Types of Leather Used in Men’s Kilts

Kilts are Scottish attires covering the lower part of the body until the knees. Once made with tartan, these clothing items are now made with different fabrics, including leather, denim, cotton, etc. This article aims to inform our readers about the types of leather used to make men’s kilts. We will compare the multiple leather variants and tell you which type is best.

Types of Leather

A majority only knows about leather kilts, while only a few have information about their types. Some leathers used to make men’s kilts are full-grain, top-grain, patent leather, and many more. All of these leathers have different characteristics, which makes them different from each other. Have a look at their details:

Full-grain Leather

Let us start with the best leather quality, known as full-grain leather. It is made with the first layer of animal hide, which is left untreated, ensuring its durability and unique texture. Undoubtedly, the higher the quality, the more expensive the product. Making this pure leather is not an easy process; the hide is prepared, cleaned, and soaked. The leather is known for maintaining its texture for a long time but with proper care. When we talk about the famous kilts made by, the name of Handmade Leather Kilt for Men-Traditional Scottish Utility Kilt Black RAFAEL comes to the front.

Top-grain Leather

Another leather used to make kilts is top-grain. This type is smoother than full-grain. A feature setting it apart from many others is its crack resistance. However, improper care and harsh conditions can harm its structure too. Most brands prefer this leather because of its durability and longer lifespan than others. Cowhide leather is its common type used to make kilts.

Yet, to enjoy time with this leather, it is essential to clean and maintain it properly. While comparing this type to full-grain leather, this specific one is less breathable, which means it does not perform well in hot weather.

Split leather

The next leather type on our list making kilts is split leather. This type is less durable and made with a lower layer of animal hide. This feature makes it affordable comparatively, but people usually do not prefer to wear it because of its rough appearance.

Though it cannot compete with the previously discussed leather, this leather remains a choice of people for its low price factor and stiffness. If we talk about the drawbacks, it is less water-absorbent. Similarly, it is more prone to wear and tear, specifically in tough situations.

Patent Leather

Spotting shiny leather kilts and other products like shoes, belts, and bags is quite easy in our surroundings. This glossy varnished surface is because of patent leather. Though the original leather is never so sparking, it has to pass through a process to add this shine.

Usually, this type of leather kilts are considered durable, beautiful, and, more importantly, easy to maintain. Similarly, they are versatile in colors and work as a good waterproofing fabric. Nonetheless, patent leather also has some disadvantages. Crackness, discoloration, and less breathability are common problems users can face. A famous kilt made by this leather type is Black Patent Leather Kilts.

Nubuck Leather

Nubuck leather is another type that can be used in kilts; however, the probability is relatively low. This leather offers a velvet flair, which is composed of animal hide that passes through sanded procedure. A positive aspect of this kind is that it is colorable. Nubuck was initially made from deer, elk, and moose hides.

Though not so common in dress, this kilt is easy to find in shoes. The things that do not make this leather much preferable for kilts are that it cannot bear direct UV rays, which fade the color. Similarly, it gets stained easily, and water can easily damage it.

Cowhide Leather

Let us talk about cowhide, one of the most common animal hides used to make leather kilts. It is made with cow’s skin that passes through a proper tanning process to make it durable and water resistant. This leather is popular not only for making kilts but also for making rugs, purses, backpacks, duffle bags, wallets, outerwear, footwear, and furniture.

Along with a number of benefits, cowhide leather kilts also pose some disadvantages, like less breathability and the probability of cracks. Some people who prefer sustainability do not choose this leather. They consider it contributing to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. If we talk about some famous kilts made with this leather are Fashion Black Leather Kilts with Silver Chains and Red Leather Kilt with Black Front Pocket.

Exotic Leathers

Here comes the time to discuss leather, which is composed of rare animals. These animals often belong to reptile families, like crocodiles, lizards, and python snakes. Some other animals are ostriches, kangaroos, and stingrays. These leathers are quite costly because composers hunt the animals specifically to get the leather.

Though these leathers are costly, they offer many advantages, including durability, flexibility, softness, ease of maintenance, and waterproofness. Similarly, every advantageous product has drawbacks. Some of them are that they require too much care, require high investment, and present manufacturing challenges. Many kilts made with this leather type are common, but the most specific one is Exotic Sexy Leather Kilt.

Comparison of Leathers

Which Leather is Best?

Details and comparisons of all the leathers must have told you a lot about them. So, it is time to decide which leather is best to use. It depends on the choice of wearers. Undoubtedly, the price of leather matters a lot; the higher the price, the higher the comfort. From the kilt’s perspective, cowhide is considered the best because of its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the best cowhide leather kilts to buy: