Overview

Soft Touch Collars delivers a genuinely premium braided leather leash at a mid-range price — the full-grain leather is among the strongest materials in this comparison, and the built-in traffic handle adds practical versatility that most leather leashes lack. The brass swivel snap prevents tangling under pressure. A leather-lover's leash with real functionality.

The braided construction is what separates the Soft Touch Collars from simpler leather alternatives like the Mighty Paw. Braiding three strands of full-grain leather creates a leash body that is significantly stronger than a single flat piece of equivalent thickness, while also distributing flex stress across multiple contact points. The result is a leather leash that resists cracking at the flex points where flat leather leashes eventually fail, delivering genuine longevity that justifies the $33 investment.

Features Deep-Dive

Hand-Braided Full-Grain Leather

The three-strand braid uses full-grain leather — the outermost layer of the hide, which retains the natural grain pattern and is the strongest cut available. Full-grain leather is meaningfully different from the top-grain or genuine leather used in less expensive leashes: it has not been sanded or buffed to remove imperfections, which preserves the dense fiber structure that gives full-grain its superior tensile strength. The braided construction adds another layer of strength by distributing load across three interlocked strands rather than a single piece. Over time, the braid develops a beautiful patina as each strand wears slightly differently, creating a visual depth that flat leather cannot match. The braid also creates natural grip channels between the strands, providing tactile feedback when the leash is in your hand.

Built-In Traffic Handle

Unlike most leather leashes that offer only a single handle at the top, the Soft Touch Collars includes a dedicated traffic handle positioned near the clip. This handle is formed from a loop in the braided leather body, reinforced with stitching at both attachment points. The traffic handle transforms this from a purely aesthetic leather leash into a functional tool for urban walking — you can maintain the elegant look while having instant close-control capability in crosswalks, busy sidewalks, or when passing other dogs. This combination of leather construction and traffic handle is rare at any price point, making the Soft Touch Collars unique in our comparison.

Heavy-Duty Brass Hardware

The swivel snap is solid brass with a nickel plating for corrosion resistance. The swivel mechanism allows the leash to rotate freely at the clip point, preventing the twisting that accumulates during walks and causes flat leashes to bind. The brass weight is noticeable — this is heavier hardware than the zinc alloy clips on most competitors — but the trade-off is a clip that will not corrode in rain or coastal environments and provides a load capacity suitable for dogs up to 75 pounds. The spring tension is firm and deliberate, requiring intentional thumb pressure to open, which virtually eliminates accidental release.

Pricing Analysis

At $33, the Soft Touch Collars sits at the very top of the mid-range tier, just $7 below the Ruffwear Crag. The $4 premium over the Mighty Paw Leather at $29 buys you substantially stronger braided construction, a traffic handle, and brass hardware versus zinc alloy. Compared to the Mendota Snap Leash at $20, you trade the Mendota's rope simplicity for leather aesthetics with a traffic handle, though the Mendota's brass hardware is arguably stronger. For leather enthusiasts who want both beauty and practical versatility, the Soft Touch Collars is the only option in this comparison that delivers both without reaching premium pricing.

Who Is This For?

Soft Touch Collars Braided Leather Leash works best for:

• Owners of medium to large breeds who want a leather leash strong enough for a 50-75 pound dog that occasionally pulls, with hardware and braided construction that provide real security
• Urban leather-leash enthusiasts who want the aesthetic of leather without sacrificing the traffic handle functionality needed for city walking
• Quality-over-quantity buyers who are willing to invest $33 once rather than replacing $15 nylon leashes every year, and who appreciate materials that improve with age
• Gift buyers looking for a visually impressive, high-quality dog leash that photographs well and makes an immediate impression

Who Should NOT Use This

Soft Touch Collars Braided Leather Leash might not be the right choice if:

• You walk primarily in rain or wet conditions — braided leather requires regular conditioning to maintain suppleness, and prolonged water exposure accelerates wear. For wet climates, the Ruffwear Front Range or Crag with synthetic Tubelok webbing are more practical choices
• You need nighttime visibility — like all leather leashes in this comparison, there are no reflective elements. Evening walkers should consider the Blue-9 Multi-Function Leash or Ruffwear Crag with full-length reflective coverage
• Weight matters to you — the braided leather body plus brass hardware makes this one of the heavier leashes in the comparison. For small breeds or owners who prefer ultralight gear, a nylon option like the Ruffwear Front Range is meaningfully lighter

Bottom Line

The Soft Touch Collars Braided Leather Leash is the most beautiful leash in this comparison — and the traffic handle ensures it is not just a showpiece. The braided full-grain leather will outlast any nylon leash in the comparison, developing character rather than degradation with each passing year.

FAQ

How does braided leather compare to flat leather in strength?

Braided leather is significantly stronger than flat leather of equivalent cross-sectional area. The interlocking strands distribute force across multiple contact points, and the braid structure prevents the progressive tearing that can occur in flat leather when a single stress point develops. In practice, a braided leather leash rated for 75 pounds provides a larger safety margin than a flat leather leash rated for the same weight, because the failure mode is gradual rather than sudden.

Does the braided texture make it harder to grip?

The opposite, actually. The natural channels between the braided strands provide tactile grip points that flat leather lacks. Your fingers naturally settle into the braid pattern, creating a secure grip even without dedicated padding. In wet conditions, the braid channels also help shed water rather than becoming slippery, though prolonged soaking still requires drying and conditioning afterward.

How long does a braided leather leash last with proper care?

With regular conditioning every 2-3 months and proper drying after water exposure, a quality braided leather leash can last 5-10 years or more. The braided construction ages more gracefully than flat leather because flex stress is distributed across three strands rather than concentrating at a single point. Many owners report their braided leather leash looks better after two years of use than it did new, thanks to the patina development.