When you want to buy leather, you are spoilt for choice. It is not easy to pick the one that best suits your needs because there are more than enough options at your disposal. One of your best options is aniline leather. But what is aniline leather?

It is not exactly a leather type but a finishing of the best leather grade. It is a high-quality end product of leather. Aniline leather is usually made from the top part of the hide after it has been dyed with soluble dyes.

The dye does not contain any pigment or coloring. That is how this dye is able to preserve the markings, wrinkles, scars, and natural grain of the hide. However, you have to use the cleanest and purest hides to craft high-quality aniline leather.

There are various ways to identify whether the product that you are buying is truly aniline leather:

1. Feel the leather - You should feel whether the product is soft and buttery.
2. Scratch - You should scratch on the product lightly and see whether it leaves a scratch mark that happens to be lighter than the color of the leather. Aniline leather leaves behind such a light scratch.
3. The water test - With this test, you wet your finger and rub it on the leather lightly. For aniline, the leather should darken slightly.

You should clean aniline leather with its designated cleaning product. This removes dirt and body oils from its surface. Apply a protective leather product to slow down fading and prevent staining. To prevent the leather from drying out or cracking, keep it moisturized.

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The main reason products made from aniline leather are some of my favorites is their high-quality and good appearance. When aniline leather comes in contact with the skin, it absorbs body oils and gradually develops a patina. There is no extra processing or additional coating on aniline leather, making it soft and supple.

The main downside of aniline leather is that it sells for a hefty price. You will also find that it needs regular care because it can easily stain. Additionally, the leather must be conditioned to avoid drying out because it easily fades in direct sunlight.

Closely related to aniline leather is corrected leather. The tanned hide is sprayed with a top coat of pigment for corrected leather. Just like aniline, corrected leather is supple, good-looking, and durable. However, it lacks the natural beauty of aniline leather and does not develop a patina. It is low-maintenance and less costly.

With its numerous desirable characteristics, vegetable-tanned leather is a leather option for a discerning leather buyer who does not want to spend a fortune on aniline leather products. It is the sturdiest leather and is used for products like holsters and saddles.

So, what do you think about aniline leather? Does it sound like it is to your liking? I came up with this aniline leather guide because this is my favorite type of leather, and I wanted to help you know more about this pure form of leather. Instead of just buying any leather product, I prefer to get the best leather.