Deerskin or goatskin: which Lederhose suits me?

At Gössl, deerskin is the first choice for a traditional Lederhose. It comes from hunting and is worked in a particularly robust quality. Goatskin offers a more affordable way to begin, without giving anything away in handfeel. Both kinds of leather are chamois-tanned exclusively at Gössl.

The differences lie above all in the origin, the colours, the design and in the way the leather develops as it is worn. Which Lederhose suits you therefore depends on your ideas and your budget.

Deerskin and goatskin at a glance

Why is deerskin the first choice at Gössl?

The stag is regarded as the king of the forest. For Gössl, its hide stands at the beginning of the Lederhose we recommend as our first choice: robust in the leather, supple in the hand and closely bound up with Alpine Tracht.

The deerskin for our Lederhosen comes from hunting. Working the hide brings a valuable leather into long-term use. From it a Gwand is made that can be worn for many years.

Gössl uses particularly thick deerskin. Together with the chamois tanning, this gives our deerskin Lederhosen their characteristic handfeel. If you wish to acquire a Lederhose as a companion for many years and have the corresponding budget in mind, you will find our first recommendation here.

Is a Lederhose in goatskin a good alternative?

Yes. The Gössl goatskin Lederhose is a high-quality alternative for everyone who would like to begin more affordably. In its pleasant handfeel it does not fall short of deerskin. Here too we use exclusively chamois-tanned leather.

It has a character of its own: the colour Steingrau and restrained embroidery give it a quiet appearance that can be combined in many ways.

Choosing goat is therefore a deliberate decision within the Gössl range. It combines a more affordable start with the same demands on tanning and making that we place on our Lederhosen.

How do deerskin and goatskin differ in handfeel?

The difference is best judged when trying them on in person. Take the leather between your fingers, move in the trousers and note how they sit on the body.

The particularly thick deerskin from Gössl conveys a robust and at the same time supple handfeel. Our goatskin does not fall short of it in how pleasant it feels. The more affordable price therefore does not mean that you have to do without a beautiful handfeel.

For your choice you should therefore also consider colour, design and how the fit develops later on.

Which colours are available at Gössl?

At Gössl the two kinds of leather are deliberately distinguished by their colours. You will find our deerskin Lederhosen in Altschwarz, Birke and Eiche, the goatskin Lederhose in Steingrau. Which colour is available depends on the respective model.

Steingrau gives the goatskin Lederhose an expression of its own. The colour can be combined with a light Pfoad, the traditional shirt, just as well as with a Gilet or Janker.

Choose the colour with the Gwand you already own in mind wherever possible. In this way a combination arises that fits naturally into your wardrobe.

How does the embroidery differ?

With the deerskin Lederhosen the design ranges, depending on the model, from a plain execution to elaborate embroidery. You can thus decide how prominently the hand-worked decoration should stand in the foreground.

The embroidery on the Gössl goatskin Lederhose is kept more restrained. It accompanies the shape of the trousers and leaves room for the Steingrau leather surface.

Less decoration does not mean less care. What matters is which design suits you: a quiet Lederhose for many combinations, or a model whose embroidery deliberately draws attention to itself.

Does goatskin stretch more than deerskin?

The goatskin used by Gössl stretches somewhat more over time than our deerskin. This should already be taken into account when choosing the size.

Both kinds of leather give way as they are worn and adapt to the body. We therefore recommend choosing a new Lederhose as close-fitting as possible at first – particularly at the seat and thighs. It should nevertheless still close and allow walking and sitting down without pain.

With the goatskin Lederhose it is especially important not to allow for additional width at the fitting. Let us advise you if you are between two sizes.

What does chamois tanning mean for your choice?

At Gössl the tanning is a shared basis of quality for both kinds of leather. Whether deer or goat: for our Lederhosen only chamois-tanned leather is considered.

Fish oils, known as train oils, are used for the tanning. This working gives the leather its velvety, supple character. We tell more about it in our story about the Gössl Lederhose.

At Gössl you are thus deciding between two kinds of leather with different properties that meet the same demands on this traditional tanning.

Which Lederhose suits which expectations?

Choose deerskin if you would like to decide on Gössl's first choice. Its origin in hunting, the particularly robust leather and the selection of models with varying degrees of elaborate design shape its character.

Choose goatskin if you are looking for a more affordable start and if Steingrau and restrained embroidery appeal to you. You do not have to make any concessions in handfeel. Simply bear in mind that the trousers gain somewhat more width over time.

You should try on both versions in the appropriate size. A high-quality Lederhose gives pleasure above all when it fits well and you enjoy wearing it.

Can both Lederhosen be taken in later?

Yes. If your Gössl Lederhose has become too wide, you can have it taken in by us. This applies to deerskin as well as to goatskin.

For smaller adjustments at the waistband, the width can be regulated at the back. If this option is not sufficient, a fitting will show which alteration makes sense. For this, please contact the Gössl store of your choice.

Frequent questions about deerskin and goatskin

Is deerskin always the better choice?

At Gössl, deerskin is our first recommendation for a traditional Lederhose. The goatskin Lederhose is, however, also a high-quality choice – particularly for a more affordable start. What matters are your wishes regarding colour, design and budget.

Does goatskin feel less soft?

Not in the qualities selected by Gössl: our chamois-tanned goatskin does not fall short of deerskin in its pleasant handfeel. It is best to compare the two versions in person.

How do you recognise the Gössl goatskin Lederhose?

Its own distinctive colour is Steingrau, and its embroidery is designed more restrainedly. The respective product description gives certainty about the kind of leather.

Should a goatskin Lederhose be bought tighter?

At Gössl a new Lederhose should generally sit close and near the body. Since our goatskin gives way somewhat more over time, a careful fitting is especially important. Even so, do not simply buy one standard size smaller across the board.

Which version is suitable as a first Lederhose?

Both are worth considering. Deerskin is our first choice if you allow for the corresponding budget. Goatskin offers a more affordable start with a pleasant handfeel, chamois tanning and a deliberately restrained design.

Find your Lederhose at Gössl

Deer or goat can be compared on the screen – the handfeel and the fit are best experienced at a fitting.

Discover our Lederhosen in the online shop or visit one of our Gössl stores. We will show you the differences and help you find the Lederhose that suits you.

From masters for connoisseurs.