Pittards® Leather History

Pittards® is the producer of the finest leather on earth for the active sports enthusiast. Launched in 1980, Pittards WR100 leather was the culmination of many years of exhaustive research. This research originally began with the development of specialized leathers for a number of demanding Ministry of Defense and NATO applications, such as combat gloves, pilot's gloves, and helmet linings.

Fundamental to the research were the specially selected skins of the hair sheep, a traditional material (a by-product of the meat industry) that Pittards has used for generations. Found in the sub tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America, this sheep has a remarkably soft, strong and light skin which makes it particularly appropriate for military and sporting glove applications.

The WR100 process enhances these natural characteristics and creates leathers with qualities that others still cannot match, and has also been applied to other specialist skin types to further enhance their performance. The WR100 process involves over 40 inter-related operations, each one of which has to be tuned and adjusted to ensure the final technical quality of WR100 leather.

Today's WR100X leathers have built on the original WR100 performance and improved it. Not only do they shrug off moisture and allow perspiration to escape, but this happens without any change in the structure of the leather.

Improved Abrasion Resistance with ARMOR-TAN™

• Any leather structure is made of microscopic fibrils which are randomly intertwined together to form fibre bundles.

• Pittard's ARMOR-TAN™ is a new generation of leather using chemistry which focuses on these fibril bundles within the leather structure.

• The fibril bundles are encased by microscopic ceramic "armour plates" which are more resistant to abrasion, thus increasing the durability of the leather by preventing wear on contact surfaces and materials.

• Laboratory tests, using the Martindale Abrasion test system, show that Pittard's ARMOR-TAN™ treated leathers are 25% more resistant to abrasion than untreated leathers.

Qualities of ARMOR-TAN™

• Enhanced Grip - The combination of Pittards ARMOR-TAN and Pittards DIGITAL™ textured pattern produces superior grip characteristics for the wearer in all conditions of play.

• Water Resistance - Pittards WR 100X tannage offers an improved ability to resist moisture generated by rain, humidity or working conditions, and greater insulation to protect the hands in all weathers.

• Perspiration Resistance - Pittards leather has been specially treated to prevent the absorption of moisture, including sweat, into the glove and thereby protecting the fiber structure from the detrimental effect of perspiration. Therefore, the leather retains its softness and feel even after repeated exposure.

• Exceptional Fit - Although very strong, Pittards leather ensures exceptional dexterity and flexibility through the softness and 'run' inherent in the base glove leather tannage.

For more information visit the Pittards website

Or, e-mail Mike Dodd