It probably won’t surprise you to learn that not all leather is created equal. For different purposes, different animal hides, different parts of those hides are used, and different processes are applied. As with most footwear, BUCKS® safety boots are manufactured with cow hide because it is the most durable hide that is readily available. Once a hide is harvested and tanned there are different layers of the hide that can be used and processed in different ways for different purposes. Here at Tatra, we manufacture our BUCKS® safety footwear only with top-grade full grain leather.
What is full grain leather?
Full grain leather is top-grade leather. It is the strongest and most durable part of the hide made up of the skin and grain layers of the hide. Due to the fibers of the skin and grain being the densest, this layer is the most resistant to tearing and damage. Full grain leather will bear the tell-tale natural leather look because the skin is left intact and may include slight variations in growth lines, color, texture, and minor scars. These are considered very desirable traits in leather and give each piece its own unique appearance. Full grain leather also possesses a natural breathability and capability to patina gracefully as it ages that is not present in other grades of leather.
What is top grain leather?
Top grain leather is second-grade leather. Like full grain leather it is separated from the corium layer of the hide and includes the grain. Unlike full grain leather, top grain has the outermost layer of the hide, the skin, removed through a process of sanding or buffing to make the top grain leather thinner and more pliable, as well as to create a more uniform finished appearance. The result is a less durable but more workable leather. Unfortunately, the removal of the skin also eliminates the breathability and patina qualities present in full grain leather. Top grain leather is often stamped with a pattern to imitate full grain leather.
What is split leather?
Split leather is considered the lowest grade leather because it is made from the corium of the hide which has the loosest fibers and is therefore the least durable of the types of leather. It is called split leather because it is what is leftover from the process of splitting full grain or top grain from the rest of the hide. Because it is the layer underneath it lacks inconsistencies like wrinkles and scars that are present in full grain leather. Split leather is also circulated under the terms genuine leather and suede. Yes, the term genuine leather can be deceptive because the average person assumes it means it is the real deal when it often means that it is actually made with lower grade split leather. It is often even stamped with the texture of leather grain to give the impression that it is a top-grade leather. Genuine leather and suede have their uses though as they are more affordable for products, clothing, and accessories that do not need to be extremely durable.
What is bonded leather?
Bonded leather is made with scrap leather and polyurethane. It may in fact only contain up to 20% real leather scraps. Any property that is desirable in full grain leather, top grain leather, or split leather (genuine leather or suede) is no longer present in bonded leather and it is therefore not a suitable replacement for leather in any application. It is essentially a less durable faux leather.
In conclusion, be wary of purchasing work footwear that does not specify that it is manufactured with full grain leather. Here at Tatra we pride ourselves in providing safety footwear constructed of the highest quality full grain leather. Shop the BUCKS® line for locally made footwear that lasts.