Goatskin Leather: Light, Strong and Naturally Pebbled
Goatskin is one of the best all-rounders in the leather world. It is lighter than cowhide, tougher than lambskin, and it has a natural pebbled grain that looks good and hides everyday marks.
Goatskin at a glance
| Comes from | Goats |
|---|---|
| Feel | Soft with a natural pebbled grain |
| Weight | Light to medium |
| Durability | ●●●●● |
| Break-in | Short |
| Best for | Flight jackets, gloves, bags, bookbinding |
| At White Buraq | Yes, see our goatskin jacket |
What is goatskin?
Goatskin is leather tanned from the skin of goats. The skin has a tight, strong fibre structure, so it holds up well even when it is thin. Leather from young goats is called kid or kidskin, and it is prized for fine gloves and shoes. Goatskin has also long been used for bookbinding, where it is sometimes called morocco leather.
How goatskin looks and feels
Goatskin has a distinctive pebbled surface, with small, even bumps across the grain. It feels soft and flexible, with a slightly textured hand, and it breaks in quickly.
Pros and cons
- Pros: strong for its weight, supple, comfortable quickly, textured grain hides light scuffs, good for layering.
- Cons: not as heavy-duty as steerhide or horsehide; the pebbled look is less dressy than smooth lambskin.
What goatskin is best for
Goatskin has a strong military history: the US Navy's G-1 flight jacket was traditionally made in goatskin. Today it is used for flight jackets, casual jackets, gloves, bags and book covers.
How to care for goatskin
Wipe it clean with a soft cloth, condition lightly two or three times a year, and dry it naturally if it gets wet. Its textured grain makes it an easy leather to live with. See our leather care guide.
Goatskin vs lambskin vs cowhide
Lambskin is softer and smoother; cowhide is heavier and tougher. Goatskin sits in the middle, giving you a light jacket with good durability.
Goatskin at White Buraq
We make goatskin styles such as our distressed brown goatskin half-belt jacket, made by hand in our family workshop.
Frequently asked questions
Is goatskin good for a leather jacket?
Yes. It is light, strong and comfortable quickly, and its pebbled grain hides everyday marks.
Is goatskin stronger than lambskin?
Generally yes. Goatskin has a tighter fibre structure, so it resists wear better than lambskin of a similar thickness.
What is kid leather?
Kid or kidskin is leather from young goats. It is very fine and soft and is often used for gloves.
Related leather types
- Lambskin: Lambskin is buttery soft and light, and comfortable from the first day.
- Cowhide: Cowhide is the world's most-used leather: tough, dependable and full of character.
- Horsehide: Horsehide is dense, smooth and incredibly tough.
- Deerskin: Deerskin is one of the softest and most flexible leathers.
Explore all 30 leathers in our leather types guide, see our leather care guide, or contact us for help choosing a jacket.