I have been searching for a budget-friendly way to line my projects. While I enjoy lambskin and suede, some of my more rugged projects demand equally rugged leather. Pigskin has become my leather of choice in these conditions, as it offers everything I am looking for in a liner and more.
Pig leather is made from the skin of a pig. It is thinner, soft, and more flexible than most cow leathers yet also strong due to the dense fibers. Pig leather is porous, with distinct dimples that help the material breathe. It costs $1–$5 per square foot, making it a solid budget leather choice.
With a wide variety of leather choices available, let us look at pig leather and how it stands out from the crowd by exploring when and how to use it.
What Is Pig Leather?
Pig leather is the harvested skin of a pig that has been processed and tanned to create leather. While thinner than cow leather, pig leather offers a more durable, wear-resistant material due to its dense fibers. Additionally, pig leather is porous, soft, and flexible.
With this unique combination of characteristics, pig leather is ideal for heavy-use interiors or light garments, such as gloves or sneakers. Its breathability also makes it a preferred choice for items requiring ventilation, such as linings and insoles.
What We’ll Explore
- Clearing up Myths & Misconceptions
- History of Pig Leather
- Pig Leather Characteristics Quick Reference Table
- In-depth Characteristics of Pig Leather
- Pros of Pig Leather
- Cons of Pig Leather
- How Pig Leather is Made
- Production Stats for Pig Leather
- Cost of Pig Leather
- When You Might Leathercraft with Pig Leather
- Tips for Leathercrafting With Pig Leather
- Examples of Goods Made from Pig Leather
- My Personal Research on Pig Leather
- Pig Leather Care & Maintenance
- Helpful Insights on Pig Leather
- Key Takeaways
Clearing Up Myths & Misconceptions
Due to its dimpled surface, pig leather is often mistaken for fake leather. However, pig leather, like any other animal leather, is real. The dimples come from the animal’s pores; despite being larger than most, they are natural.
Separating it from artificial leather can be difficult for those inexperienced with pigskin leather. The key difference is the softness and breathability. Pig leather will not be as rigid as synthetic leather and, despite being dense, will feel light and airy.
History of Pig Leather
Despite boars being hunted throughout history and pigs becoming domesticated around 8500 BC, pig leather only began production in 1852. It was discovered to be an alternative to goat leather, offering similar qualities but at a much lower price.
Pig leather began to be explored in the garment industry, where it was used to make shoes, wallets, and gloves. Today, pig leather’s uses remain largely the same, but production has increased. Pig leather is now the fourth most produced leather in the world and is commonly used as casual fashion leather.
Pig Leather Characteristics Quick Reference Table
| Characteristic | Rating |
| Natural or Synthetic | Natural |
| Surface Texture | Smooth with dimples packed in threes |
| Available Thickness (oz/mm) | 1oz (.4mm) to 2oz (.8mm) |
| Largest Workable Size | 25 square feet |
| Flexibility (1–10) | 9 |
| Softness (1–10) | 7 |
| Sewability (1–10) | 5 |
| Durability (1–10) | 8 |
| Ease of Maintenance (1–10) | 7 |
| How Long it Lasts (Daily Use) | 20–25 years |
| Available Colors | Any |
| Waterproofness (1–10) | 4 |
| Cost per Square Foot ($) | $1–$5 |
| Ease of Crafting (1–10) | 6 |
| Rarity (Common or Exotic) | Common |
| Annual Production Volume | Around 900 million square feet |
| Biggest Exporting Country | China |
| Biggest Importing Country | Vietnam |
In-depth Characteristics of Pig Leather
Natural or Synthetic
While pig leather is a natural material that can be found without any added coatings, many tanneries that make it correct the grain of the leather. This addition makes the topcoat of the leather artificial, but the leather itself will still be natural underneath.
Surface Texture
A distinct part of pig leather is the surface texture. While smooth, like goat or calf leather, the surface of pig leather also has dimples covering the entire hide. These dimples are pores from the animal and are usually packed in threes. Tanneries may often cover the dimples to create a smoother texture overall.
Available Thickness
Pig leather is a thin hide commonly found in sizes 2oz (.8mm) and below. While this can limit the available uses for pig leather alone, it allows the leather to be much more flexible, adding to the overall softness of the material. Despite being thin, pigskin is durable and wear-resistant.
Largest Workable Size
One of the largest differences between calf, goat, and pig leather is the available sizes for pig leather. Pig leather can be found up to 25 square feet, almost twice the size of similar leathers. The additional size makes it a solid choice for garments or lining large bags.
Flexibility
A key characteristic of pig leather is its flexibility. Largely due to its thickness and tanning methods, pig skin is extremely flexible. Some of the earliest uses for this leather were bookbinding, where thickness and flexibility were needed. Today, we see pigskin in garments that allow for complete freedom of movement.
Softness
Pig leather is a popular soft leather but can fall short compared to goat leather. Pig leather has a slightly looser grain that can be felt; however, it is still softer than most leathers. It has a buttery texture, broken up by dimples along the surface. The back area of the leather will have the softest and tightest feeling grain.
Sewability
Sewing pig leather is a very middling experience. The thin leather will make punching holes and pulling needles through easy. However, the stretchy nature of the skin can cause the leather to pucker and fold when trying to tighten the thread. Once tension is dialed in, pig leather will not provide any additional problems.
Durability
Although thin, pigskin is one of the most durable leathers available. It is stretchy, giving the leather excellent tensile strength. In addition, it is abrasion and wear-resistant. Perhaps the most interesting characteristic of pig leather is its ability to be soaked in water without stiffening like other leathers.
Ease of Maintenance
Pig leather is a hard-wearing material that can withstand a lot of use without requiring much maintenance. It is scratch-resistant, keeping it looking nice throughout use. Although not water-resistant, pig leather will not stiffen when wet, preventing structural damage. Like other leathers, pig leather will need to be conditioned periodically to prevent it from drying out.
Lifespan with Daily Use
While pig leather may last a lifetime when properly maintained, the thin nature of the leather may cause it to wear within 20–25 years. Pig leather will benefit most from being used as an interior or with multiple layers. The leather is highly durable, with the thickness being its point of failure.
Available Colors
Pig leather can be tanned in various colors and textures added to the surface. Pig suede is commonly found on many sneakers, while smoother textures are used in garment pieces. The wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures make for a versatile leather that is not limited by design.
Waterproofness
Due to the pores on pig leather’s surface, it is one of the least waterproof leathers available. Water will quickly soak into the leather through these pores and will not bead off unless an additional finishing surface is added.
However, unlike other leathers, water damage is limited in pig skin. The surface may change color, and the leather may dry, requiring conditioning, like all leathers. The difference is the leather will not harden, ensuring the leather’s structure remains the same. This key characteristic is the difference between a destroyed and damaged leather item.
Cost
An appealing aspect of purchasing pig leather is the price. Pig leather is one of the most affordable types of leather available, often being only $1 per square foot. As the quality increases, the pig leather may rise in cost to around $5 per square foot. Remaining more affordable than leathers used for similar projects.
Ease of Crafting
The biggest benefit of working with pig leather is its thinness. This helps with cutting and punching, allowing tools like shears or craft knives to cut curved shapes. Where pig leather becomes more difficult to work with is sewing. The leather is extremely supple and wants to bend or pucker as the thread becomes tense.
Rarity (Common or Exotic)
Pig leather is common, being the fourth most produced type of leather in the world. Pig leather makes up nearly 8% of all leather produced annually, around 900 million square feet. This leather can be found easily at various leather stores and throughout the clothing and shoe industry.
Pros of Pig Leather
Pig leather offers several advantages, making it an attractive option for various applications. Here are the main benefits of choosing pig leather:
- Affordability: Pig leather is cost-effective, typically priced at half the cost of calf or goat leather, around $5 per square foot.
- Hard-Wearing Characteristics: It has excellent tensile strength and abrasion resistance, requiring less maintenance.
- Versatility: Pig leather has similar uses to calf or goat leather.
- Flexibility and Softness: Its flexibility and softness make it ideal for garments or linings.
While thinner than cow leather, pig leather offers a more durable, wear-resistant material due to its dense fibers.
Cons of Pig Leather
Pig leather is thin, which can limit its uses when working with it alone. While supple, this requires additional structural material when crafting with pig leather. The leather’s surface has a distinct dimple pattern that may not be for everyone, as it may look artificial. These pores on the surface also allow water to soak into the leather quickly rather than repel it.
As a result, pig leather is one of the least waterproof leathers and will quickly discolor when exposed to liquids. A unique problem with pigskin is the lack of representation, which confuses many.
Mohd Hafrizal Azmi, Fakhrul Zaman Rokhani, Raja Syamsul Azmir Raja Abdullah, and M. Iqbal Saripan, from the Department of Computer and Communication Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Selangor, Malaysia, has noted this issue as companies often refer to any leather as “genuine leather.” Since pigskin is sacred in various cultures, they note the inability to tell leathers apart online.
While pig leather does have a distinct texture, light often makes it difficult to see. As a result, they have developed a method to further the contrast in the dimples, allowing the leather to be recognized more easily.
How Pig Leather is Made
Making pig leather involves several key steps, from the initial harvesting of the skin to the final finishing touches. Here’s a detailed look at how pig leather is produced:
- Harvesting and Salting: The skin is harvested by the meat industry, then salted and shipped to the tanneries.
- Cleaning and Scraping: At the tannery, the skins are cleaned and scraped to remove hair and other impurities before processing them.
- Tanning: The leather is added to a large drum with various tanning chemicals, such as chromium salts or vegetable tannins, to preserve the skin.
- Stretching and Drying: The leather is stretched and dried, often being repeatedly added to various drums that may also introduce color.
- Finishing: A finished piece of pig leather may receive an additional coating sprayed onto the surface to improve its durability and appearance.
Production Statistics of Pig Leather
- Volume per year: Around 900 million square feet
- Key country or countries where it is produced: China and Mexico
- Biggest exporting country: China
- Biggest importing country: Vietnam
Cost of Pig Leather
- Square Foot: $3–$8 per square foot
- ½ Hide: $20–$80
- Full Hide: $40–$160
When You Might Leathercraft With Pig Leather
- When needing a durable lining material
- When crafting a project that requires flexible leather
- When making garments that need to be breathable
- When creating items that require a textured or grainy appearance
- When crafting items that need to resist stretching over time
- When making accessories or items that benefit from pig leather’s natural water resistance
In this helpful video provided by Weaver Leather Supply, Chuck Dorsett shares how to line a leather project, explaining the benefits of pig leather and how to apply it properly.
Tips for Leathercrafting With Pig Leather
- Use a sharp blade or shears to reduce the amount of stretching when cutting the material.
- When sewing the leather, do not over-tighten the thread.
- Adhere the pig leather to additional material to give it more body.
- Apply a leather wax or conditioner to maintain its texture and durability over time.
- Test dye or finish on a small, inconspicuous area to confirm the desired color or effect.
- Store pig leather items in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and drying out over time.
Some Examples of Items Made From Pig Leather
- Gloves
- Shoes
- Wallets
- Garments
- Belts
- Handbags
- Phone cases
- Watch straps
My Personal Research on Pig Leather
After reading information on how pig leather reacted to water, I wanted to give it a shot. Before this, I wore sneakers with pig suede leather accents. From my experience, I recall the shoes getting discolored and the nap becoming ruined.
The shoes did get stiffer, but I am unsure if it was the leather or the sneakers themselves. For this test, I will soak a piece of pig leather in water and leave it to dry overnight, noting the changes that have occurred.
Soaking the Pig Leather
To soak the pig leather, I filled a small container with water and submerged it. While I have done this many times, I typically fought the leather to stay down for a few seconds as the air escaped. Pig leather was different. It immediately began to bubble, but water saturated the skin fast enough to hold it in place as I pushed it down.
Color
As expected, as soon as the leather began to soak in water, its color darkened. This persisted throughout the leather’s entire drying time. Once dried, most of the color had reverted to its original shade, but there were wet spots across the surface.
Dryness
Although the leather had been soaked in the water, there was no noticeable dryness. Overall, the leather remained smooth, with no grain showing signs of dryness. However, I would still recommend adding conditioner to pig leather if it’s exposed to water, as problems may be underneath the surface.
Stiffness
I was most interested in how the leather changed structurally when wet. To my surprise, it felt unchanged. It did not feel rougher, nor did any visible fibers look hardened. However, as I stretched the leather, it took additional time to return; this could be from some moisture being left in the leather.
Conclusion
While pig leather soaks up water much faster than others, the changes caused by the water are much less severe. The leather itself will become damaged, and the change in its appearance is enough to warrant protecting it. However, since the leather does not lose any structure nor become stiff if its appearance does not matter, it is the perfect choice for hard-wear use.
Pig Leather Care and Maintenance
How to Clean Pig Leather
Cleaning pig leather should be done using a horsehair brush to remove all dust and debris thoroughly. Avoid using water as pig leather can quickly become saturated and may lose its shape or texture. Instead, use a dry cloth to gently blot any spills or stains immediately. For tougher stains, a damp rag with a small amount of leather cleaner or mild soap specifically formulated for leather can be used sparingly.
When it comes to cleaning leather, it’s important to test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather first to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration. After cleaning, allow the leather to air dry naturally away from direct heat sources or sunlight, and finish with a suitable leather conditioner to restore moisture and suppleness.
How to Condition Pig Leather
Leather conditioner helps to nourish the leather fibers, keeping them soft and preventing cracking over time. When conditioning pig leather, apply a small amount of conditioner to a clean cloth and rub throughout the leather’s surface. Pig leather may require less conditioner than others, as the porous surface allows it to penetrate more easily. Leather conditioner helps to nourish the leather fibers, keeping them soft and preventing cracking over time.
How to Store Pig Leather
Like all other leathers, pig leather should be stored away from direct sunlight and water in a cool environment to prevent drying out. Leather should also be placed in a dust bag to protect the surface when possible. Additionally, storing leather items flat or loosely rolled helps maintain their shape and prevents creasing. Regularly inspect stored leather for any signs of mold or mildew, especially in humid climates, and address any issues promptly to preserve the leather’s quality.
Helpful Insights on Pig Leather
Does Adidas use pig leather?
While many Adidas products avoid using pig leather, a few exceptions contain suede pig leather. Their Samba OG shoes have this leather upper, similar to other shoe brands such as Vans.
How can you tell pig leather?
The easiest and best way to identify pig leather is to look for the dimples on the leather surface. These dimples will be in clusters of threes and have a slight depression in the leather. When possible, looking at the flesh side of the leather may also reveal these pores.
Does Louis Vuitton use pig skin?
While some luxury brands may occasionally use exotic leathers or materials like pigskin for specific products, it’s less common for brands like Louis Vuitton, which focuses heavily on traditional luxury materials like cowhide.
Key Takeaways
- Pig leather is thin, durable, soft, and flexible, making it an ideal choice for various leather goods, such as gloves, shoes, wallets, and lightweight garments.
- The pores on the surface of the pig leather make it easy for water to saturate it, requiring careful handling to avoid overexposure to moisture, which can affect its texture and appearance over time.
- Pig leather makes a great budget alternative to goat skin as it offers similar qualities at a lower price.
In Closing
While pig leather may not seem like the most luxurious choice, it is actually very comparable to goat leather. Offering most of the same characteristics while providing a more durable material. Pig leather will always have a place in my workshop as a durable budget liner.