With so many types of leather available on the market, it’s important to understand their differences. Especially when it comes to premium leathers: full grain and top grain.
Which is The Better Leather, Full Grain or Top Grain?
In regard to leather quality, we cannot argue with full-grain’s status. It boasts all the natural and alluring attributes consumers desire with leather, from its individual grain and texture to its unyielding strength and stunning appearance. If you can afford the price tag, full-grain is the leather to invest in. However, top grain leather offers many benefits and qualities. If you prefer a sleeker look to your leather products or a particular grain imprint, top grain is a worthwhile option for everyday leather products.
What is Full Grain Leather?
When it comes to leather, full-grain is the elite. This type of leather comes from the top layer of an animal’s hide. It includes the natural grain of the hide, the part exposed to the elements, which protects the animal and carries the marks and scars of life.
Although the hair is removed, the original traits of the hide and its natural oils remain. This gives the leather its strength, resilience, breathability and thickness, making it a highly sought-after material and why it’s the best but most expensive leather to invest in.
What is Top Grain Leather?
Top grain is a superior leather with the second highest price tag after full grain leather. Top grain also comes from animal’s hide. The difference is that the outermost layer has been removed through a process called splitting.
Splitting leather removes the natural grain to create a smoother surface and sleeker appearance. Although top grain remains a strong and durable leather, it is thinner than full grain. It also requires a protective coating, which reduces its breathability and ageing process.
Are There Other Differences Between Full Grain and Top Grain Leather?
There are several differences between full-grain and top-grain leather. Each brings its own distinct features and reasons why they are two of the best leathers to work with.
The quality
Undoubtedly, full grain leather is the highest quality grade of leather available. This is because it remains closest to its authentic form, including its distinctive grain patterns, natural oils, strength and durability.
Top grain remains an incredible and resourceful leather. However, due to the splitting process, the top grain is thinner as the outer layer has been removed. This then impacts the leather’s breathability making it less resilient to scuffs and marks compared to full grain.
The price tag
Thanks to its exceptional traits, full grain leather has a premium price tag. It is an expensive product for manufacturers to purchase and a difficult material for them to work with. This is mirrored in the cost to the customer, but they know they’re invested in a substantial product.
This does not mean that top grain leather is a cheaper option. In fact, top grain is the second highest quality of leather and, therefore, has the second highest price point. As a split leather, it is thinner, easier to work with and usable across more products, reducing the cost.
Its appearance
The most appealing feature of full grain leather is the story it tells. By preserving the top layer of the hide, we can view the scars, marks and imperfections on the surface – giving the full grain a distinctive look and feel.
To remove the outer layer for top grain leather, the surface is sanded or buffed. This creates a beautiful, smooth surface, removing any blemishes. Imitation grain patterns are imprinted onto the surface to give it a uniform look.
How it ages
The beauty of full grain leather is its patina, the natural ageing process of leather where it changes in colour, texture and appearance to reflect its age. Patina is unique to leather and is caused by exposure to light, moisture, and the leather’s natural oils to create a ‘lived-in’ look.
Because top grain leather removes the hide’s natural outer layer, it also removes the opportunity for the patina to develop. Top grain is treated with a protective coating and grain imprints to provide a regular, less authentic appearance.
It’s durability
Full grain leather contains the strongest fibres from an animal’s hide. This means it's remarkably resilient, strong and hardwearing. Highly breathable, full grain can be comfortably worn for long periods with minimal moisture. Combined with patina, full grain has long-lasting qualities that improve with age and use.
To achieve top grain leather, the strongest fibres of the hide have been removed, along with its robust attributes. Although it remains a strong and durable leather, it can be more prone to scratching, marks and water stains.
How to care for it
Full grain and top grain leather both require, and deserve, care and attention to extend their appearance and lifespan. Even with the top hide layer intact, full grain can still be susceptible to staining. Whereas top grain leather is more at risk of scruffs, water stains and wear and tear because the natural protective layer has been removed.
Whichever leather you choose, regular upkeep with leather cleaner and conditioner will help keep your full grain and top grain leather products in pristine condition.