Full-Grain vs Top-Grain Leather: What's the Difference?

When you shop for a leather jacket, the type of leather matters as much as the cut. Two terms come up most often: full-grain and top-grain.

What is full-grain leather?

Full-grain leather uses the whole outer layer of the hide with its natural surface left intact. You will see small marks and variations in the grain, which show that the surface has not been sanded away. It is the strongest type of leather, and it softens and develops a rich patina as you wear it.

What is top-grain leather?

Top-grain leather is also cut from the outer layer, but the surface is lightly sanded to remove blemishes and then finished. The result is smoother and more uniform, and slightly more resistant to stains. The trade-off is that it develops a little less character over time.

Which should you choose?

• Choose full-grain if you want a jacket that ages with you and you like visible natural character.
• Choose top-grain if you prefer a more even, uniform finish.

What about suede and nubuck?

Suede is the soft, napped underside of the hide. Nubuck is top-grain leather lightly buffed to give a fine, velvety nap. Both look wonderful, but they dislike water and need gentler care.

Every product page at Holloway & Hide names the leather used. For a deeper look, read our Leather Guide, or browse all leather jackets.