Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between Togo and Epsom leather. I am here to help clear up any confusion. In this blog post, I’ll talk about some of the key differences in terms of quality, durability, and cost.
So, what is the difference between Togo and Epsom leather?
Togo is a type of cow leather that comes from the backside of the hide. It’s known for its durability and breathability, making it a great choice for fine leather accessories. Togo is considered to be mid-range in terms of quality and price, making it ideal for products that will be handled frequently.
Epsom is also a type of calfskin, but it comes from the belly side of the hide. It’s less durable than Togo, but it is still considered to be of good quality. It has a smooth texture that feels luxurious and rich.
1. Breathability
Togo Leather:
One of the common things Togo Leather is known for is its durability. It offers a great deal of breathability. Meaning, it is relatively easy for air and moisture to pass through the surface of the material.
This feature also makes Togo Leather temperature regulating. This means that any content in this type of leather will have less of a chance to feel too warm.
This makes Togo Leather a good choice for accessories such as wallets and handbags that need to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
I love this feature about Togo Leather because it means that I won’t have to worry about my items getting too warm in the hot summer months.
Epsom Leather:
In comparison, Epsom Leather is not as breathable. The pores on the surface of this material are much smaller than those found in Togo leather, meaning that it is more difficult for air and moisture to pass through.
This means that Epsom Leather will be warmer than Togo Leather in the summer, and will also require extra conditioning to ensure that it remains soft.
However, Epsom Leather has a smooth texture which creates the feeling of luxury and richness. Not to mention that it is a very popular choice for high-end leather products, as well as those meant for luxury brands.
2. Durability And Resistance
Togo Leather:
Togo Leather is known for being very durable. Compared to Epsom, Togo leather is heavier, meaning that it is more difficult to damage. It’s resistant to abrasion, water damage, and color fading.
This means that your Togo Leather products will look newer for longer and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
This makes Togo Leather a popular choice for backpacks and travel bags that need to be able to protect the items inside.
Epsom Leather:
While Epsom leather may not be as heavy when compared to Togo leather, it is durable too and will last for a long time when cared for properly.
It is also resistant to water damage, but not as much against abrasion due to its smooth surface.
However, Epsom leather is known for its luxurious and rich texture which makes it a favorite among high-end brands that want their products to have a luxurious look and feel.
3. The Color
Epsom Leather:
In terms of hue, Epsom leather because it takes color well, most items produced from it have vivid, bright hues. Epsom leather takes color well due to its smooth surface.
This means that they will be able to maintain their color for a long time, even when exposed to water or abrasion.
This is suitable for you if you want bright and vivid colors for your items or if you don’t mind having to condition them regularly.
So the next time you visit any luxury brand’s website or store, you’ll be able to see that most Epsom leather good will have brighter colors.
Togo Leather:
In contrast, Togo leather is a natural tan color that will darken over time as it gets exposed to the elements. This type of leather will take color better than other types like sheepskin and calfskin, but it won’t be as bright as Epsom leather.
Togo Leather is a great choice for accessories that you want to have a more neutral color, such as wallets and handbags.
I find Togo leather to be especially great for small purses because it is durable and will last through my receipts, coins, cards, etc. without getting too beat up.
So the next time you visit an accessory store, such as a leather goods store or even websites like Etsy, you’ll notice that most of the Togo Leather items have a more neutral color.
I think the contrast between these two types of leather is great because it gives you so many choices for what your style is.
4. The Feel
Epsom Leather:
Epsom leather is a very dry-feeling leather and the interesting part is that its surface has a shine. This makes it feel smooth and soft, but not in the same way that most animal skin types do.
The way Epsom leather feels is indeed different and it is one of the things you can use to tell it apart from other types of leather.
It’s possible that you have experienced the feeling of Epsom leather without even knowing what type it was.
Togo Leather:
Togo leather, on the other hand, is usually matte with a feel of larger grains on its surface. Togo leather maintains the traditional feel of leather in the sense that it has a “tight” feeling.
This is why I think Togo leather makes for great bags because it has this tight, sturdy feeling to it bumps that also gives it a nice solid grip.
Due to the grainy nature of its surface scratches that may occur during use may not be visible to the naked eye.
So if you’re looking for a leather that is sturdy and will last through regular wear-and-tear, Togo leather is a great choice for you.
5. Structure
Togo Leather
Togo leather is slouchy in nature when it is used to make bags. Due to this feature, Togo leather is often used to make large leather handbags or travel bags that need to hold a lot of items inside it.
This gives the overall structure of Togo leather bags a slouchy and soft feel.
Epsom Leather:
On the other hand, Epsom leather has a tight and structured structure when it is used to make bags.
That’s because this leather is a lot more rigid and stiff which helps it to hold up the shape very well. However, due to its rigidity, it is not able to hold a lot of items inside it.
So if you’re looking for bags that will hold more items, then Epsom leather is not suitable for you. But if you’re looking for bags that will have a structured and firm structure, then Epsom leather is the right choice. So there you have it!
Similarities Between Epsom and Togo Leather
Their Source
Both Togo and Epsom leather are sourced from the same type of animal hide. And that is cowhide or calfskin leather. Thus, they are both considered as types of bovine leather.
Their Quality
The quality of both Togo and Epsom leather is also very similar. They are all durable, sturdy, soft to touch, and have a natural shine.
Their Price
Many people think that Epsom leather is more expensive than Togo or other types of leather. However, that’s not always the case because Epsom leather can be just as affordable if you’re looking for lower quality products or accessories made from this leather
Scratch-Resistance
Both Togo and Epsom leather are highly scratch-resistant. This is because these leathers have a tight structure which naturally protects them from scratches and other types of damage.
So if you’re looking for leathers that are highly scratch-resistant, then Togo and Epsom Leather both make great choices for you.
Their Appearance
Both Togo and Epsom leather maintain a natural shine to it that’s not too bright nor too dull.
Their Durability
Togo and Epsom leather is very durable in terms of the wear and tear that they can go through in the course of regular use.
Their Use
Both Togo and Epsom leather is great for making bags, shoes, belts, and other accessories.
So if you’re looking for leathers that can be used to make bags or shoes, then Togo and Epsom Leather are both great choices for you.
Care And Maintenance
Both are very easy to clean and maintain.
In order to clean Togo and Epsom leather, you can use a gentle or mild soap solution with water. You need to make sure that you let the leather dry naturally so it won’t be damaged.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Togo and Epsom leather is very similar in terms of how they look. But as for their characteristics and use, these two types of leather are quite different.
So if you’re looking for a slouchy bag that will have more room to hold items inside it, Togo leather is a great choice for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for bags that have a sturdy and structured shape, then Epsom leather is the right choice for you.
So there you have it. I hope you have gotten some value from this blog post.