What are the different types of leather?

Leathers are animal skin distinguished by different tanning and finishing methods. Naugahyde and faux leather are synthetics made of vinyl (PVC), polyurethane (PU) or polyester.

Tanning

Vegetable tanned leathers (typically used to make saddles, belts, luggage) are heavy and stiff with a classic tawny color.

Chromium tanned leather (used in upholstery and garments) creates a softer, stretchier hide with a grey color.

Aldehyde or brain tanned leathers are less common, especially in upholstery.

Dye

After tanning, most leathers are dyed, commonly with aniline dyes. This impregnates color into the leather.

Most leathers also receive some finish coating. Learn more about the difference between leather dyes and finishes.

Finish

Full grain/top grain leather – original epidermis (skin surface) and grain remain intact; pigmented finish resists liquids and stains but can still discolor or fade over time; leather may be monochromatic (single, solid color), have varied tones, or different base-and-print and colors

Corrected grain leather – epidermis was sanded to correct blemishes; pigmented finish applied; leather may be monochromatic (single, solid color), have varied tones, or different base-and-print and colors

Semi-aniline – full-grain leather with epidermis intact; the dye accentuated natural variations in the fiber; a thin clear finish makes it susceptible to fading, stains and body oil; a fingernail can easily mark the surface

Aniline – full-grain leather with epidermis intact; the dye accentuated natural variations in the fiber; no finish whatsoever; warm, velvety feel but very susceptible to stains and fading

Pull up – full-grain aniline leather with a colored waxed or oiled finish; this finish must be removed prior to any restoration work

Split leather – lower half of the hide (no epidermis) and therefore a weaker leather

Nubuck – full-grain leather that has no finish and has been brushed; warm, velvety feel and susceptible to stains

Suede – raw leather or the backside of a finished leather with a fuzzy texture

Bi-cast – split hide with polyurethane coating

Leather Match – leather (usually pigmented, finished or corrected grain) is used where your body touches, but the back and sides are made of vinyl, sometimes polyurethane; this is done to reduce cost

Synthetics

Vinyl – a synthetic made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC); the backside is woven mesh; Naugahyde was a trademarked brand in the 1950s

Bonded leather – a synthetic made of ground scrap leather or polyester microfiber (microsuede) with a polyurethane (PU) coating that peels or flakes

Faux Leather – a smooth finished polyester fabric that does not peel or flake but exposes a fuzzy microfiber