. While top grain is generally very high quality, it is still a step down from full grain leather.
Split Leather doesn’t have the same natural look or feel. This is because the surface of a split leather is technically an interior layer of the hide. So things like pores, lines on the skin, etc. are entirely absent unless they are artificially embossed or impressed onto the leather. Split leather is the lowest quality of these 3 grades and is typically only used to make pigmented leather products. That being said, split leathers are much more affordable.
Gel Leatherette is leather like material that mimics the look and feel of genuine leather with out the environment impact. Made form polyurethane and scraps of traditional leather materials, leather gel fabric is an eco-friendly substitute for genuine leather. Leather gel is more resistant to staining and fading compare to other types of leather.