BioThane vs. Leather: Which Dog Collar is Best for Your Pup?
I've been making dog collars from both BioThane and English Bridle leather since 1997, and after all those years I still like both materials. They just aren't the right choice for every dog or every lifestyle.
That's really the most important thing I've learned from working with them. There isn't a winner between BioThane and leather. A dog that spends half the summer swimming has very different needs from one whose collar stays relatively clean and dry. Some people want a collar they can rinse off in the sink, while others love the way a good leather collar breaks in and develops character over time.
Here's how I think about the differences when helping someone choose between them.
BioThane and English Bridle Leather
What Is BioThane?
BioThane is a coated webbing material originally developed for demanding applications such as horse tack. At dogIDs, we use BioThane Beta strap for our waterproof collars and leashes because it gives us a strong polyester webbing core with a waterproof coating that doesn't absorb water the way leather or nylon webbing can.
I've worked with different versions of coated webbing over the years, and BioThane Beta has remained my favorite for waterproof dog gear. It's flexible, easy to clean and available in a wide range of colors. Most importantly, it holds up extremely well to the wet, muddy environments where traditional materials can become harder to maintain.
You can see our current waterproof BioThane dog collars here.
Why We Still Use English Bridle Leather
English Bridle leather is almost the opposite experience, and that's exactly why I still like working with it.
The leather we use is vegetable-tanned and starts out fairly firm. With use, it gradually softens, conforms to the dog's neck and develops the character that makes a well-worn leather collar so distinctive. If you've ever broken in a good leather belt, pair of boots or baseball mitt, you know what I mean.
We've worked with different leathers over the years, but English Bridle leather is still my favorite for dog collars. It has the substance and traditional appearance I want when we're building a collar that's meant to look and feel like real leather gear.
You can read more about why we use English Bridle leather, or see our current leather dog collars here.
How BioThane and Leather Compare
Water, Odor and Cleaning
This is where the difference between the two materials is probably easiest to see.
BioThane Beta doesn't absorb water, which makes it an easy choice for dogs that swim, play in mud or regularly come home wearing evidence of wherever they've been. Most of the time, cleaning it is as simple as washing it with soap and water, rinsing it off and wiping it clean.
Leather requires a little more care. It can handle normal exposure to the elements, but I wouldn't choose it for a dog that's constantly swimming or getting soaked. If a leather collar gets wet, let it dry naturally at room temperature. As the leather begins to feel dry through use and exposure, occasional conditioning helps keep it supple.
For dogs that live around water, I usually recommend BioThane. For dogs whose collars generally stay dry, either material can be a good choice.
How They Wear Over Time
This is one of the biggest philosophical differences between the materials.
A good leather collar changes as your dog wears it. It softens, conforms to the neck and develops marks, color changes and patina. I don't consider those things defects. They're part of what makes leather interesting.
BioThane behaves differently. It doesn't need to break in the way leather does and its appearance tends to remain much more consistent through use. It may develop normal signs of wear over time, but it doesn't develop the same patina or character as natural leather.
Some people love watching leather age. Others would much rather rinse the mud off a collar and be done with it. Neither preference is wrong.
Appearance and Personalization
Both materials work very well for personalized dog collars, but they create two very different looks.
English Bridle leather has the traditional appearance people often picture when they think of a classic dog collar. It pairs especially well with brass or stainless steel hardware and a riveted engraved nameplate.
BioThane gives us considerably more freedom with color. We can build everything from understated earth tones to bright, highly visible collars while still incorporating permanent identification such as our engraved nameplates and ScruffTag designs.
For me, this part of the decision mostly comes down to personal preference. Both materials give us a solid foundation for building a personalized collar.
Combining the Two Materials
We also make a collar that combines characteristics of both materials. Our Fusion Padded Collar uses BioThane as the primary strap material with a leather lining.
It's a good example of why I don't think about collar materials as competing teams. Sometimes combining materials lets us use the characteristics of each to build something different.
Which One Would I Choose?
If your dog is a dedicated swimmer, spends a lot of time in mud, or you simply want a collar that's extremely easy to clean, I would choose BioThane.
If you like traditional leather gear, don't mind giving it a little care and appreciate the way leather softens and develops character over time, I would choose English Bridle leather.
I've been working with both materials for nearly 30 years and still use both because they solve different problems. The best choice isn't really about which material is better. It's about how your dog lives and what you want from the collar.
That's also why we continue making collars from scratch as orders come in rather than simply pulling finished collars off a shelf and adding personalization. The material, hardware, identification method and construction are all parts of the finished collar. I think they're worth considering together.
FAQs
How do I clean Biothane Collars?
To clean a Biothane waterproof collar, simply wipe it off with a warm damp rag or run it under water while rubbing it with your fingers or a towel. Use warm soapy water if you want to really deep clean it. Then, just dry it off and it's like new!
How do I clean an English bridle leather collar?
We recommend cleaning English bridle leather collars with natural leather cleaner like our dogIDs Leather Cleaner spray or something comparable designed for leather and without synthetic additives. Just apply the leather cleaner with a cloth rub gently and then wipe with a dry cloth
Why is English bridle leather so stiff at first?
English bridle leather has an amazing appearance but it is also designed for long term durability with water repellent properties as well. Since it is such a robust leather, when new it is quite stiff. However, some things are worth the wait. Once the leather begins absorbing the natural oils from your dog's skin and coat, the leather becomes very soft and supple, making it even more beautiful, softer with time and fitting your dog's neck like a glove.
Is Biothane strap odor proof?
Yes! Sometimes to remove any odors that your dog has rolled in, you may need to clean the Biothane strap with soap and water but that's it. The only exception to this rule that we have found is skunk spray since it is so difficult to scrub off of anything. Biothane is non-porous though so you don't have to worry about it actually absorbing any stinky substances.
Why has my Biothane collar become stiff and is starting to crack?
The only thing we have found that causes Biothane to become brittle over time is long exposure to intense direct sunlight. If you live in areas of extreme sun and your dog spends a lot of time outside, you may notice the Biothane strap becomes gradually stiff over several years time and may begin to crack. If this happens, send it in to us and we'll replace the strap to renew the collar's look and feel. We hear this from customers occasionally. But then we ask how long they've had the collar and they always surprise us. "12 years?! Yeah, it's time for a refresh.".
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