Leather packings have unique characteristics that offer advantages over conventional elastometers in many applications. Primarily, leather has natural fibers woven in virtually every direction, making it extremely durable while remaining very pliable and resistant to wear over time. In short, leather packings have a longer lifespan and are easier to maintain.

Leather packings have a long shelf life, are less susceptible to extreme tempratures, and do not require lubrication. In addition, leather creates less friction, which causes less heat build up, resulting in a longer lifespan.

When impregnated with various materials such as nitrile, leather is able to take on many characteristics of the added materials, giving leather much greater versatility. Leather adapts to the mechanical supports and elements, giving a good fit, and it permits greater wear clearances than other materials.