Leather can be produced from the hide of nearly all animals including cow, sheep, goats, pigs, and even crocodiles. Although the most common hide to make leather products is cowhide, the popularity of sheep leather and lamb leather has grown immensely in the past couple of years because of the added softness and smooth texture they bring to the table. Below is a quick look at the key differences between cow leather and lamb leather which should prove helpful in helping you understand which type would suit your needs in the best way.

Differences between Cow Leather and Lamb Leather

Cowhide is available in abundance all over the world due to the consumption of beef. As a result, cowhide is much more affordable when compared to other types of animal hides used to make leather products. That is why around 65% to 70% of the leather products found around the world feature cowhide, be it leather jackets, motorbike leather suits, belts, or upholstery.

Lamb leather is made from sheepskin that does not contain any fur. It is generally processed after the fleece or fur is removed from the sheepskin to make wool. As it offers an added warmth and softness to the product, lamb leather is a common choice for making winter clothing such as gloves, caps, and jackets. 

Softness and Feel

In general, the processing and tanning method of leather determines how soft and flexible the final product will be. Cowhide is comparatively more rough than lamb leather and has the ability to retain its shape when it is used to make leather jackets,motorbike leather suits wallets or handbags. At the same time, you can see many different types of clothing items made from cow leather in the market today as well.

On the contrary, lamb leather features a more velvety and delicate texture, which is why it is mostly suited to premium quality garment making. Additionally, lamb leather can become even more soft and smoother over time.

Comfort Level

It is the weight of leather used to make the product, which determines how comfortable it will be. Generally, the thinner and lighter the material, the more elastic and supple the final garment would be. Cow leather is naturally heavier and tougher than lamb leather and it tends to blend with the shape of the person’s body wearing the clothing. So the more often you use cow leather garments, the more comfortable it will eventually become. That is why cowhide is so commonly used to make leather jackets.

Lamb leather, in contrast, is lighter and more supple than cow leather, which makes it extremely comfortable to wear all day long. Lamb leather can also stretch very easily, which is why you often see it used in leather skirts, leather pants, casual jackets, and gloves.

Durability Quotient

The level of durability directly affects the longevity of the leather product. As cowhide is more durable and sturdier than lamb leather, it is less likely to be damaged by usual wear and tear. Moreover, cow leather is resistant to dirt and heat as well, and can last for a very long time retaining all these natural traits. That is why it is preferred to make motorsport apparels.

Even though lamb leather is not as durable as cowhide, it still does fairly well to keep off dirt buildup and heat. However, you need to take good care of lamb leather products, as they are more prone to wear and tear. Lamb leather can get stained easily as well because of its delicate nature.

Versatility

Cow leather can be processed to become as soft and supple as lamb leather, but lamb leather cannot be processed to become as durable and rough as cow leather. This means that cowhide can be used to make all the leather products that are generally made using lamb leather, but it does not go the other way around. In fact, cow leather can be processed to become even more rigid and hard, which is key to manufacturing products like shoes and bags that need to maintain their original shape in every case.

Cowhide is also more resistant to dirt, heat, and moisture buildup when compared to lamb leather. This means that you can wear cow leather garments all day long without having to worry about it being damaged in any way or feeling uncomfortable due to rigid edges. It also means that cow leather requires much less maintenance from your part to keep its original charm intact.

Lamb leather might not be as resistant to dirt, heat, and moisture buildup as cowhide, but it can still outlast any fabric material you can find in the market. That is why it is a great option for fashionable garments like skirts, pants, and jackets. Cow leather is more applicable in terms of physical durability and practicality, but lamb leather can stretch over time and create a more comfortable garment over the lifetime of the product.