Top 15 Most Popular Hermès Leathers Every Collector Should Know

(Courtesy of Sotheby's)

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Hermès offers a mind-spinning range of leathers, and when you’re investing in a luxury bag that’s far from cheap, you want to be absolutely certain the leather you’re committing to is the right one for you. 

This comprehensive guide gives you a full look at ten Hermès leather types—their materials, how they’re made, how they feel, how they age, and whether each one actually fits your lifestyle.

Epsom

Pre-loved Hermès Epsom Kelly 25 available on ZenLuxe.

Epsom entered the Hermès lineup in 2004, stepping in to replace Courchevel with a fresh, modern twist. It’s a heat-embossed leather that forms a fine, consistent grain—smooth to the eye, firm to the touch. It locks in pigment with striking clarity, allowing Hermès shades to appear luminous and full of life.

The all-time favorite Epsom is pleasantly durable due to its structured, pressed-grain pattern, which makes it resistant to scratches, scuffs, and water. Avid collectors often note that the leather can appear as sharp decades later as the day it was first purchased, making it an excellent choice for those seeking iconic style without the high maintenance.

Togo

Pre-loved Hermès Togo Birkin available on ZenLuxe.

From the world’s most coveted Birkins to the timeless Kellys, Togo leather stands at the heart of some of Hermès’ finest masterpieces, blending durability, softness, and effortless elegance.

The leather first stepped into the Hermès universe in 1997, named in line with that year’s African theme. Decades later, it still attracts a devoted crowd of collectors who can’t resist a tried-and-true classic that always delivers.

Made from baby calfskin and brought to life through an intensive drumming process, Hermès’ Togo reveals a matte finish with rounded, slightly irregular grains and naturally visible veins that give each piece its own quiet personality. 

The grain has a soft roundness, slightly uneven in the best way, with veins that stand confidently on display. Its texture feels dry yet full of life, supple in hand while keeping its elegant shape. Over time, it relaxes just a little—enough to feel naturally broken in, but never at the expense of its refined structure.

Swift

Pre-loved Hermès Swift Kelly 25 available on ZenLuxe.

Hermès Swift leather is a soft, semi-smooth calfskin known for its beautiful color saturation, elegant sheen, and slightly relaxed drape.

First introduced in 2005 as Gulliver’s successor, Swift leather redefined Hermès’ approach to soft, luminous luxury. Its tight grain and silky smooth texture allow colors to radiate with unmatched depth and brightness. Just look at the black Kelly above—the shade is so rich and intense it feels like the very definition of black, deep and endless. 

Those who love a bold statement can explore Swift bags in brighter hues too—think vibrant yellow, fiery orange, or striking blue—each glowing with that eye-popping finish the Swift is famed for.

Box

Pre-loved Hermès Box Kelly 32 available on ZenLuxe.

The oldest leather still used by Hermès, Box Calf, dates back to the 19th century and takes its name from London shoemaker Joseph Box. Jane Birkin herself carried two Birkins made from this very leather—the original 1985 prototype and her later “Voyageur” model—both in classic Black Box Calf.

The leather’s sleek, shiny finish picks up scratches easily, yet those marks eventually meld into a smooth patina that gives Box its legendary character.

• Here’s a jaw-dropping Birkin tidbit: That original Box Calf Birkin Jane Birkin famously wore—marked with the kind of wear only real life can create—broke records in July 2025 when it sold for an eye-watering $10 million, becoming the most expensive handbag ever auctioned.

Evergrain (Veau Evergrain)

Pre-loved Hermès Evergrain Wallet available on ZenLuxe.

Evergrain calfskin holds a special place in the maison’s catalog for its quiet elegance.

Introduced in 2004, it shares that same gentle softness of Hermès’ Evercalf family but features a discreet, ultra-regular printed grain—true to its name.

The leather has a light, satiny finish with a grain so fine it’s almost impossible to feel. In the hand, it’s supple and yielding, and as it ages, it becomes even softer and develops a subtle, elegant shine.

Evercolor (Veau Evercolor)

Pre-loved Hermès Evercolor Shoulder Bag available on ZenLuxe.

While it doesn’t always get the spotlight, Hermès Evercolor calfskin has quietly proved itself a true standout. Introduced in 2012 as the perfect companion to Evergrain, it shares that same soft, supple feel but offers a wider palette of rich, long-lasting “forever” shades.

The Evercolor is known for its satin-like finish and fine, regular printed grain that shows a bit more definition. The leather feels plush and supple, and as the years go by, it relaxes and gains a natural sheen that enhances its elegant personality.

Tadelakt

Pre-loved Hermès Tadelakt Pochette Pomme Apple Pouch available on ZenLuxe.

Tadelakt calfskin first joined the Hermès collections in 2007, bringing a finish unlike anything else in the lineup. Its waxy sheen and marbled tones echo the traditional Moroccan tadelakt used to coat hammam walls, giving the leather a subtle, artisanal depth.

Its appearance is semi-glossy with a softly mottled, uneven color that gives it real depth. The feel is smooth and silky with just a hint of waxiness. Over time, it develops a richer satin glow while maintaining its shape with impressive consistency.

Mysore Goatskin

Pre-loved Hermès Mysore Card Case available on ZenLuxe.

Don’t keep this one under the radar if you’re a serious Hermès collector!

Mysore goatskin, which first appeared in the 1990s, fittingly takes its name from a town in southern India where its raw hide originates. What makes it special is its distinctive grain, created through a boarding technique where the leather is rolled against itself, grain to grain. Depending on the direction, it can form fine linear patterns or more varied textures. 

The look is naturally irregular yet beautifully balanced, with a gentle shine that highlights every authentic feature of goatskin. It feels fairly dry at first but softens with age, staying supple in the hand. Over time, it becomes even more flexible and develops a stunning satiny finish.

Barénia Calfskin

Pre-loved Hermès Barénia Bag available on ZenLuxe.

Barénia is famous for its buttery-smooth feel, refined finish, and the deep patina it earns through time. Once reserved solely for Hermès saddles, it was made for people who treat their bags like they’re meant to be lived with, not babied. Collectors often praise it as “magic” because light scratches and marks simply vanish with a gentle rub. 

The sturdy leather originally took its name from the village of Barr in Alsace, where it was first tanned. It didn’t appear on handbags until the 1970s, officially becoming one of Hermès’ Heritage leathers. 

Barenia was designed to be both durable and supple, strong enough for constant use yet soft enough to stay elegant. The feel is waxy, well-nourished, and full-bodied, giving it a rich presence in the hand. Over the years, the leather absorbs natural oils and blends scratches into a rich shine that only becomes more stunning with use.

Barénia Faubourg Calfskin

Pre-loved Hermès Barénia Faubourg Bag available on ZenLuxe.

Barenia Faubourg calfskin stepped into the Hermès universe in 2016 as a fresh reinterpretation of the house’s iconic Barenia leather—an all-new heritage material tied closely to 24 Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Its appearance shows an ultra-fine printed grain that echoes the texture of drum-tumbled hides. To the touch, it feels waxy and velvety, with a softer, more relaxed feel than original Barenia.  

As it ages, it builds a rich patina and naturally darkens in the spots that experience the most handling, giving every piece a story of its own.

Taurillon Clémence

Pre-loved Hermès Taurillon Clémence Birkin available on ZenLuxe.

Taurillon Clémence is one of the hidden gems in Hermès’ leather repertoire.

First introduced in 1992 and named after the daughter of the designer who brought it to life, this leather was originally developed for Hermès luggage—built to be strong, resilient, and beautifully textured.

Its signature drummed finish softens the hide and brings a generous, naturally irregular grain to the surface. Visually, it’s semi-matte with a stunning pebbled texture. It feels soft and smooth the moment you hold it, and it relaxes even further with time, growing even more supple as it’s worn and loved.

Doblis

Pre-loved Hermès Doblis Birkin.
(Courtesy of FASHIONPHILE via Pinterest)

If velvety textures are your weakness, Doblis is the Hermès leather that speaks your language. First used for Hermès bags in the 1930s, Doblis is appreciated for its plush, tactile feel and is primarily used for the house’s luxury accessories, but it is delicate and must be kept away from water. 

As you handle it over time, it slowly picks up a gentle shine in the areas you touch most, creating a soft, lived-in glow.

Volynka Calfskin (Russian Leather)

Hermès Russian Leather Bag. 
(Courtesy of Hermès)

Hermès presents Veau Volynka as a historically inspired leather offered on travel pieces (Bolide Voyage, Haut à Courroies, Plume Voyage) and Ulysse notebook covers, distinguished by a powerful smoky-woody scent. 

According to the house, the leather’s singular character comes from an infusion of birch and oak, which imparts a delicate “smoked tea” scent and a patinated mahogany finish.

Grizzly Calfskin

Pre-loved Hermès Grizzly Birkin.
(Courtesy of FASHIONPHILE via Pinterest)

Since 2010, Grizzly calfskin has brought a sporty, rustic softness to Hermès leatherwork. It’s a suede calfskin created by sanding the flesh side of large hides, which gives it that robust, rustic character that inspired its name.

The look is velvety and plush, paired with a soft, touchable feel and an impressively supple character.  As with any suede, Grizzly requires a little extra care, but it gives back a collector-approved patina—a subtle, elegant sheen that appears naturally in the most frequently touched areas.

Butler (Veau Butler)

Pre-loved Hermès Butler Paddock Bout Boots available on ZenLuxe.

Hermès Veau Butler is a smooth, box-calf leather known for its somewhat shiny appearance and structured, box-like quality. It is considered a heritage leather from Hermès that holds its shape well and develops a beautiful patina over time. 

Although Butler debuted in 2012, Hermès now produces only a limited number of pieces in this leather.

Shop Your Dream Hermès Bag Pre-loved From Japan

An extensive collection of authentic pre-loved Hermès bags available on ZenLuxe.

Once you have picked the Hermès leather that suits your style and everyday use, it is finally time to find your dream Hermès piece.

For a seriously good money-saving approach, you can skip Hermès’ hefty retail prices and shop pre-loved through Japan-based platform ZenLuxe, featuring a wide selection of 100% Entrupy-authenticated Hermès bags.

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About The Writer

Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).