Everything you need to know about Nappa leather
Nappa leather is crafted from carefully selected hides, typically sourced from young animals such as kids, calves, cows, or lambs. The finest quality nappa leather often comes from full-grain leather, which is considered the softest and most durable part of the hide.
This type of leather is made from the outer layer of the hide, which can sometimes have slight imperfections or blemishes. However, at GORAL we only use the top-grain leather, which ensures a refined finish, making it a premium material with a smooth texture and long-lasting quality. This is just one of the many reasons why our Mellor II in white Nappa leather has been a best-seller for years.
There are three main steps involved in producing leather: preparing the hide, tanning the leather, and finishing it.
The tanning process is what gives Nappa leather its signature softness, smoothness, and durability. During tanning, chromium is used, which play a key role in achieving the leather’s soft texture.
Dyeing Nappa leather is done with water-soluble dyes, which not only help maintain the colour for longer but also make the leather easier to clean.
Leather tanning can involve up to 25 steps and may take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the process. However, Nappa leather tanning is relatively quick, typically taking only a few days using the Chromium process. This method produces leather that’s not only soft and flexible but also durable. Plus, it helps the water-soluble dyes bond better, ensuring rich, long-lasting colour.
How to clean nappa leather?
When it comes to cleaning Nappa leather, we turn to our expert and Head of QC at GORAL, Kamila. Kamila is the driving force behind our Restore and Rebuild service and has spent years expertly maintaining and cleaning many pairs of Mellor II white Nappa leather, so she knows exactly what works.
For minor scratches, Kamila swears by Scratch Doctor. This product is fantastic because it doesn't just cover up the scratch; it builds into the damaged area and seals it, filling it in completely. This method is much more effective than dyeing the leather, which can easily rub off over time.
For deeper scratches or more serious scuffs, Kamila recommends using Intercom Elastic Glue. This water-based adhesive works well to temporarily bond and seal the leather, ensuring a smoother surface. After the glue has done its job, she returns to Scratch Doctor to finish the filling process, leaving the leather looking as good as new.
For general cleaning and maintenance, we highly recommend our Saphir range. This premium line is specially designed for high-quality leather and works wonders in maintaining Nappa leather’s soft texture while keeping it in top shape for years.
So, whether you’re dealing with everyday wear or a pesky scratch, Kamila’s expert tips and our carefully selected products will help keep your Nappa leather looking its best.
You can watch Kamila explain the process in further detail with Nick from Stridewise below.
On the left is the shoe after Kamila has worked her magic and on the right is the shoe untouched sent to us for the Rebuild+ service