Among your collection of leather goods, have you considered adding items made from kangaroo leather to the mix? Well known for being one of the strongest leathers, kangaroo leather is an ideal material for a range of products from fashionable dress shoes to performance and tactical gear. Not only is kangaroo leather versatile, it’s also a sustainable and ethical choice, offering you and your customers peace of mind. Understanding what makes kangaroo leather special should help you understand whether it is a good fit for your project.
What is Kangaroo Leather?
As the name suggests, kangaroo leather, sometimes referred to as k-leather, is a type of leather made from the hide of kangaroos, native to Australia. K-leather is known for its strength, durability and flexibility, making it a popular choice for various products across industries, such as shoes, boots, gloves and other leather goods. Historically, has been a top choice for high performance athletic footwear like cleats, but it also has broader product application on sneakers, boots, wallets, sheaths, holsters, grips, linings, and other small leather goods.
Leather making is nothing new (it’s an art that’s been around for more than 7,000 years), but the materials used for leather making vary greatly. In regards to kangaroo leather, Indigenous Australians have a long history of using kangaroo hides for various purposes, such as cloaks, loincloths, and bags. Kangaroo sinew was used for sewing and binding when creating these goods.
It comes as no surprise that this eventually transitioned into the usage of kangaroo leather for commercial purposes. Initially, kangaroo leather was primarily used for utilitarian purposes, such as making whips, harnesses and saddles due to its strength and durability. For these same reasons, kangaroo leather gained popularity within the sporting goods industry, particularly for the manufacturing of cleats and other athletic equipment.
In fact, kangaroo leather is most famous for being the pound-for-pound strongest leather available at any given thickness. Due to its highly organized skin fibers supported by a secondary mesh layer, low angle of weave, low fat content and thin grain layer, kangaroo leather can be made thin and supple without tearing.
However, just like other leather products, concerns over kangaroo populations led to the implementation of strict regulations and harvesting quotas to ensure sustainability and ethical treatment. Throughout Australia, kangaroos are ethically harvested by licensed hunters in accordance with the National Code of Practice, which is informed by current scientific understanding of kangaroo behavior and ecology, ensuring humane treatment throughout the process. This policy requires hunters to undergo regular testing every five years to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards.
From a sustainability standpoint, kangaroos are abundant in Australia (even, overly abundant in some areas). As a result, the kangaroos harvest is a method of population control, protecting the ecosystems and human interests where the kangaroos are overrun. Among the regulations of kangaroo harvesting, only four are allowed to be hunted since they have the largest populations: red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, western grey kangaroos, and wallaroos.
Properties and Characteristics of Kangaroo Leather
As mentioned, kangaroo leather’s main claim to fame is that it is one of the strongest leathers at any given thickness, meaning it can remain very durable while feeling soft and supple. Typically, kangaroo leather is somewhat triangular in shape with the approximate following dimensions:
- Three feet long on all three sides of the triangle shape
- Ranges from 3-9 sq ft per hide, averaging 5-6 sq ft each
- Ranges from 0.6-1.4 mm thickness. However, the kangaroo that PanAm Leathers stocks is mostly 0.7-0.9 mm thick.
Kangaroos are harvested from the wild versus farmed, so the quality ranges substantially. Since kangaroo leather is primarily used for footwear, PanAm Leathers assesses the quality of kangaroo hides based on the number of total boot vamp or shoe upper sets that each hide yields:
- Grade 1: At least three full sets and no defects on a center triangle measuring 3.5 feet long on all sides
- Grade 2: At least three full sets
- Grade 3: At least two full sets
- Grade 4: At least one full set
- Grade 5: At least ½ set
There are very few hides with holes in any grade. Common defects include scratches, scars and scrapes. The vast majority of kangaroo hides are grades 3-4 with some grade 5. There is very little grade 1 and 2 available. Since kangaroo hides rarely have holes, almost any grade can be used for products that don’t require a flawless surface or perhaps for an intentional look of wear and tear.
Applications and Uses
Kangaroo leather's unique properties contribute to the overall performance and durability. As such, you’ll be able to find kangaroo leather across a wide range of industries and products. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways kangaroo leather is used.
Footwear
Due to its strong and flexible nature, you’ll often find kangaroo leather used to make footwear. From cleats to dress shoes and cowboy boots, kangaroo leather is a versatile material that can be implemented in all kinds of shoe styles. It's one of the strongest lightweight leathers available, making it ideal for footwear that needs to endure high levels of wear and tear.
It’s common to use high-grade kangaroo leather for the exterior of shoes, due to the aesthetic appearance and durability. On the other hand, the lower grades won’t go to waste as these are frequently used for interiors.
Fashion and Accessories
As we keep mentioning, K-leather is very soft and strong, which is a special combination. This makes it ideal for products that get daily use, like wallets, watchbands, handbags and even garments like jackets and pants. The better grades are typically used for the exteriors of these products while the lower grades can be used for linings and trim.
Performance Gear
Kangaroo leather is highly valued for performance gear across various industries due to its unique combination of strength, flexibility, and durability. Among its long list of applications, k-leather is commonly used for the upper construction of cleats. Not only is this material lightweight and breathable, but it provides players with excellent agility while being tough enough for a snug fit during high-intensity movement.
Beyond athletic footwear, you’ll find grade 3 or 4 kangaroo leather in various sports equipment, such as boxing and baseball gloves. Once again, the flexibility of this leather means there’s plenty of room for dexterity and movement.
On a similar note, kangaroo leather is used for military, tactical, and hunting gear for these same reasons. Hunting boots and gloves can be created using kangaroo leather, which offers great traction and support while providing a comfortable grip. Further, kangaroo leather is used for sheaths and bow grips, as well as falconry gloves and gauntlets. Additionally, kangaroo leather holsters and belts or pouches provide secure firearm retention and long-lasting performance.
Crafting Tips
Though kangaroo leather is very durable, it’s still a thin material, meaning it requires careful handling when creating leather goods. For this reason, when working with k-leather, craftsmen often rely on sharp, fine-edged tools designed for precision work, including rotary cutters, sharp scissors, thin needles, and strong, fine threads for careful stitching.
It’s important to note that kangaroo leather, like most leathers, is susceptible to damage from moisture, sunlight and heat, so it needs to be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight when not in use. Avoid exposing it to water or harsh chemicals, as this can cause discoloration or damage to the leather.
If you’re interested in using kangaroo leather for performance gear, dress shoes, or small leather goods, then you’ll find everything you need at PanAm Leathers. Interested in learning more about which type of exotic leather is right for your next project? Reach out to our team today and we’ll be happy to discuss all things kangaroo leather with you!
