When it comes to choosing the right type of leather, the vast array of leather types available can be overwhelming—even for seasoned leather enthusiasts. One of the most commonly used yet often misunderstood types is split leather. Whether you’re shopping for a new leather jacket or diving deeper into how leather is made, understanding split leather can help you make better-informed decisions about your purchases.

To grasp what split leather really is, it’s essential to start with the animal hide itself. In the leather industry, the raw uncut leather goes through a leather production process where it is divided into multiple layers. The top layer of the hide is where we get full grain leather, the highest quality available. This upper layer retains the natural characteristics of the hide, including imperfections and grain, making it the go-to choice for quality leather goods. Right beneath it lies top grain leather, which is slightly sanded and treated to create a more smooth surface, while still maintaining much of the durability and prestige of a full grain piece.

Further down, we arrive at split leather—the layer separated from the thick layer of the hide once the top layer is removed. Though considered a lower quality compared to full grain leather or top grain leather, split leather products are widely used across the market for their affordability and flexibility. Split leather items are often treated and finished to imitate smooth leather or even transformed into nubuck leather, a type of corrected leather that has a velvet-like feel and a totally uniform surface.

Unlike genuine leather—a broad term that may refer to any real leather including lower grades—split leather specifically refers to the leather split from the lower section of the hide. It should not be confused with bonded leather, which is made by fusing together leather scraps with synthetic materials. While all these terms relate to leather composition, knowing the distinctions can greatly impact your appreciation of leather quality and help you recognize the difference between real leather and composite alternatives when evaluating leather goods.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about split leather, from how it's processed to where it fits in the hierarchy of leather, and why it remains a staple in the leather industry despite being cut from the different layers of an animal hide.

To understand split leather, we need to talk about top-grain leather first. Top-grain leather is a leather that is separated. The split layer is removed and the surface is sanded or buffed down. It is of lesser quality than full-grain leather.

When we talk about split leather, we are referencing a lesser-known quality of leather. Split leather is made from the fibrous area of the cow hide. This area is what is left over from the processing of top-grain leather. When top-grain leather is separated, the bottom part can be split into two more pieces. The middle and flesh split has an artificial grain applied. The artificial grain gives the appearance of a higher quality leather.

Split leather is a lower quality leather, but there are many pros to this leather type.

The main benefit to split leather is that imperfections in the leather will not get seen. These include:

• Fat wrinkles
• Variations in grain
• Larger scars
• Larger imperfections
• Different shade of color on the suede side
• Depth and shading of color

This is a result of the splitting process removing it all entirely and the addition of artificial grain and pigmentation.

Split leather is also the most durable leather due to the finished process. This is why it is used in areas, such as between seat cushions, where durability is key.

On the flip side of its durability, split leather is not breathability. The embossing and application of color agents and top coats remove this ability. As a result, it cannot be used for things where you want some airflow, such as seat surfaces.

Split leather is perfect for usage in things like work gloves and work boots. These are surfaces that are expected to handle wear and tear. In this case, top quality leather would be a waste, but split leather works perfectly. It has a high abrasion resistance and can handle any friction or wearing down. If you are looking for something top quality, it would generally not get used in our favorite leather product - jackets. The only time it would be used is if the manufacturer was looking for a cheap alternative. Be sure to always confirm the type of leather you’re purchasing before investing.

Split leather plays a significant role in the leather industry, offering a versatile and cost-effective option for a wide range of leather goods. While it may not rank alongside full grain leather or top layer hides in terms of leather quality, it still provides value and durability when used appropriately. Through the leather splitting process, the uncut leather is divided into different layers, and the leather split that results becomes the foundation for countless split leather products and split leather items found in stores today.

It’s important to understand that while split leather comes from real leather, it originates from the lower layers of the hide, which are naturally more porous and considered a lower quality than the highest quality full grain leather or top layer hides. Still, with the right finishing techniques—such as embossing or coating—a smooth surface can be achieved, giving split leather a refined look. Some types, like nubuck leather, are created by buffing the outer layer of split leather to resemble the soft feel of suede, enhancing the material's aesthetic appeal.

Compared to genuine leather, which is a broad label that includes many leather types, or bonded leather, which is made from leather fibers glued together, split leather is a more structurally sound material that retains a higher percentage of true leather composition. And although it doesn't come from the highest quality section of the hide, split leather is still a form of real leather—not to be confused with synthetic alternatives.

Understanding the hierarchy of leather types, from full grain leather to bonded leather, helps consumers and artisans alike make informed decisions about leather production and use. Whether you're investing in quality leather jackets, accessories, or furniture, knowing the source and characteristics of your material ensures you get the right balance of durability, appearance, and cost. Ultimately, split leather remains a vital material in the world of leather, offering both practicality and affordability to meet the diverse needs of the market.