Cabretta is sheepskin, and the most common golf glove material because it is thin and inexpensive. It also stretches and absorbs moisture, which is why the glove feels loose after a handful of rounds. Reindeer leather is just as thin, but its fibre structure is denser: it resists moisture more effectively, holds its shape for longer and moulds to the hand instead of stretching loose. Northgrip makes its gloves from reindeer leather, a by-product of reindeer husbandry in Finland and Sweden.
Where the leathers come from
Cabretta is the name for hairless sheepskin. It is produced industrially in large volumes, and almost every golf glove on the market is made from it. The material is naturally thin and soft, which makes it an easy choice for manufacturers.
Reindeer leather is a by-product of reindeer husbandry. Reindeer aren't raised for their hide, so the material is always limited and every skin is different. We tan the leather ourselves, which lets us tune the thickness and feel specifically for a golf glove — it takes more work, but the result is better.
Moisture is a golf glove's biggest test
A golf glove gets damp on every round — from sweat, dew or rain. Cabretta absorbs moisture and doesn't release it easily, so the glove starts to feel wet and grip suffers as the round goes on.
Reindeer leather resists moisture effectively and stays drier. In practice this means your grip on the club feels the same from the first tee to the last green.
Shape and lifespan
A cabretta glove stretches with use. Fit is good on the first few rounds, but the shape starts to change within the very first round, and the glove begins to feel loose.
Reindeer leather's denser fibre structure withstands hard wear. The leather moulds to the hand over the first few holes, but doesn't stretch out of shape the same way. That's the whole point of the product: one glove that keeps its feel for as long as possible.
When cabretta is enough
If you play a handful of rounds a season in dry weather and your hands don't sweat at all, cabretta is a workable, affordable choice. Reindeer leather is the better glove even then: it keeps its fit and feel round after round — the difference isn't something that only appears in tough conditions.
In brief
- Cabretta = sheepskin imported from Africa, Asia or South America — cheap, soft, stretches and absorbs moisture.
- Reindeer leather = a by-product of reindeer husbandry, moulds to the hand, resists moisture, holds its shape.
- Northgrip tans the reindeer leather itself, in Finland.
- The difference is there on every round — most visible with sweaty hands and in humid weather.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does a golf glove stretch loose?
- Usually the material. Cabretta sheepskin stretches under load and absorbs moisture, so the glove changes shape within the first rounds and starts to feel loose.
- Is reindeer leather better than cabretta for a golf glove?
- Yes, clearly. Reindeer leather has a denser fibre structure than cabretta, so the glove keeps its shape, the grip stays secure, and the glove lasts longer. This doesn't depend on conditions: reindeer is the better choice on every round, not only in the wet or under hard wear. Cabretta feels soft at purchase but stretches and wears out noticeably faster.
- Does a reindeer leather golf glove work in the rain?
- Your grip holds even in light rain — reindeer leather sheds moisture instead of absorbing it the way cabretta does. In heavy rain, of course, no thin leather glove stays completely dry, but a reindeer leather glove stays markedly drier and keeps its grip secure. When it dries, it returns to its shape without stiffening, while cabretta stretches and hardens after a single rain round and needs replacing.
Golf glove fit — why feel disappears in the wrong size
The right size decides how much you feel through the club. Three measurements, the between-sizes rule and how reindeer leather settles in.
How long a golf glove lasts — and what shortens its life
A glove wears through in the end — but poor care shortens its life far sooner. How to extend its life round after round.
The most durable golf glove — where durability actually comes from
Durability isn't thickness; it's fibre structure and seams. Where a glove fails first and what to look for before buying.
Golf glove for sweaty hands — what keeps grip in summer heat
Sweat isn't a minor annoyance; it's why grip fails mid-round. How the material decides the outcome.
The best feel through the club — thin leather or strong grip
Feel isn't softness. It's thin leather that stays put — and that's where most gloves fail.
Reindeer leather golf glove — where to buy and what you get
There isn't much reindeer leather on the market. What Finnish manufacturing means in practice, and where to buy the glove.