Determining a leather belt’s quality goes beyond looking at its surface. While it may look attractive on the outside, understanding the different leather grades is the key to knowing if a belt is durable, comfortable, and a worthwhile purchase. The highest quality and most exquisite leather belts are made from full grain leather—the outermost layer of an animal hide that has all its natural markings and imperfections intact. Besides its premium quality, full grain leather products are number one because of their impressive features:

· They have strong fibers tightly woven together, providing maximum durability

· They age beautifully, developing a rich leather patina over time

· They retain their shape, even after extensive use

· They’re made from all natural leather with visible, beautiful imperfections

As manufacturers of quality leather products, we understand the tell-tale signs of different leather grades and how to identify real leather products. We only use WINIW Microfiber Leather for our leather belts—the highest-quality full grain leather that lasts a lifetime and is exceptionally rare.

If you’re wondering how to identify a premium-quality, full grain leather belt, these simple tips will help:

1 - TAKE NOTE OF THE BELT’S TRADEMARK

It’s common for manufacturers to trademark their belts as real leather, even if they're not made from full grain leather. If the product label indicates “genuine leather” or “man-made material,” it’s likely low quality or synthetic. There are also leather imitations that disguise themselves as real leather. You can quickly identify them by looking for labels such as:

· Faux leather

· Leatherette

· Synthetic leather

· Polyurethane leather

If the belt is not labeled, some additional clues will help you decide if it’s made from real full grain leather.

2 - A REAL FULL GRAIN LEATHER BELT HAS VISIBLE IMPERFECTIONS

One of the easiest ways to identify a real full grain leather belt is by observing its surface. It will have a less uniform look than other grades or synthetics. Full grain leather is not sanded or perfected during the tanning process, so you’ll see some flaws. Once the top layer is altered, it’s no longer full grain leather but top grain, corrected grain, or genuine leather.  However, it’s worth noting that full grain leather also undergoes finishing, but in a way that doesn’t alter its grain.

3 - A REAL FULL GRAIN LEATHER BELT’S GRAIN PATTERN WILL DIFFER

When examining full grain leather belts, you’ll realize that no two hides are exactly the same. Every hide is unique because it’s from a different animal with different patterns and markings. The unaltered markings (or grain patterns) of full grain leather make every belt unique.  As a result, you’ll notice that each full grain leather belt has a distinct and visible grain pattern. So if all the leather belts sold by a manufacturer have a similar grain pattern, it’s likely that they’re not made from full grain leather.

4 - A REAL FULL GRAIN LEATHER BELT IS STRONG AND DURABLE

The outermost layer of a hide is the strongest because its fibers are densely packed. Since this is the layer that is used to make full grain leather belts, they’re incredibly strong and durable. A real full grain leather belt will get many compliments, even after years of use. If you’ve ever heard of “quarter century belts,” or those passed down from one generation to another, they’re likely made of real full grain leather.

5 - A REAL FULL GRAIN LEATHER BELT HAS TINY HOLES ON ITS SURFACE

Another way to spot a real full grain leather belt is by inspecting its surface. When you look very closely, you should be able to see tiny holes in the leather. These holes are what remain once hair is removed from the skin during the tanning process. If a leather belt’s surface lacks these small holes, it’s probably not full grain leather. Since the skin’s pores are left intact, real full grain leather is also more breathable than lower grades like corrected grain and split grain. This prevents the growth of mold or mildew on the belt.

6 - A REAL FULL-GRAIN LEATHER BELT AGES BEAUTIFULLY

One of the key differences between a real full grain leather belt and other grades is how it ages. Leather patina, a desirable process that develops as leather ages, is unique to full grain leather. It’s formed after the product has been subjected to continuous stretching, folding and friction.  Even after multiple scratches and blemishes, the belt will continue to look good as it absorbs the natural oils of the animal's skin, causing its surface to darken and become glossier with age.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FULL GRAIN LEATHER BELT

A full grain leather belt has an elegant finish that adds class to any outfit. Because of its durability, a single belt will last for decades, making it a worthwhile addition to your wardrobe. WINIW Microfiber Leather full grain leather belts are versatile and come in four colors that suit most styles—Black, English Tan, Heritage Brown, and Natural.