Vegetable Tanned Leather

Veg tan leather in stock in Los Angeles, from 2 oz garment lambskin to 14/15 oz sole bends, sold as whole hides, double and single shoulders, bellies and belt panels. Avetco has supplied vegetable tanned leather to leather goods makers, saddlers, and belt and footwear manufacturers since 1997. It is tanned with plant tannins from tree bark rather than chrome salts, and it ages instead of wearing out: it darkens, softens and develops a patina with use. It tools, stamps, molds and burnishes in ways chrome-tanned leather cannot.

Choosing your weight

Leather is sold by ounces; one ounce is roughly 1/64″ of thickness. Weight, not color, is your first decision.

• 2–3 oz — garment weight. Clothing, linings, light accessories. LOX Veg Tan Lambskin, Chrome Free Lambskin, Tuscany Veg Tan.
• 3–4 oz — the all-rounder. Wallets, bags, small goods, embossed work. Tierra Waxed Pull-Up, Siena Veg Aniline, Veg Tanned Bellies.
• 5–6 oz — structure with flexibility. Bags, sheaths, holsters, heavier straps. Crazy Horse, Alexa, Fiesta Full Veg Aniline.
• 8–9 oz — belt and strap weight. Firm, tools beautifully, holds a burnished edge. Orleans Belt Panels, Arido Distressed Full Grain.
• 10–15 oz — sole and harness weight. Vegetable Tan Sole Bends in 8/9, 10/11, and 14/15 oz for soles, saddlery, and heavy tack.

Tooling and finish

For tooling, choose firm, tight-grained veg tan with minimal surface finish — it takes water and holds an impression. Our sole bends and belt panels are built for this. Waxed pull-up leathers like Tierra and Crazy Horse lighten where they bend. Natural, undyed veg tan deepens toward honey and amber with sun and handling.

New to veg tan? Our Vegetable Tanned Leather Guide covers how it’s tanned, choosing weight in ounces, best uses, and how the patina develops.

Shop by use: Tooling Leather, Belting Leather, Leather Soles and Cowhide. Buying by the hide for production? Email info@avetcoinc.com for wholesale quantities.