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Shearling vs Sheepskin vs Lambskin: What Is the Difference?
Oct
Shearling vs sheepskin is one of the questions we hear most often before a winter jacket purchase. The three names, shearling, sheepskin and lambskin, are often used as if they mean the same thing. They do not. All three come from sheep, but they are prepared differently, and that changes how a jacket feels, how warm it is and how long it lasts. This guide explains the difference in plain words so you can pick the right one.
What is sheepskin?
Sheepskin is the broad term for the hide of a sheep. What happens to that hide decides the final material. If the wool is removed, the result is sheepskin leather or suede, which is thicker and tougher than lambskin and works well for sturdy jackets. If the wool is left on, the result is shearling.
What is shearling?
According to Wikipedia, shearling is the skin of a recently shorn sheep or lamb that has been tanned with the wool left on. One side has a suede surface and the other side has clipped wool. In a jacket the suede side is usually worn outside and the wool sits against your body. That wool traps heat, which is why shearling is the classic material for aviator and bomber jackets such as the B3.
What is lambskin?
Lambskin is leather from a young sheep. The grain is finer, the leather is lighter and it feels softer and smoother than leather from an adult sheep. It usually has no wool, so it is worn for style rather than for extreme cold. Lambskin is a popular choice for biker jackets, bombers and fitted fashion jackets.
Shearling vs sheepskin vs lambskin at a glance
| Material | What it is | How it feels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shearling | Sheepskin or lambskin tanned with the wool left on | Soft, dense and very warm | Cold winters and aviator jackets |
| Sheepskin leather | Adult sheep hide with the wool removed | Thicker, sturdy and slightly firmer | Durable everyday jackets |
| Lambskin | Hide of a young sheep with the wool removed | Light, smooth and very soft | Fitted biker and fashion jackets |
Which one should you choose?
Choose shearling if you live somewhere cold and want maximum warmth. Good examples are the B3 Men’s Real Shearling Sheepskin WW2 Aviator RAF Bomber Flying Jacket and the Women’s B3 Bomber Aviator Real Fur Sheepskin Shearling Leather Jacket.
Choose lambskin if you want a lighter, softer jacket that fits close to the body, such as the Women’s Lambskin Leather Jacket Motorcycle Real Slimfit Black Biker or the New Men’s Quilted Lambskin Motorcycle Biker Black Leather Jacket.
Choose sheepskin leather if you want durability for everyday wear without the bulk of wool.
How to tell real shearling from faux
Sherpa is the usual name for synthetic shearling, according to Wikipedia. Real shearling has dense wool and its outer side looks dull rather than shiny. Faux versions often have a sheen and a flat pile. Our guide on how to tell if a shearling coat is real lists more checks you can do before you buy.
Shop shearling and lambskin jackets
Browse our shearling jackets for men and shearling jackets for women, or see the full shearling jacket collection. Our size guide helps you pick the right size, and how to care for a shearling jacket shows how to keep it in good shape for years.
Frequently asked questions
Is shearling the same as sheepskin? Shearling is a type of sheepskin. It is sheepskin tanned with the wool left on, so every shearling is sheepskin, but not every sheepskin is shearling.
Is lambskin warmer than shearling? No. Shearling is warmer because the wool stays on the skin and traps heat. Lambskin is lighter and better for cool weather and layering.
Is shearling the same as sherpa? No. Shearling is natural and comes from a sheep or lamb. Sherpa is a synthetic fabric made to look like shearling.
