Leather Types and Quality
Is Goat Leather Good Quality? Yes, for Light Goods That See Daily Wear
Is goat leather good? Yes for gloves, bags and light jackets: fine grain and durable, but weaker than cow or deer and cut from small hides. Sourced answer.
Yes. Tanned goatskin is considered extremely durable, and it has been used for gloves, boots and fine bookbindings for centuries. It is not the strongest hide: a Massey University study of raw skins named goat and sheep as the two weaker of the four skins it examined, behind cow and deer. That makes goat a good choice for gloves, bags, linings and light jackets, and a weaker one for parts that carry the heaviest loads.
This answer is part of our guide to leather types, grades and quality.
What makes goat leather good
- A fine, visible grain. One leather supplier says the goat's firm fur leaves a clear, characteristic grain. A made-to-order bag maker also calls goat leather fine-grained.
- Soft but hard-wearing. Goatskin is often chosen for gloves, boots and other goods that need a soft hide. Kid leather, the classic glove leather, is traditionally goatskin.
- A long record in fine goods. The best grades of Morocco leather are goatskin, valued for softness, pliability and the way it takes color, and used for gloves, shoe uppers, wallets and bookbindings.
- Good marks in gloves. One US safety-supply distributor rates goatskin gloves high for dexterity and abrasion resistance, and credits the skin's natural lanolin with good water resistance.
The leathercraft channel International Leather Club shows goatskin from the top, the back and in cross-section, so you can see how tight the fibers stay through the skin. Its price range is the channel's own estimate, and it calls goat more prone to water damage than some hides, where the glove distributor above credits its lanolin with good water resistance.
Where goat leather falls short
- Strength. In the Massey study, cow and deer skins were strongest and goat was one of the two weaker skins. Kangaroo is stated to be about 50% stronger than goatskin.
- Small hides. A goat hide averages 0.5-0.9 m² (about 5.4-9.7 sq ft), against 45-60 sq ft for most cowhides. A large item needs more panels and more seams.
- Price. The same distributor says goatskin gloves can cost more than cowhide or pigskin. One vendor guide lists goat at $6-12 per sq ft, but its figures differ between sections.
Goat vs. cowhide vs. sheepskin
Two soft leathers are compared in more depth in calfskin vs. lambskin leather. For the hide that tops the tear tests, see is deerskin leather durable?
| Column 1 | Goat | Cowhide | Sheepskin and lambskin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel, per the store | Between the two, fine grain; a little firmer than sheepskin | Firm and tough | Soft and light |
| Strength in studies | One of the weaker skins | Among the strongest | Weaker, and most variable across a skin |
| Hide size | 0.5-0.9 m² | Mostly 45-60 sq ft | Lambskin about 4-7 sq ft |
| Typical fit | Gloves, bags, linings, shoes | Bags that carry heavy loads | Clothing, fine gloves |
How to judge a goat leather piece
- Check the surface. Goat can be sold with its own grain, as suede, or pressed with a pattern; suede comes from the underside of a split. How to read a grain is covered in understanding leather grain types.
- Ask about tannage and finish. They change softness, gloss and color as much as the animal does.
- Read past "genuine leather". On a label it can mean only that the item contains leather. The full ladder is in leather grades explained.
Goat leather in made-to-order goods
The Leather Collection custom bag can be made in goat leather, cowhide or sheepskin and is hand-stitched to order. Its custom jackets offer goatskin at no surcharge over cowhide. Neither page states a grain grade or tannage, so ask before you order.
FAQ
Is goat leather genuine leather?
Yes, it is real leather made from goat hide. "Genuine leather" printed on a label is a different matter and says nothing about the layer.
Is goat leather expensive?
It varies by seller. One distributor says goatskin gloves can cost more than cowhide, while one custom jacket maker charges the same for goatskin as for cowhide.
What is the toughest leather for gloves?
In one tear-strength study, deer leather was strongest, then cattle, then sheep. Kangaroo is also noted for strength at low thickness.
LeatherGuru Editorial Team
LeatherGuru articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.