Fur-Lined Leather Jackets: Shearling vs Faux Fur vs Quilted Lining

Short answer: real shearling is the warmest and heaviest lining and costs the most. Faux fur is lighter and cheaper, but it traps less heat and wears faster. A quilted lining is the lightest and works best for cool rather than cold weather. If you want a leather jacket with fur inside for real winters, pick shearling. If you want mild warmth with less bulk, pick quilted.

The rest of this guide shows how to compare the three, how to tell shearling from faux fur in a shop or online listing, and how to look after each. Our leather jackets with fur category has the current range.

Fur lined, fur collar or fur hood: what are you buying?

Shoppers search for a "fur lined jacket", a "leather jacket with fur inside" or a "brown jacket with fur", and these are three different things.

• Fur lined: the whole inside of the body, and sometimes the sleeves, is lined with fur or a fur-like material.
• Fur collar: only the collar carries the fur. The body may have a plain or quilted lining.
• Fur hood: a hooded jacket with fur around the face opening.

Collar-only jackets are much lighter and easier to wear indoors. Fully lined jackets are better outside in the cold. Read the listing carefully, because a photo of a fur collar does not tell you what is under the leather.

Shearling, faux fur and quilted lining compared

These are general comparisons, not temperature ratings. Fit, layers and your own tolerance matter as much as the lining. Our guide on whether leather jackets keep you warm explains why leather alone blocks wind but does not hold heat.

How to tell real shearling from faux fur

You can often tell before you buy, and certainly on arrival.

1. Look at the backing. Real shearling has soft leather or suede on the other side of the wool. Faux fur sits on a woven or knit fabric.
2. Part the fibers. In real shearling, the wool grows from one skin, so the base looks like skin. In faux fur, you see fabric threads at the roots.
3. Check the texture. Real wool has a natural crimp, and the length varies slightly. Faux fur is often more even.
4. Read the label. Fiber content should be stated. If it is not, ask.
5. Check the price. A very low price on a full shearling lining deserves a question.

Our explainer on shearling, sheepskin and sherpa goes into the material in more detail.

What this looks like on a real jacket

Our brown sheepskin fur-lined zipper jacket is a men's sheepskin zipper jacket with a faux fur lining, or lambskin shearling if you choose it in the Fur Type option. The winter leather jacket with sheepskin lining is fully lined with fur in the same way, with the same two choices. For women, the brown shearling bomber jacket is a hooded bomber with the fur lining running through the body, in lambskin shearling or artificial fur. Check each listing for the lining description before you choose.

Choosing by how you will use it

If you are between two choices, buy for the colder day you actually face. It is easier to unzip than to add warmth.

Fit points that change with a lining

A lined jacket fits differently from an unlined one. The lining takes up space at the chest and arms, so sizing down is a mistake. Check three places: across the shoulders when you reach forward, at the biceps when you bend your arm, and at the hem when you sit. Our size chart shows where to measure, and the guide to common leather jacket sizing mistakes covers the usual errors.

Warmth versus bulk

The warmest jacket is not always the right one. A heavy shearling jacket gives you little room for layers underneath and can feel stiff when you move your arms. If you drive often, or ride, bulk becomes an issue. Faux fur or a quilted lining lets you adjust warmth with a sweater underneath instead of committing to one level. Try the jacket with the layers you will actually wear, and make sure you can lift your arms comfortably.

Care for each lining

• Shearling: brush gently when dry, let it air out when damp and avoid heat. Have it cleaned by a specialist. See our guide to washing a leather jacket with a fur lining.
• Faux fur: shake it out, comb it to prevent matting and avoid direct heat, which can melt synthetic fibers.
• Quilted lining: spot-clean the lining and let the jacket air out. Do not overstuff the pockets.

For our fur-lined jackets: wipe the leather with a soft dry cloth after wear, let it dry at room temperature away from heaters, brush the fur gently if it goes flat and condition the leather every 6 to 12 months.

When not to buy a fur-lined jacket

• You live somewhere mild, where a heavy lining will stay in the closet.
• You need a motorcycle jacket with armor, because a thick lining can push armor out of position.
• You want a jacket that you can wash at home.
• You avoid animal products. Choose faux fur or quilted, and check the outer material too.

Buying checklist

• Is the lining shearling, faux fur or quilted? The listing should say.
• Is the fur on the whole body or only the collar?
• Does the size chart allow for layers?
• Do the cuffs and hem close well to keep warmth in?

FAQs

What is the warmest lining for a leather jacket?

Real shearling is generally the warmest of the three, because the wool traps heat. It is also the heaviest.

Is a fur-lined leather jacket worth it?

Yes if you spend time outdoors in cold weather. If you spend most of the year in mild conditions, a quilted lining is a better use of money.

How can I tell real shearling from faux fur?

Check the backing. Shearling has a leather side. Faux fur has a fabric backing with visible threads at the base of the fibers.

Can I wash a jacket with a fur lining?

Do not put it in a washing machine. Follow the care label, and see our guide on washing a leather jacket with a fur lining.

Does a fur lining make a jacket too bulky?

It can. Try it on over your usual layers, and choose a lighter lining if you need free movement.

Ready to choose? Browse our leather jackets with fur.