Born From Hide

MATERIAL MATTERS

At Webb & Hide, we work with real leather — a natural material shaped by time, use, and purpose. It is not synthetic. It is not disposable. It is built to endure.

Leather Is a Natural Byproduct

The leather we use comes from hides that are never sourced solely for leather production. They are a byproduct of the food industry. Rather than allowing these natural materials to go to waste, they are preserved, tanned, and crafted into goods designed to last for decades.

Using leather is not about excess — it is about respecting and fully utilizing a natural resource.

Horween & Responsible Tanning

We primarily use leather from Horween Leather Company, one of the oldest operating tanneries in the United States, tanning leather in Chicago since 1905.

Horween is known for:

• Traditional, time-proven tanning methods

• The use of natural materials and vegetable-based tanning processes

• Long production cycles that prioritize quality over speed

• Responsible material use and minimizing waste

• Producing leather built for decades of service, not short-term use

Their philosophy aligns with ours — make fewer things, make them well, and make them last.

Built From Nature — Not Plastic

Real leather is an organic, natural material. It softens, ages, and develops character over time. With proper care, leather goods can last for decades, reducing waste and avoiding the cycle of constant replacement.

Quality leather is biodegradable, repairable, and built for long-term use — not short-term disposal.

The Truth About “Vegan Leather”

Most so-called “vegan leather” is not a natural material. It is typically made from plastic-based synthetics such as polyurethane (PU) or PVC — petroleum-derived materials that:

• Are not biodegradable

• Break down into microplastics

• Cannot be repaired like real leather

• Crack, peel, and fail over time

• Often end up in landfills after a short lifespan

While marketed as environmentally friendly, most synthetic alternatives are fundamentally plastic products with limited lifespan and long-term environmental impact.

Longevity Is Sustainability

A product that lasts decades carries far less environmental impact than one replaced every few years. Real leather goods are:

• Durable

• Repairable

• Long-lasting

• Naturally aging, not deteriorating

We believe in buying less, buying better, and building things that endure.

A Material With Purpose

Leather has been trusted for centuries because it works. It protects, it lasts, and it carries character over time. We choose real leather not only for its strength and beauty — but because it is a natural, time-proven material built for long use, not short life.

Webb & Hide — Built by Hand. Built to Last.