The Softest Types of Leather: Which Feels Softest and What You Trade for It

Lambskin is the leather most often named the softest, with deerskin, kid goatskin, nappa-finished leather and suede close behind. Lambskin's grain is very fine, soft and silky, and lamb and deer are the leathers used for soft, more expensive clothing.

Softness has a price. The softest leathers scratch, stretch or wear faster than firmer cowhide. This page is part of our hub on leather properties and uses.

Soft leathers compared

No lab ranking of these leathers by softness turned up in our research, so treat any "number one" claim as opinion.

What makes leather soft

Softness comes from the animal and from the tannery.

• The animal and its age. Lambskins come from young sheep and are small, about 4-7 sq ft (0.4-0.6 m²) each. One retailer says hides from younger animals and chrome tanning both tend to give softer leather.
• Fatliquoring. Tanners work oils into the leather so the fibers slide instead of sticking together, which restores flexibility.
• Milling. Tumbling leather in a drum makes it more supple.
• Splitting and napping. Suede comes from the underside of the skin, which is softer and more pliable than the outer layer.

Too much softening is a fault too: over-lubricated leather turns limp and "raggy" in the bellies and flanks. More on the finish in what nappa leather is.

What softness costs

• Scratches. Lambskin scratches more than goatskin, and smooth calf more than cowhide.
• Wear. Suede is less durable than full-grain leather. One bag maker recommends cowhide for bags that must hold their shape.
• Shape. Lambskin is slouchier. See how much lambskin stretches.

Can soft leather tear easily? Lambskin's good elasticity and resistance to breaking are what let tanners make it so thin. At garment thickness, though, a thin soft hide will not take the abrasion a firm cowhide does. For head-to-head detail, see lambskin vs calfskin and deerskin vs cowhide.

Is kangaroo leather soft?

Kangaroo leather came up in our searches for the softest leather in Australia, but the sources we checked describe it as strong and light rather than as the softest. Wikipedia cites CSIRO studies that rank it among the strongest leathers for its thickness. Its fibers run parallel to the surface, so it can be cut very thin and still keep its strength. That thinness may make it feel supple, but we found no independent source ranking its softness.

How to pick soft leather by item

For a soft hide you'll wear every day, Leather Collection men's leather gloves are mostly lambskin and cowhide of 0.8-0.9 mm; the store describes the lambskin as light and easy to bend.

If you buy in volume, softness can be measured: ISO 17235 is a non-destructive softness test for non-rigid leathers such as apparel and leathergoods leather. Our sister site covers caring for lambskin, and the full item-by-item guide is the best leather for each item.

FAQ

What is soft and supple leather called?

Often "nappa". It's a generic term for soft leather from calves, lambs and kid goats, with no test that defines it.

What is the highest quality leather in the world?

Softness and quality are different things. Full-grain leather keeps the whole grain layer and is usually considered the highest quality grade.

What is embossed leather?

Leather with a texture or pattern pressed into the surface by the tannery. See leather textures, including embossed grains.