Goatskin is one of the most durable leathers you can find. Its high durability and abrasion resistance make it a popular choice for many manufacturers in making gloves, jackets, shoes, bags, apparel, outerwear, wallets, accessories, and rugs, to name a few.
Most leather used for these purposes can be classified into two types: luxury leather and utility leather. Most apparel from goatskin falls under utility leather, making up more than 90% of goatskin produced worldwide.
Characteristics of goatskin leather
Goatskin is natural leather. It will last more than a lifetime, and with regular care, it will only improve. When choosing the right leather for your pack, consider the size of your load and how you’ll use it.
It would be best if you chose a truly fat-free animal. If you plan on putting lots of gear in the bag (for instance, during hunting season), it’s best to opt for leather that’s been assuredly hormone-free.
Why goatskin leather is better than other types of leather
When it comes to quality, style, and durability, goatskin is hard to beat. Compared to the suede, Nubuck, and eBay alternative, it’s the clear winner. Not only will it easily protect from sunlight and moisture, but it will look superb on your shoe, bag, or jacket.
It comes in various colors with varnishes that provide comfort and moisture resistance. If you’re looking for a great pair of shoes with the best-looking, feeling leather, you’ve come to the right place.
Goatskin vs. Cowhide
| Category | Goat Leather | Cow Leather |
|---|---|---|
| Texture & Appearance | Fine-grained, distinctive pattern. Smoother and more lustrous. | Coarser grain, less distinctive pattern. Can be smooth or rough. |
| Durability & Strength | Durable but slightly less strong. Resistant to water and abrasion. | Highly durable and strong. Can withstand rough conditions. |
| Flexibility & Softness | Naturally soft and flexible. Requires less break-in time. | Can be stiff initially but becomes flexible with use. |
| Maintenance & Care | Requires regular moisturizing. Less prone to cracking. | Needs occasional conditioning. Can be prone to cracking if not cared for. |
| Environmental Impact | Lower environmental impact. | Larger environmental footprint. |
| Price | Generally less expensive. | More expensive, especially for high-quality cuts. |
| Common Uses | Bookbinding, gloves, small leather goods, garments. | Jackets, shoes, belts, furniture, larger leather goods. |
Cowhide is made from five separate layers. Each layer has been carefully stitched to ensure even thickness, creating a dense fabric. This is what gives cowhide its stiffness while remaining lightweight.
On the other hand, Goatskin is made from a single piece of leather that has been tightly stretched and hand-cut for strength. The leather is still alive during cutting, giving it flexibility and strength.
Sheepskin vs. Goatskin
| Category | Sheepskin | Goatskin |
|---|---|---|
| Texture & Appearance | Plush wool on one side, smooth suede-like texture on the other. Less pronounced grain. | Fine-grained, distinctive pattern. Smoother and more lustrous. |
| Durability & Strength | Softer, less durable. Wool provides insulation. | More durable, resistant to water and abrasion. |
| Flexibility & Softness | Extremely soft due to wool. Leather side less flexible. | Naturally soft and flexible. Requires less break-in time. |
| Maintenance & Care | Requires care for wool’s plushness. Leather side cleaned with standard cleaners. | Requires regular moisturizing. Less prone to cracking. |
| Environmental Impact | Byproduct of meat industry. Raised for wool and meat. | Byproduct of meat industry. Raised for meat and milk. |
| Price | Generally more expensive due to wool. | Less expensive than sheepskin. |
| Common Uses | Rugs, seat covers, boots, winter clothing. | Bookbinding, gloves, small leather goods, garments. |
For openers, goatskin is tougher and more durable than sheepskin, yet it lacks the suppleness of sheepskin. Sheepskin is a more flexible material than goatskin. In terms of softness and weight, goatskin would be slightly heavier than sheepskin, while sheepskin is far softer.
Lambskin vs. Goatskin
| Category | Lambskin | Goatskin |
|---|---|---|
| Texture & Appearance | Very soft with a fine grain. Less pronounced texture. | Fine-grained, distinctive pattern. Smoother and more lustrous. |
| Durability & Strength | Softer, less durable. Luxurious feel. | More durable, resistant to water and abrasion. |
| Flexibility & Softness | Extremely soft and supple. Used for high-end fashion items. | Naturally soft and flexible. Slightly less supple than lambskin. |
| Maintenance & Care | Requires gentle care. Susceptible to scratches. | Requires regular moisturizing. Less prone to scratching. |
| Environmental Impact | Byproduct of meat industry. Lambs are young sheep raised for meat. | Byproduct of meat industry. Raised for meat and milk. |
| Price | Generally more expensive due to its luxurious feel and softness. | Less expensive than lambskin. |
| Common Uses | High-end fashion garments, gloves, small leather goods. | Bookbinding, gloves, small leather goods, garments. |
Goatskin is tougher than lambskin and has more rough properties. However, they are tied since goatskin and lambskin have comparable flexibility properties. Moreover, goatskin is far thicker than lambskin and provides far superior insulation. Lambskin is a far better alternative than goatskin regarding softness and suppleness.
Goatskin Leather’s Benefits and Drawbacks
Despite the parallels of goatskin to other forms of leather made above, goatskin has its own set of benefits and drawbacks:
- Goatskin has a natural capacity to absorb moisture.
- Goatskin leather will keep you cool in hot weather.
- You will keep warm throughout cooler temperatures with goatskin leather.
- What is the reason behind this? Because of its propensity to vary depending on the weather.
- Goatskin may be shaved and split.
- Most forms of leather are more expensive than goatskin leather.
FAQs
Is Goat Leather Worth It?
Goat leather is a beautiful alternative for sturdy, flexible, and soft leather.
Is Calfskin or Goatskin Better?
As previously stated, goatskin is superior to calfskin in flexibility and softness.
What Is the Name of Goatskin Leather?
Goat leather or Goatskin.
Is Goat Leather Resistant to Water?
Goat leather is water-resistant to a large extent. This implies that it can keep water out to some extent.
How Do You Maintain Goat Leather?
Protecting goat leather from extremely humid and moist environment conditions might help it last longer and stay safe.
Is Goat Leather Odorous?
Goat leather, like other forms of leather, has a distinct odour. Being covered with an animal’s skin.
What is Goat Suede?
Goat suede refers to the hide of a goat used to produce suede.
Is Goat Leather Durable?
Goat leather is vital, albeit not as tough as cowhide.
How Can You Tell If It’s Goat Leather?
Goat leather has a grainy surface with characteristic ridges that distinguish it from other types of leather.
What online leather stores Sell Goat Leather Products?
High-quality goatskin outerwear may be obtained from Horizon Leathers. Customers may discover a ready-to-wear selection and a produced and custom-tailored service at this location.
Finally, a few words about goatskin leather.
If we were to conclude goatskin leather, it was as follows: Goatskin leather is known for its unique capacity to adapt to either a warm or cold environment, keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the heat, or the fact that it is smooth and flexible as well as supple enough to assure comfort.
An intriguingly textured surface contributes to goatskin’s originality, which isn’t only about looking nice and fulfilling a far more active and helpful purpose due to goatskin’s durability.
So, the next time you encounter products manufactured of goatskin leather, you’ll know a lot further about what it has to offer and what attributes make it an excellent choice.
Meet Craig, the leather guru behind a store and blog that helps you find the best leather products. When he’s not curating lists of top-tier leather items, he’s hiking Table Mountain or walking his dog. Trust his picks, and you’ll never feel leather regret.