If you’re looking to invest in a new leather jacket, you’ll need to consider the type of leather from which it’s made. All leather jackets are made of animal hide that’s been dried, tanned and processed. But different types of animal hide are used to make leather, each of which offers unique properties and characteristics. While you can find leather jackets made of a variety of animal hides, the two most common are cowhide and sheepskin. So, what’s the difference between a cowhide and sheepskin leather jacket, and which one should you should choose?
The Grain
Although there are exceptions, most jackets made of sheepskin leather have a finer grain than those made of cowhide leather. Cowhide naturally has a coarser grain than sheepskin. If you ever get the opportunity to perform a side-by-side comparison of a cowhide and sheepskin leather jacket, you can feel the difference with your own hands. The finer grain of sheepskin leather jackets feels silky smooth, whereas the coarser grain of cowhide leather jackets feels more rough. But this is just one of several nuances between cowhide and sheepskin leather jackets.
Weight
Sheepskin leather jackets are significantly lighter than cowhide leather jackets. This is because sheepskin is naturally thinner with a smaller, finer grain than its cowhide counterpart, making it particularly lightweight. If you’re planning to wear your leather jacket during the spring or summer, the lightweight properties of a sheepskin leather jacket make it well worth the investment. It won’t weigh you down as much as a cowhide leather jacket, nor will it leave you feeling uncomfortably hot.
Softness
Because they have finer grain, sheepskin leather jackets are also softer than cowhide leather jackets. Even if you wear a sheepskin leather jacket with a sleeveless t-shirt, you can rest assured knowing that it won’t cause any discomfort. The superior level of softness offered by sheepskin leather jackets will allow you to wear all day it long. It’s soft, supple and feels amazing against your skin. Cowhide leather jackets can also be soft, but they typically aren’t as soft as sheepskin leather jackets.
Aesthetics
Cowhide and sheepskin leather jackets feature a very similar appearance. With that said, many men and women prefer the look of sheepskin leather jackets over cowhide leather jackets. As mentioned above, sheepskin leather jackets have a finer grain. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s still noticeable to the naked eye. With its finer grain, sheepskin leather jackets have a smoother, cleaner appearance over their cowhide counterparts.
Durability
Both cowhide and sheepskin leather jackets are incredibly durable. Regardless of which type you choose, you don’t have to worry about it degrading anytime soon. Cowhide and sheepskin leather jackets can literally last for decades when properly maintained. You can check out this previous blog post for tips on how to preserve your leather jacket. The key thing to remember, though, is that you need to condition it on a regular basis. Applying a conditioning product like saddle soap to your cowhide or sheepskin leather will supply with moisture so that it doesn’t dry out — something that could otherwise lead to permanent damage like cracking.
Colors
In terms of color options, you can find cowhide and sheepskin leather jackets available in a wide variety of colors. In the past, they were made almost exclusively in brown. While brown leather jackets are still popular, you can now found this classic form of outerwear available in dozens of other colors, some of which include black, red, white, green, blue and even yellow.
So, which color you should choose for your cowhide or sheepskin leather jacket? Here are a few tips on how to choose the right color for your leather jacket:
- Choose a leather jacket in a color that matches the clothes and accessories with which you intended to wear it.
- Choose a darker color if you’re planning to wear your leather jacket during the winter or a lighter color if you’re planning to wear it during the summer.
- When in doubt, stick with brown or black. Whether they are made of cowhide or sheepskin, leather jackets look amazing in brown or black. And because these two colors are so common, you can easily match them with your other clothes and accessories.
Comfort
Most people will agree that sheepskin leather jackets are more comfortable to wear than cowhide leather jacket. Again, both types of leather jacket are comfortable, but those made of sheepskin leather typically offer a superior level of comfort. Considering that most people wear their leather jackets for up to six hours a day, you need to choose a comfortable leather jacket. Otherwise, you may find yourself wearing a different coat or jacket. For the highest level of comfort, you can’t beat a genuine sheepskin leather jacket.
Price
You can expect to pay more for a sheepskin leather jacket than a cowhide leather jacket. Cowhide leather jackets are more common than sheepskin leather jackets, so they usually come at a lower price. With that said, don’t allow the higher price to discourage you from purchasing a sheepskin leather jacket. Although they cost more than cowhide leather jackets, sheepskin leather jackets often offer a greater value because of their superior softness and characteristics.
What About Napa Sheepskin Leather?
Keep in mind that not all sheepskin leather jackets are made of equal. Some sheepskin leather jackets, such as those sold here at LeatherCult, are made of a Napa sheepskin leather. What is Napa sheepskin leather exactly? Basically, the term “Napa leather” refers to a high-end type of leather that’s characterized by a fine, soft grain. There’s also cowhide Napa leather, but sheepskin Napa leather outperforms cowhide in nearly every way.
Napa sheepskin leather offers an out-of-this-world softness that’s not found in other types of leather. Whether you wear it once a week or every day, it will remain soft and supple.