Goatskin Vs. Bison Leather

Sources and Background Information

• Goatskin is the term used to refer to leather or tanned hides made from a goat. This leather is thin and supple, and many goatskins today are produced in North and South America. Bison leather is made from what many Americans refer to as "buffalo," and was used by generations of Native Americans for both clothing and shelter. Bison leather is produced almost exclusively in North America.

Price

• It is difficult to compare the price between goatskin and bison leather, as they are not always used to create the same sorts of leather goods. Therefore, the two types of leather are subjected to different tanning processes. However, one area of overlap is luxury wallets. For example, at Nordstrom in 2011, a Marc Jacobs goatskin wallet retailed for $375, while a Burberry bison wallet retailed for $550.

Uses

• Goatskin is most often used for making drums, rugs, wineskins and gloves. In fact, the "kid" in kid gloves refers to the age of the goats used to produce them. By contrast, leather made from bison is used in a wider array of consumer products. Among these are shoes, luggage/handbags, stair runners, bomber jackets, wallets, upholstery, apparel, and rugs, when the hair is left on the hide.

Durability

• According to The Buffalo Collection at Scenic Mesa, bison produces a form of leather that is one of the strongest and most durable materials for upholstery. It is also flame resistant. In contrast, kid leather and goatskin are thinner because they come from smaller animals. This results in a more supple, if less durable, final product.