Leather strap made from cowhide
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Cowhide leather straps are among the most versatile materials in medieval craftsmanship – whether used as belt blanks, lacing, hangers or a base material for your own projects. If you know what matters when it comes to tanning, thickness and width, you’ll make the right choice for every purpose.
What is a leather strap? Terms and basics
A leather strap – also known in the craft trade as a leather strip, belt strap or simply a strap – is a narrow, elongated cut of tanned animal hide. This category exclusively features straps made from cowhide, the most commonly used leather in medieval crafts.
The terms are largely interchangeable in everyday language, but in craftsmanship they denote different characteristics: straps and leather strips generally refer to flat, rectangular pieces. A strap (also known as a ‘riester’ in historical craftsmanship) often refers to wider variants used to carry loads or connect pieces of armour. Square straps, on the other hand, have a square cross-section – they are particularly suitable for lacing, braiding and attachments.
Why cowhide? The outer layer of cowhide combines strength, sufficient thickness and a long lifespan – a combination rarely achieved by other types of leather such as sheep or goatskin. Cowhide is therefore the first choice for medieval belts and straps, as well as for armour components.
Vegetable-tanned cowhide straps: what’s behind them?
Not all leather is the same – the tanning method determines a strap’s behaviour, workability and durability. There are essentially two main processes: vegetable (plant-based) tanning and chrome tanning.
Chrome-tanned leather is soft, uniform in colour and inexpensive to produce – it dominates the industrial market. Vegetable-tanned leather, on the other hand, is treated with plant-based tanning agents (tree bark, gallnuts). The result is a firmer, stiffer material that can be shaped using heat and moisture, absorbs colour and oil particularly well, and develops a characteristic patina over time.
For medieval re-enactment and historically oriented projects, vegetable-tanned leather is the better choice for several reasons: it corresponds to the historical state of leather technology up to the early 20th century, can be worked, punched and embossed using simple tools – and, after years of use, displays precisely the natural ageing pattern that closely resembles a well-maintained original find. All leather straps from our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, in this category are vegetable-tanned cowhide straps – free from synthetic additives.
Applications: What are leather straps used for?
The classic introduction to leatherwork: cut a strap to the desired width (20 mm, 30 mm or 50 mm) and the appropriate length, shape the ends or cut them at an angle, punch a hole for the pin – and your belt blank is ready. You’ll find matching medieval buckles for belts and bags in various widths in the shop. For those who want to delve deeper: fittings, rivets and ring buckles can be easily riveted or sewn on.
Leather straps are the traditional fastenings for armour components. Medieval vambraces, shoulder plates and chainmail straps have been secured with leather straps for centuries. Straps 3–4 mm thick are particularly well suited to this purpose – they do not give way under load, yet remain flexible enough to ensure comfort.
For individual components in bag-making, narrower straps (15 mm) are required for handles, flaps or fastening straps. Belt pouches, bag hangers and knife holders are also made using leather strips. The 2-metre roll is sufficient for most bag projects without any waste.
Narrow leather strips serve as a robust alternative to textile laces wherever durability is key: boot laces, sleeve fastenings, tent seams or attachment loops on camping equipment. Vegetable-tanned straps have an advantage here – they stretch less than chrome-tanned ones and retain their shape even when wet.
The square-section strap is the specialist material among leather straps. It can be woven into patterns, threaded through round eyelets as lacing, and used for decorative attachments – such as on jewellery, amulets or belt embellishments. In this category, square-section straps are available on practical 50-metre rolls.
Colours: From natural to black
Natural brown
Natural brown is the undyed or minimally treated variant – the most historically accurate choice for re-enactment and medieval markets from the Early to the Late Middle Ages. The colour develops a unique patina over time and complements all earthy garment colours.
Light brown & dark brown
Light brown straps harmonise with light-coloured garments made of linen and natural wool. Dark brown has a more robust appearance and goes well with dark coats, woollen fabrics and tanned armour pieces. Both shades are equally suitable for LARP and re-enactment.
Black
Black leather straps are particularly popular in LARP, for fantasy costumes and for later periods. Black is also the most practical choice for technical armour work or modern stage and film costumes. Combine them with matching medieval bag and belt fittings.
Gluing, working with and caring for leather straps
- Gluing: For clean adhesive joints (e.g. on double-layered belts or glued-on fittings), use contact adhesive for leather. Roughen the bonding area beforehand with coarse sandpaper and degrease with acetone or isopropyl alcohol. Apply adhesive to both surfaces, press briefly, then press firmly.
- Cutting: A straight edge and a sharp craft knife or a special leather cutter produce clean, straight edges. Work on a cutting mat to prevent the blade from pulling.
- Finishing the edges: Bevel freshly cut edges with an edge beveler, then polish with a bone folder or scraps of linen fabric – this gives a professional finish and prevents fraying.
- Leather grease: Regular care with leather grease (e.g. deer tallow or neutral grease) keeps the leather supple and protects against drying out. Apply sparingly, allow to absorb, then wipe off any excess.
- Beeswax: Beeswax offers additional protection against moisture without impairing the leather’s breathability – ideal for straps that are subjected to heavy wear and tear when used outdoors.
- Storage: Store in a dry place away from direct light; do not wrap in plastic. Vegetable-tanned leather ‘breathes’ and needs air. You can find suitable leather dye and leather grease in the shop.
Widths, thicknesses and shapes: Making the right choice
| Width | Thickness | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mm | approx. 3–4 mm | Lace straps, bag handles, amulet pendants, narrow belt styles |
| 20 mm | approx. 3–4 mm | General-purpose belts, sheath straps for knives, belt pouch attachments |
| 30 mm | approx. 3–4 mm | Classic medieval belt, armour straps, pouch hangers |
| 50 mm | approx. 3–4 mm | Wide weapon belts, shoulder straps, ceremonial straps |
| Rectangular straps | Square | Braided items, lacing, attachments, 50-metre rolls for larger requirements |
The thickness of approx. 3–4 mm is an important quality feature: straps that are too thin lose their shape under constant strain, whilst those that are too thick are difficult to punch and bend. This range has historically proven itself for belts and armour work. All straps are supplied in practical 2-metre units – sufficient for a standard belt with offcuts.
By the metre and in rolls: For larger requirements
Anyone who regularly sells handmade goods at markets, is planning larger projects, or processes leather straps as a retailer is better off opting for the 50-metre roll of square-edged straps. The price per metre is significantly lower for the roll than for individual straps – individual straps (approx. 2 m) start at around €10.92, whilst the 50-metre roll is available from €50.41.
For complete belt and bag projects, we recommend combining this with other supplies from the shop: medieval buckles suitable for 30 mm straps, rivets, rings and spreader bars, as well as bag and belt fittings – all from a single source.
Note: Leather is a natural product. Slight colour variations between different batches and natural differences in grain are not a quality defect, but a characteristic of the material.
Whether you’re looking for a single belt blank or need leather straps in larger quantities for markets and crafts – in this category you’ll find vegetable-tanned cowhide straps in standard widths, colours and lengths for historical crafts, LARP and DIY projects.
Frequently asked questions
Leather strips and leather straps essentially refer to the same thing: a narrow, elongated cut of tanned animal hide. In craftsmanship, the term ‘strap’ is more commonly used when the material is used for a functional purpose (belts, fastenings), whilst ‘leather strip’ tends to describe the raw cut. Synonyms in historical craftsmanship include ‘gurt’ and ‘riester’.
Vegetable-tanned leather is treated with natural tanning agents derived from tree bark and gallnuts. It is stronger, more malleable and takes to care and dye better than chrome-tanned leather. For medieval re-enactment, it is the historically more accurate choice – moreover, it can be worked well with simple tools and develops a natural patina.
For simple everyday belts and belt pouches, a width of 20–30 mm is recommended. Formal weapon belts or wide display belts are often made with 50 mm straps. Narrower 15 mm straps are suitable for lacing, bag handles and amulet hangers. It is also crucial that the strap width matches the chosen buckle.
For leather, contact adhesive from a leather supply shop (e.g. neoprene-based) is suitable. Roughen the bonding areas beforehand with coarse sandpaper and degrease them with acetone or isopropyl alcohol. Apply a thin coat to both surfaces, allow to air-dry briefly, then press firmly together and leave to dry. Vegetable-tanned leather bonds particularly well, as its surface is more porous than that of chrome-tanned leather.
If you regularly undertake leatherwork, sell your crafts at markets or are planning several projects, the 50-metre roll offers significantly better value for money. The price per metre for the roll is considerably lower than that of a single strap (approx. 2 m). For occasional individual projects, the 2-metre strap in the desired width and colour is perfectly adequate.