by Monique Youzwa
Monique has been a full-time freelance writer for over 5 years, plus has a few fiction credits under her belt and is currently working on a novel. When not writing, she spends her time reading, playing video games, hiking, and camping with her husband and daughter.
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When most people start looking for a leather jacket, they likely consider the style before anything else. Some people aren’t aware that there are different types of leather to choose from. One often forgotten option is sheepskin leather, despite this material’s amazing comfort and performance. Let’s take a look at what sheepskin leather has to offer.
What is Sheepskin Leather?
Sheepskin leather is created using the hide of a sheep. The sheep are usually more mature animals, unlike shearling, which is taken from the hide of a lamb. It is similar to sheep leather, though sheepskin has the wool still attached to the hide while sheep leather is the hide with the wool removed.
How is Sheepskin Leather Made?
Sheepskin is made using a special tanning process that maintains the wool on one side while creating leather on the other side. This process alters the protein structure of the sheepskin for increased durability and a longer-lasting coat, plus it makes it easier to dye for varying colors. When used for a coat, sheepskin leather will have the soft fleecy material on the inside for warmth, with a supple leather exterior that looks fantastic.
How to Identify Sheepskin Leather
If you’ve never encountered sheepskin leather, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, it is easy to identify sheepskin leather due to its unique characteristics. First of all, a sheepskin leather coat will have that fuzzy interior and leather exterior, which is quite distinctive. If the tanning process is done correctly, there will also be no scent left on the coat.
The grain of a sheepskin leather product will be quite small and fine, which makes the garment much lighter, thinner, and silky smooth. Despite its softness, this material is still extremely durable and can last for years, as long as it is taken care of.
Sheepskin vs Other Leather Types
With so many different types of leather available, it may be hard to determine which one is the right one for you. They all have benefits and flaws, so let’s take a look at how sheepskin leather compares to cow, lamb, or goat leather garments.
Advantages of Sheepskin Leather
One of the main reasons that people choose sheepskin leather, as well as lamb or goat leather, is due to its incredibly soft, smooth texture that feels fantastic against your skin. This material also has hollow fibers, which makes these coats breathable, yet warm. They are great for all seasons, keeping you warm when the weather is cold, and cool during the summer months.
Light weight sheepskin leather is flame-retardant, so you won’t have to worry about it getting burned when hanging out at a bonfire. The lanolin in the material even has anti-bacterial and healing properties, so it soothes inflamed or sensitive skin, plus it is self-cleaning.
Disadvantages of Sheepskin Leather
The biggest disadvantage of sheepskin leather is due to some of the characteristics we’ve mentioned above, including its thin, light texture. This makes it much less durable than any other leather type, so you need to take extra-special care of it. It also doesn’t offer much insulation, so won’t do well in extremely cold temperatures.
Sheepskin leather is quite stretchy, which allows it to move with you, though it can also lose its shape over time, resulting in a saggy garment that may lose its appeal. It is more prone to tears and stains, plus it can be tricky to clean since those soft fibers can absorb all kinds of dust, dirt, and moisture. You can’t wash or dry clean sheepskin leather either.
If price is a concern, sheepskin may not be the best choice since it is the most expensive type of leather around. For those on a budget, there are cheaper options to help save a bit of money.
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Why Should You Choose a Sheepskin Leather Jacket?
Sheepskin leather jackets are breathable, warm, and comfortable, with a soft, luxurious feel that is one of a kind. They also look fantastic, with a unique appearance, plus they are light enough that they won’t weigh you down, even when layered over other pieces. Though they aren’t fully waterproof, these jackets do repel some moisture, so you can even wear them briefly in damp weather without worrying about any resulting damage or odor.
Final Thoughts
Sheepskin leather is high-quality material with a distinctive look and feel that offers a mix of comfort and luxury. It offers a variety of advantages that far outweigh the disadvantages, making it a great choice for those looking for a unique jacket for all seasons. If you liked our sheepskin leather article, please feel free to comment below, and don’t forget to share it with your friends.
