The timeless class and richness of quality leather apparel has endured through the ages. Today's market place offers a vast selection of sources for any leather product we seek. The many shopping malls and high-end retail stores along with discount markets and on-line resources offer countless high fashion styles and designs of leather products. You will find items constructed of leathers that run the gauntlet from the lowest to the highest of quality in the lightest to the heaviest of leather weights available. The quality of any leather garment or product begins with the quality of the leather itself.
It is not easy to determine the quality of the leather just by looking. Style and/or fashion are secondary to a biker because the heavy, thicker leather is wanted and needed for the protection it offers and not the thinner lighter weight leather. Only cowhide or buffalo is adequate for protective leather apparel even though you will find motorcycle leather apparel made of hides such as lambskin and other lighter weight hides. If the type of skin and leather grade is not known, then one should be sure to ask.
If your budget can't afford a high end brand name or logoed product, affordable high quality leather fashion and/or motorcycle apparel and accessories can be found. There are well known, reputable manufacturers of quality leather products. What if you aren't familiar with the brand names of these affordable quality products? Some basic knowledge is needed to help in making your choice for purchase. Shopping on line offers many advantages such as convenience, time saving and more importantly, it usually offers a great deal of information. Great buys can be found on-line because many on-line stores do not have a retail store front and therefore can usually offer their products at much lower prices.
When seeing the term 'Imported' it is important to know that even though there are some biker leather products made in the USA, most are very expensive as the US companies simply cannot compete with the low overseas labor costs. Most of the quality Motorcycle Leather Apparel and Automobile Leather is imported from Pakistan. Pakistan is the number 1 supplier of imported quality leather! There are only a few companies that make Custom biker leather apparel. These companies sew the Custom Brand labels into their high quality leathers and some have allegedly sewn "Made in USA" into imported garments. History tells us that the art of tanning leather was developed and being perfected in these areas long before many other countries were developed. The centuries of knowledge and experience reveals its rewards in the high quality leather products produced and exported. Many (if not most) well known, licensed and/or name brand high quality leather apparel and accessories are imported leathers.
Italy produces beautiful fashion-grade apparel mostly of Deer, Goat or Lambskin which is suitable for light use only and not for motorcycle leather apparel and other protective leathers. Less expensive imported leathers are imported from China and India and are mostly Pigskin or Buffalo.
The hide or skin type, weight, grade and manufacturing process used are important factors that can affect the quality of leather and some basic knowledge is very helpful to the consumer.
Determining your choice of skin type should be based on many factors. The application of the product should be considered when choosing the skin type as different skin types are more durable and have higher sheer strengths than others.
Although there are many different hides used in the leather manufacturing industry, Cowhide is the most preferred leather even as it is the most expensive leather to produce. It has an average thickness of 5mm before it is split and covers a wide spectrum of textures and qualities. The availability of cowhide, since it is a by-product of the beef industry in the United States and Western Europe, helps to make cowhide leather more affordable than some of the rarer and exotic hides. Cowhide is durable, easy to care for, resistant to water and dirt and maintains its integrity while taking on the shape of the wearer.
Buffalo hide is made from Water Buffalo and not from American Bison. It is one of the most common types of leather and is used in the small leather goods. Buffalo leather has a unique grain character and is valued for its long-lasting durability. Buffalo hide is a high quality leather that can be tanned as top-grain or naked leather and is second only to cowhide as a choice for motorcycle leather apparel and other protective leather products.
Deerskin is considered the best leather because it can be wet and dried repeatedly and will always conform back to its original condition and is comfortable for any temperature. Because of its soft supple qualities, high sheer strength and resistance to abrasion, it can be used for almost any garment. However, deer, lamb and goat skins are thinner and will come apart easier than heavier weight skins, they are only adequate for use in lighter weight garments such as halter tops, skirts, shorts and vests. Deerskin is still relatively rare therefore less commonly used and commands a higher price than cowhide even though it is no longer obtained from the wild. Deer farms in New Zealand and Australia now supply these farm-deer skins that are prized for their use in such items as jackets, overcoats and personal high quality accessories.
Pigskin is very versatile leather and is easily transformed into many of today's fashions. Its natural lightweight grain produces a distinctive pattern.
Leather Weights;
The application of the product should also be a consideration when making weight choices of leather. The weight of the leather chosen for motorcycle boots should be different from that chosen for dress shoes. Having the leather soft and supple might be of more importance than the weight of the leather when choosing high quality leather for fashion apparel. However, the weight of the leather used should be of greater importance in the construction in a leather garment such as a motorcycle jacket or chaps and other protective leather products where heavier leather is preferred for more protection.
Some weights by application:
* Fashion Leather Apparel usually ranges from between 1.5 oz. and 2.5 oz. or 1.0mm and less
* Motorcycle Jacket Leather usually ranges between 3 oz. to 6 oz. or 1.1mm to 1.3mm most common for general riding protection...1.3mm & up only used in Naked Leather!
* Motorcycle Vest Leather ranges between 3 oz to 6 oz. or (same as jackets)
* Glove leather can range from 1.5 oz. to 6 oz.
* Work glove leather usually ranges between 2.5 oz. to 6 oz.
Some leather terms and definitions:
* Naked Leather: When only the best will do! Naked leather has little to no imperfections. Because of the lack of imperfections, the natural grain has not been sanded away and an artificial grain was not embossed (pressed) into the surface. No coating or other finishes are applied allowing it to retain its full "breathability", strength and supple qualities. Only about 5% of the hides can be finished as Naked Leather.
* Full-Grain Leather is made from clean natural hides which have not been sanded to remove imperfections. The grain remains in its natural state allowing natural breathability, greater durability and fiber strength. Rather than wearing out, the natural Full-Grain surface will grow more beautiful as it develops a natural "patina".
* Top-Grain Leather (also known as Corrected-Grain Leather) is made by sanding the natural grain from the surface to remove the scars and imperfections and pressing (embossing) an artificial grain onto the surface. Top-Grain leather is fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other. It is usually heavily painted to cover up the sanding and embossing process. Top-Grain is a common leather quality found in motorcycle leathers and is considered to be a strong, tough riding gear even as it is not the best leather available. It has a medium price range and a thickness of 1mm to 1.2mm.
About The Author:
Ruth Ray grants free reprint rights to anyone wishing to reprint this article so long as it is printed exactly as written in it's entirity and recommended website is encluded.
