What Is the Softest Leather for Beginners?

January 30, 2026

When you’re new to leather craft, choosing the right leather can make a huge difference.

Leather that feels too stiff or thick can be difficult to cut and fold, which often leads to frustration early on.

This guide explains what makes leather soft and which types are easiest for beginners to work with.

What does “soft leather” mean?

Soft leather is leather that bends easily, feels flexible in the hand and folds without cracking.

Softness depends on:

You don’t need technical knowledge - just understanding these basics helps hugely.

In most cases, chrome tanned leather is the softest and most flexible leather available.

It is treated during tanning to remain supple, making it ideal for small handmade items and beginner projects.

Vegetable tanned leather, by comparison, is firmer and more structured.

Soft leather:

This allows beginners to focus on learning techniques rather than struggling with the material.

Yes - thickness plays a big role.

Typical examples:

Most beginners find 1.2 - 1.5mm gives the best balance.

Not always.

Very thin leather can stretch or feel flimsy, while medium-soft leather provides more durability for everyday items.

That’s why medium-weight chrome tanned leather is often the best place to start.

For most beginner projects, look for:

This combination is easy to handle and produces neat results.

If you’re unsure about the different leather finishes, you may find our guide to the different kinds of leather helpful.

Just getting started?

Working with smaller pieces of leather is a great way to practise and understand how leather behaves before moving onto larger pieces.

Our leather scrap bags are selected for crafting use and are ideal for beginner projects and experimenting with colour and thickness.