Yak Leather: SUPERLEATHER! The Buttery Soft Upgrade Your Shoes Need

When you think of premium leather, you probably get images of an Italian Tanner conducting his generations-old, passed down skills with love. Creating a buttery soft hide to be shipped out to only the biggest & best in designers crafting top quality shoes and bags that will demand sales in the thousands of dollars. 

What you probably DIDN’T picture was a Yurt, high in the mountains of Mongolia where a revolutionary new material has just been discovered (by the west, Central Asians have been using Yak Leather for over 4,000 years). But that is exactly where the hero of our story today hails from, and you’re about to find out why footwear will never be the same. 

What Is Yak Leather?

If you don’t know anything about Yak’s, they are essentially Cow’s absolute unit, high-altitude cousins. Native to the mountains of places like Tibet & Mongolia, Yak’s have evolved for survival. Because they live their lives in extreme cold, wind, rough terrain and more their hides have naturally developed some pretty special characteristics. 

Yak’s are built different, as you might expect due to the conditions. Compared to traditional cowhide leather, yak leather is denser, more robust to wear & tear, and provides exceptional insulation. But what might surprise you is the softness! 

You might think because of the Yak’s rough and tough exterior (matching the terrain around it) would mean the hides would be rough and tough too, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Yak leather is actually buttery soft and luxurious. This is because their hides developed a tight, finer collagen fibre network compared to cows. Because it’s finer, it’s softer to the touch. They also have a higher natural fat content (because of the cold surroundings) which makes the leather feel more supple and pliable even without having to put it through harsh chemical treatments or softening during tanning. 

Why Yak Leather Is Perfect for Shoes

1. Naturally Durable (Without the Bulk)

Yak leather is about 30% stronger than traditional cowhide leather. This is due to that dense, fine collagen fibre make up. This density makes it naturally tougher and more resistant to stretching, tearing and wearing down. Making it perfect for your shoes that are going to take a beating (running, hiking, or wearing every single day because you love them so much). 

Not only that, it manages to do that while being substantially thinner than traditional leather. Cows only have the single layer coat. Whereas Yaks is multi-layered, a thick outer hair layer, and inner layer hide simply for insulation. This makes it able to do more with less. It holds its shape and never becomes heavy or stiff.  

2. Naturally Breathable

Yaks evolved to live in unforgiving environments. Brutally cold winters and surprisingly warm summers meant the Yak had to adapt, and the leather reflects that. 

While the collagen fibres are packed densely, each individual fibre is more open and porous than their cowhide counterparts. This provides natural air channels meaning better airflow. On top of this, Yak leather typically needs less chemical treatment compared to cowhide, which preserves that glorious natural pore structure. 

In a nutshell: say goodbye to hot, sweaty feet! 

3. Lightweight and Flexible

It’s crazy that Yak leather is not only around 30% stronger than traditional leather but lighter and thinner too. We suppose mother nature is the greatest inventor and she was working overtime when it came to these hides. 

As mentioned, due to the dense packed fibres you can do more with less. Meaning that it can remain strong while being cut thinner, making it lighter. 

But it isn’t just that, these fibres are actually naturally more elastic than cowhide too. So you can bend, stretch and move without it losing shape. Add that to the fact that it requires far less heavy processing and it’s a match made in heaven. 

You’ll get that ultra-comfortable “broken-in” feel much faster than traditional leathers. 

4. Water-Resistant

Yaks are native to a region where they’ll face freezing snow and rain almost daily. It was crucial for them to develop some kind of water resistance in order to survive. 

This was accomplished once again to (believe it or not) those densely packed fibres but also the higher level of oils and fats found in their skin. The dense fibres reduce the number of pathways for water to penetrate the leathers and the oils and fats create another barrier against water absorption. 

It is by no means entirely waterproof. However, with a little extra treatment, yak leather shoes can perform exceptionally well in wet conditions, making them a solid choice for outdoor adventures.

5. Sustainable and Ethical Aspects

With all the advantages Yak leather provides over cowhide you might be shocked to learn that it’s actually more sustainable too! 

Yaks are generally raised by nomadic herders in Tibet, Mongolia and Central Asia. They graze naturally on open land meaning that there are no feedlots, intensive farming systems or artificial irrigation required. They also travel in more dispersed, smaller herds. So overgrazing and degradation of the land is far more sporadic than large-scale cattle operations. 

Yak’s are such an integral part of these cultures, and as such almost every part of the animal is used. They use: 

• Milk for food
• Wool for textiles
• All of the meat
• Yak dung for fuel 
• Of course, their hides for exceptional leathers. 

More of the animal used = less environmental impact. 

The Bottom Line

We get it, Yak’s aren’t particularly a “sexy” animal. 

However, if you really get down to it… neither are cows. 

If Goji berries have evolved to a state where we can call them a “superfood”, The Comfort Co has absolutely no problem calling Yak Leather a “superleather”. 

Yak’s have simply evolved to be better. Once you get over that initial shock of “Yak Leather?”, what you’re left with is a Schwarzenegger level strong and durable shoe, with surprising softness and breathability that will blow you away. 

It has to be felt to be believed and you can give this superleather a try in most of the new range of Mia Vitas! You’re going to love it.