Deerskin vs Cowhide Gloves: Which Leather Fits Your Hands and Your Job?

Deerskin gloves are softer, stretchier and stay supple after getting wet. Cowhide gloves are heavier, firmer and the more common, lower-cost choice for rough work.

Glove makers rate both as tough. Deerskin's interwoven fibers give it high abrasion resistance, while cowhide's weight makes it durable and good against sparks.

Our verdict: pick deerskin for comfort, dexterity and wet-and-dry use, such as driving and general work gloves. Pick cowhide for heavy, dirty jobs and for value.

Part of our leather comparison chart.

Deerskin vs cowhide gloves at a glance

Which is softer and more flexible?

Deerskin. A glove maker describes it as ultra-soft, supple and comfortable with a spongy feel. Another glove maker, Dents, calls it soft and supple yet very strong.

A well-cut deerskin glove stretches across the hand but not much along the fingers. It expands when you make a fist, and the fingers don't go floppy over time.

Cowhide can feel stiff at first, but it is described as easy to break in. Cowhide is generally considered too thick and bulky for finer dress gloves, though it is used for some casual styles.

Which is tougher?

Both are tough, in different ways. Work-glove maker Black Stallion rates deerskin as one of the toughest glove leathers, because its long interwoven fibers give very high shear strength and abrasion resistance.

Cowhide is one of the heaviest glove leathers, which makes it very tough and durable. It also handles sparks and spatter well, which is why it is common in welding and work gloves.

Need more than either? Elkskin is thicker and more durable than deerskin and the most heat, flame and abrasion resistant of the common glove leathers.

Grain or split matters too

Thick cowhide can be split into several layers. Grain leather is the most durable choice, while split leather is cheaper and more abrasion resistant but generally not as strong. Check which one a work glove uses. Our split leather vs genuine leather page explains the layers.

Weight and warmth

Sources disagree on weight. One reference calls deerskin heavier than fine hairsheep glove leather, while a work-glove maker calls deerskin lightweight. Both agree that cowhide is heavy, describing it as one of the heaviest glove leathers and too bulky for dress gloves.

Warmth comes mostly from the lining. For example, Leather Collection pairs 0.8–0.9 mm (about 0.03 in) cowhide with a 40-gram Thinsulate lining in its winter work-style glove.

Wet weather and care

Deerskin is one of the few leathers that can get wet and still dry soft. It can be wet and dried over and over and return to its original condition. That does not make it waterproof. Our page are deerskin gloves waterproof? goes into detail.

Cowhide is described as dirt and water resistant. Heat is its enemy when drying. Leather Collection warns that drying on a heater can stiffen cowhide.

For either leather:

• Wipe off dirt with a damp or dry soft cloth.
• Dry wet gloves flat at room temperature. Never use a hair dryer or radiator.
• Condition now and then, and store gloves flat in a cool, dry place, not a plastic bag.

For full cleaning steps, see hosob's guide on how to clean leather gloves.

Which should you choose?

Comparing deerskin with softer sheep leathers instead? See deerskin vs sheepskin gloves. For other work-glove hides, see pigskin vs cowhide gloves.

Cowhide gloves at Leather Collection

Leather Collection does not sell deerskin gloves. Its men's range is lambskin and cowhide, mostly 0.8–0.9 mm, and it describes cowhide as a little firmer than lambskin. The cowhide option is a Thinsulate-lined winter pair. See the Leather Collection men's leather gloves.

FAQ

What is the toughest leather for gloves?

Among common glove leathers, glove makers rate deerskin among the toughest, with elkskin thicker and more durable still.

Is deerskin or cowhide better for gloves?

Deerskin for comfort, stretch and wet-dry use. Cowhide for heavy work and lower cost.

Can cowhide gloves be washed?

The care advice we found says to wipe them with a damp cloth and dry them at room temperature. For the washing question in depth, see hosob's can you machine wash leather gloves?

Is deerskin cleaned like other leather?

Mostly, yes. Wipe it clean, then dry it flat at room temperature away from heat.