Are Men’s Leather Coats Eco-Friendly? The Hidden Truth

1. Introduction: The Unspoken Truth Behind a Timeless Fashion Staple

A Men’s leather coat has long been synonymous with rugged confidence, style that stands the test of time, and just plain durability. Whether it’s a Men's Brown Shearling Bomber Hoodie Coat, a B3 Flying Aviator Leather Coat, or a good old Sheepskin Shearling Jacket most of us love leather for its texture its ability to last & its masculine charm.

But here's the thing most of us don't think about: your leather coat has a carbon footprint a long time before it even enters your wardrobe

From livestock emissions to tanning dyeing transport and all the logistics that come with it the leather manufacturing process has its fair share of dirty secrets. Brands are often tight lipped about how far your coat has travelled how much energy it took to process it & what kind of chemicals they used along the way.

This guide breaks it down in plain English so you get a clear picture of the environmental reality behind your leather coat & can make better choices that still look great.

2. Why Leather Has a Carbon Footprint: Let’s Get Real

Even though leather is basically a byproduct of the meat industry it's still carrying some serious environmental baggage. Here's where the trouble starts:

Where the carbon is coming from

·      Livestock are farting methane (not the most glamorous thing to think about I know!

·      To feed the animals & to graze them huge areas of land get cleared out

·      It takes a lot of water to produce leather

·       We're talking chemicals here tanning is a nasty business

·    It starts to add up when your leather jacket has been shipped halfway around the world

Leather lasts a good while which is a definite plus for sustainability but making it in the first place is a resource guzzling nightmare.

Research shows that livestock and hide processing account for a huge chunk of greenhouse emissions with the UN & European Commission both pointing to it as a major problem.

3. Livestock & Land Use: The Biggest Emission Source

Before it becomes your Men’s Brown Shearling Bomber Hoodie Coat, it starts on a farm.

Environmental factors

·         Cattle release methane, one of the most powerful greenhouse gases.

·         Large areas of land are needed for grazing and feed crops.

·         Feed farming requires fertilizers, tractors, transport and irrigation.

In short: the raw hide before tanning already has a carbon footprint.

4. Tanning: The Chemical Side Most Brands Don’t Talk About

Tanning turns raw hides into leather. It’s also the most resource-intensive part.

Problems with conventional tanning

·         Heavy use of chromium salts

·         High energy consumption

·         Water pollution risk

·         Chemical-laden wastewater

This can turn a natural hide into an environmental burden if not managed properly.

Chrome-tanned leather is fast and cheap, that’s why many “fast fashion” brands use it. But that speed comes with a cost chemical waste and higher energy usage.

5. Vegetable Tanning: A Greener Alternative

Not all tanning harms the planet equally.

Vegetable tanning, used by high-end and heritage leather brands, replaces heavy metals with tree bark, leaves and natural tannins. This reduces waste and allows leather to biodegrade more naturally.

Benefits of vegetable-tanned leather

·         Less chemical pollution

·         More compostable

·         Natural patina over time

·         Longer lasting finish

6. Dyes, Finishes & Shearling Treatment: Where Energy Spikes

A natural hide doesn’t turn into a Men's Brown B3 Flying Aviator Shearling Leather Long Jacket Coat overnight. It needs finishing, coloring, softening and sometimes shearling treatment.

These steps require:

·         Heat

·         Chemical baths

·         Machinery

·         Skilled labor

·         Lots of water

Shearling coats have an even bigger footprint because the wool is still attached, requires extra processes.

7. The Secret Journey of Your Leather Coat

Leather travels far and wide before it reaches your wardrobe.

A typical journey might look like:

• Raw hides from South America
• Tanning in South Asia
• Manufacturing in Turkey or China
• Retail distribution to Australia, the US or the UK

Each stage burns fuel and requires logistics, adding to your coat’s carbon footprint.

That’s why shopping from brands with local craftsmanship or transparent supply chains, like Glory Store AU, can make a big difference.

8. How Much Carbon Does a Leather Coat Really Emit?

Numbers vary, but lifecycle assessments say:

• A single leather jacket can produce 40–60+ kg of CO₂-eq across its whole life.
• A shearling coat may be even higher due to extra processing.
• Transport can add 10–20% to the total.

But here’s the thing: A good leather coat can last 10–20 years, so its annual carbon impact is lower than synthetic jackets that last 2–3 years.

Longevity = sustainability.

9. Real Example: Three Men’s Leather Coats Compared

Here’s a simplified table comparing the environmental impact of three best-sellers from Glory Store AU.

Product	Leather Type	Finishing	Durability	Estimated Footprint Notes
Men's Brown Shearling Bomber Hoodie Coat	Sheepskin	Shearling	★★★★★	Higher processing energy but excellent longevity
Men's Brown B3 Flying Aviator Shearling Leather Long Coat	Shearling	Full-grain	★★★★★	Heavy-duty, lasts decades, offsets initial footprint
Men's Brown B3 Flight Sheepskin Shearling Jacket Coat	Shearling	Natural wool interior	★★★★★	Very warm, reduces need for additional winter layers

Key benefit:

Shearling coats keep you warm, so you don’t need multiple layers or extra jackets reducing your personal winter carbon footprint.

10. Are Faux Leather or PU Coats Better? Not Always.

Many eco-conscious shoppers assume synthetic is better. The truth is more complicated.

The problem with PU or faux leather

·         Made from plastic (polyurethane, PVC)

·         Requires petroleum extraction

·         Doesn’t biodegrade

·         Peels and cracks within 1–2 years

·         Needs replacement often

Faux leather avoids livestock emissions, but adds to microplastic pollution and landfill waste.

A good quality real leather coat lasts decades so fewer replacements and less waste.

11. How Slow Fashion Brands (Like Glory Store AU) Reduce Carbon Footprint

Trusted brands use:

·         Ethically sourced hides

·         Vegetable or low-impact tanning

·         Responsible shearling processing

·         Local or regional craftsmanship

·         Small-batch production to reduce waste

·         Reduced packaging

·         Durable construction

At Glory Store AU, durability and craftsmanship means you buy a leather coat that lasts, so you don’t need to replace.

12. How to Reduce the Impact of Your Leather Coat

Here are the practical tips:

Choose vegetable-tanned leather

Cleaner, safer, longer lasting.

Buy fewer, better

A premium coat for 10+ years beats cheap synthetic coats every winter.

Proper care extends life

·         Condition leather yearly

·         Protect from moisture

·         Store in breathable bags

·         Avoid too much sun

Repair, don’t replace

Leather can be restored.

13. Consumer Questions: Real Qs, Simple As

Q1: Is real leather bad for the environment?

Not necessarily. While it has a footprint, it’s more sustainable than fast-fashion synthetic alternatives.

Q2: Is shearling eco-friendly?

Shearling uses both wool and hide from the same animal, maximizes resource efficiency. It’s warmer so you need fewer layers or synthetic insulation.

Q3: Does vegetable-tanned leather last longer?

Yes. It ages beautifully, is more durable and develops a patina.

Q4: How can I check if a brand is sustainable?

Look for transparency on:

·         tanning methods

·         sourcing

·         manufacturing location

·         certifications

·         product longevity

·         warranty or repair options

Q5: What’s the eco-friendliest leather coat?

A well-made, full-grain, vegetable-tanned coat from a transparent brand that you’ll wear for many years.

14. The Word from Sustainability Experts: What They Think About Durability

Environmental types are always going on about how sustainability is all about longevity.

Researchers at places like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the European Environment Agency have done some digging and found that getting clothes to last for 3 years instead of 1 can cut their environmental impact by an astonishing 50%.

Leather, when produced properly, is the real winner here.

·         Investing in a good quality leather coat is not just about looking the part - it's a long-term bet for the planet.

15. The Bottom Line on Your Leather Coat (And Why It Actually Matters)

You know the leather coat - whether it's a high-end one like the:

·         the mens brown shearling bomber hoodie coat

·         the men's brown B3 flying aviator shearling long coat

·         or the men's B3 flight sheepskin shearling jacket coat

These bad boys are killing it in the longevity department, provide heaps of warmth and still manage to look sharp.

But getting a handle on what that carbon footprint actually is can help you make some important shopping decisions like buying from brands that genuinely care about the planet.

When you shop at a place that puts transparency and ethics at the top of their list, like Glory Store AU, you're not just grabbing a fashion piece you're getting some real trustworthiness, quality, and a lower carbon footprint.

Ready to Get Behind Sustainable, Long-Lasting Leather Coats?

Let's be real, a coat that lasts decades will not only save you money but also reduce waste and gives your wardrobe a much-needed carbon footprint reduction.

Check out the premium shearling and leather coats at Glory Store AU. Get The Look!