You see official footballs, like those in the NFL, made from full-grain steer hide leather. Horween Leather Company supplies most of this leather. You benefit from its grip, durability, and performance during play. Many people still believe footballs use pigskin.

Today, Football Leather Material means cowhide, not pigskin.

What Makes Up the Leather in Footballs

• Official footballs are made from cowhide leather, not pigskin. This change enhances durability and performance.

• Cowhide offers a softer feel and quicker break-in time, while steer hide provides unmatched durability for long-term use.

• Horween Leather Company supplies high-quality leather, ensuring excellent grip and flexibility for optimal play.

Football Leather Material Types

Steer Hide and Cowhide Overview

When you look at the Football Leather Material used in official footballs, you find two main types: steer hide and cowhide. Both offer unique qualities that affect how the ball feels, performs, and lasts on the field.

You notice that cowhide feels softer and breaks in quickly. This makes it a favorite for players who want a ball ready for action right away. Steer hide, on the other hand, feels heavier and stiffer. It takes longer to break in, but it stands up to years of tough play. Many leagues, including the NFL, rely on cowhide for their Football Leather Material. In fact, the NFL uses about 35,000 cowhides each year to make around 700,000 regulation footballs. Each cowhide can produce about 20 footballs, showing how important this material is for the sport.

The process of turning raw hides into Football Leather Material involves several careful steps:

1. Cowhides arrive from the feedlot and are tanned for durability.

2. The hides are stamped with a trademark and cut into strong panels.

3. Panels are sewn inside out, then steamed and turned right side out.

4. A rubber bladder is inserted, and the ball is laced by hand.

5. The finished ball is molded, measured, and inspected for quality.

This process ensures that every football meets strict standards for size, weight, and air pressure. You get a ball that performs consistently, whether you play in a backyard or on a professional field.

Note: Full-grain leather, especially from the center cut, gives the ball its signature grip and rugged texture. This natural surface helps you control the ball, even in wet or cold weather.

Why Horween Leather Is Used

You might wonder why so many official footballs use leather from the Horween Leather Company. Horween has supplied Football Leather Material for the NFL since the 1940s. Their reputation comes from a commitment to quality and innovation.

Horween Leather stands out for several reasons:

• It offers excellent grip and durability, which helps you handle the ball in any weather.

• The leather stays flexible and resists water, making it ideal for high-level play.

• Horween uses a special tanning process that combines chrome and vegetable methods. This creates leather that is both tough and flexible.

• Their Tanned in Tack® process infuses extra tackiness into the leather, giving you a better grip.

• The company sources hides as byproducts from the meat industry, supporting sustainability.

You benefit from these features every time you throw, catch, or kick a football. The proprietary treatments and quality checks ensure that each ball meets the demands of both professionals and amateurs.

"Chromexcel is characterized by a rich pull-up in full aniline, hand rubbed finishes, and is treated with proprietary tannage and extracts, providing high performance characteristics demanded by professionals and amateurs alike."

Most of the Football Leather Material from Horween comes from cowhide, which makes up about 85% of their production. This focus on quality materials and careful processing sets Horween apart from other suppliers.

You may still hear people call a football a "pigskin," but that term comes from the early days of the sport. Back then, makers used pig bladders to inflate the ball. Today, official footballs use cowhide or steer hide for their outer shell. This change gives you a ball that lasts longer, feels better, and performs at the highest level.

Football Construction

Leather’s Role in the Outer Shell

You see the outer shell of a football as the part you grip, throw, and kick. Manufacturers use Football Leather Material to create this shell because it offers durability and a reliable feel. The process starts with cutting panels from high-quality leather. Workers match these panels for color, texture, and grain direction. This step ensures every football looks and feels consistent. Logos and textures get stamped onto the panels using heated heads. Early quality control checks remove any panels with printing flaws.

You notice that the thickness and grain of the Football Leather Material affect how the ball performs. Thicker leather increases durability and resistance to wear. Grain texture improves grip and tactile feedback. Surface texture optimizes anti-slip properties and elasticity.

Tip: Rich surface textures and soft touch help you control the ball better, especially in wet conditions.

Interaction with the Rubber Bladder

Inside every football, you find a rubber bladder. This component holds air and keeps the ball firm during play. The bladder sits beneath the leather shell, working together to maintain shape and performance. Automated machines place the bladder inside the shell, ensuring consistent placement and air injection. This process eliminates human error and keeps every football uniform.

• The bladder is the innermost part of the football, crucial for air retention.

• Latex bladders offer superior bounce and responsiveness, ideal for professional play.

• Butyl bladders provide longer air retention, often used in training and recreational balls.

Bladders help the football keep its shape over time. Machines control the amount of air injected, so you get a ball with standardized bounce and predictable flight. The Football Leather Material and rubber bladder work together to give you a football that feels right every time you play.

Leather vs Synthetic Materials

Feel and Performance Differences

When you pick up a football, you notice the difference between real leather and synthetic materials right away. Many players and coaches describe these differences:

• Real leather footballs give you a traditional feel and grip. You sense the natural texture and responsiveness with every throw.

• PU leather footballs provide a consistent performance and predictable touch. You may find them easier to handle, especially if you want a ball that feels the same every time.

• Players often prefer the grip and feedback from genuine leather, while synthetic balls stand out for their durability and low maintenance.

Synthetic footballs excel in wet weather. They resist moisture, so you keep a steady grip even in heavy rain. Genuine leather offers excellent grip in dry conditions, but it absorbs water and becomes heavier when wet. You need to maintain leather balls carefully to keep them in top shape.

Tip: If you play in all kinds of weather, synthetic footballs help you avoid slippery situations.

Durability and Practical Use

You want a football that lasts through tough practices and games. The average lifespan of each type varies:

Maintenance also matters:

You also consider cost and the environment. Natural leather costs more, while PU and PVC options are more affordable. Synthetic footballs often use recycled materials and require less energy to produce, making them a greener choice for many teams.

You gain several advantages from high-quality steer hide or cowhide leather in footballs:

• Superior grip and tactile feedback in dry conditions

• High resistance to scratches, punctures, and wear

• Long-lasting durability for heavy use