Pittards Review: 200 Years of Leather Science
Pittards is not a brand you see on the high street. You see their leather on the high street — in gloves, shoes, bags, and sporting goods made by other companies. They are a tannery and leather finisher, transforming raw hides into some of the finest performance and luxury leathers in the world.
Founded in 1826 in Yeovil, Somerset, Pittards has spent 200 years developing leather technologies that solve specific problems — waterproofing for military gloves, grip enhancement for sports equipment, breathability for luxury fashion.
The Heritage
Somerset's leather industry dates back centuries. Yeovil was once a centre of glove making, with tanneries supplying the local workshops. Pittards grew from this tradition into a global leather technology company, while maintaining its roots in the craft of tanning.
The company has supplied leather for:
- Royal Air Force flying gloves — Pittards' WR100 leather is wind and water resistant while maintaining dexterity
- Premier League footballs — Their leather has been used in match balls
- Luxury fashion houses — European and British brands use Pittards-finished leather
- Cricket, golf, and equestrian equipment — Performance leather for sport
The Craft
Pittards combines traditional tanning with advanced leather science:
- Raw hide selection — Pittards sources from ethical suppliers, primarily Ethiopian sheepskin (known for its fine grain and lightweight properties)
- Tanning — Using both vegetable and chrome methods depending on the end use
- Re-tanning — A second tanning process that enhances specific properties (softness, water resistance, colour penetration)
- Finishing — This is Pittards' speciality. Proprietary finishing processes add performance characteristics:
- WR100 — Water-resistant finish for outdoor and military use
- Armortan — Abrasion-resistant finish for high-wear applications
- SHL — Silky Hand Leather, an ultra-soft finish for luxury goods
- Quality control — Every hide is inspected and graded
The combination of craft knowledge (how leather behaves) and material science (how to enhance it) is what makes Pittards unusual. They sit at the intersection of heritage tanning and modern innovation.
Why It Matters
Like J&FJ Baker, Pittards is a supply chain firm — they provide the raw material that other makers depend on. When a British glove maker needs performance leather, or a shoemaker needs a specific finish, Pittards is one of the few British sources.
The decline of British tanning threatens the entire ecosystem of leather-based crafts. If the tanneries close, the makers who depend on them must source from overseas — adding cost, reducing quality control, and severing the connection between craft and material.
The Verdict
Pittards may be the least visible firm in this directory — you'll never see their name on a product. But their leather is in thousands of products, from military kit to luxury fashion. Two hundred years of tanning knowledge, concentrated in one Somerset town.
Pros:
- 200 years of continuous leather expertise
- Advanced leather science combined with craft knowledge
- Supplies military, sport, fashion, and heritage industries
- Ethical sourcing and environmental certifications
Cons:
- Not consumer-facing (B2B primarily)
- Brand recognition is low despite the quality
Related: J&FJ Baker Review | Dents Review