Hermès Togo vs. Swift: What's the difference?

The choice between Hermès Togo and Swift leather comes down to texture and durability. Togo is a pebbled, scratch-resistant calfskin with a matte finish, making it a robust and more practical choice for daily use. Swift leather, on the other hand, is a smooth, fine-grained calfskin with a soft, lustrous sheen that feels more delicate and is best suited for special occasions.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you decide which iconic leather fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

Hermès Togo Leather

Togo is one of Hermès' most popular and enduring leathers, known for its exceptional resilience and classic appearance. Introduced in 1997, this calfskin leather is characterized by its distinct pebbled grain that is both visible and tangible. Prized for its ability to hold its shape while remaining soft to the touch, Togo is a go-to choice for frequently used bags like the Birkin and Kelly.

• What it is: A full-grain, processed calfskin recognized for its pronounced pebbling and durability.
• Key features: Natural-looking raised grain, matte finish, substantial feel, excellent shape retention, scratch resistance.
• Texture: A defined and slightly irregular pebbled surface that gives it a rich, textured look and feel.
• Durability: Highly resistant to scratches and everyday wear. The textured grain effectively conceals minor marks and scuffs, making maintenance relatively easy.
• Pros: Extremely durable and perfect for daily use. The pebbled texture helps hide imperfections. It's relatively low-maintenance and holds the bag’s structure well.
• Cons: Tends to be one of the heavier leathers due to its thickness. Some pieces can show prominent veining, which is a natural characteristic but may not appeal to everyone.

This is the perfect leather for anyone wanting a durable, low-maintenance handbag that stands up to daily wear and tear without sacrificing luxury.

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Hermès Swift Leather

Formerly known as Gulliver leather, Swift is a fine-grain calfskin famous for its incredible softness and lustrous finish. Its surface is smooth with a very subtle grain, giving it a polished and elegant appearance. Swift is also known for absorbing dye exceptionally well, resulting in colors that appear more vibrant and saturated than on textured leathers.

• What it is: A smooth, fine-grained calfskin with a semi-matte sheen and incredibly soft touch.
• Key features: Sleek and smooth surface, lightweight feel, vibrant color payoff, gentle luster.
• Texture: Silky and smooth to the touch, with a consistent surface that lacks any noticeable pebbling.
• Durability: Swift is a more delicate leather that is prone to scratches and scuffs. While minor surface scratches can often be buffed out by a specialist, it requires more conscious care than Togo.
• Pros: Incredibly soft and luxurious feel. Its lightweight nature makes it comfortable to carry. The colors appear brilliant and intense. It has a sophisticated, dressy look.
• Cons: Scratches easily and requires careful handling. It is less structured and can slouch in larger sizes. More susceptible to water spots and stains.

Ideal for those who value a refined, polished aesthetic for more formal occasions and are willing to handle their bag with extra care.

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Hermès Togo vs. Swift Comparison

Texture & Appearance

The most immediate difference between Togo and Swift is how they look and feel. Togo has a visible and tangible pebbled grain, giving it a natural, textured appearance with a matte finish. This texture feels substantial and can vary slightly from skin to skin, adding to its unique character. It provides a timeless look that is rugged yet refined.

In contrast, Swift leather is almost perfectly smooth with a fine, uniform grain that provides a gentle sheen. It exudes sophistication and elegance. This smoothness allows it to absorb color dyes brilliantly, making hues appear more vibrant and saturated compared to the slightly more muted effect seen on Togo’s textured surface.

Durability & Maintenance

When it comes to durability, Togo is the clear winner for everyday use. Its inherent scratch-resistance and textured surface make it incredibly forgiving of minor bumps and scuffs. It's a true workhorse leather that requires minimal fuss, perfect for a bag that will see constant rotation in your wardrobe.

Swift leather is significantly more delicate. Its smooth surface shows scratches, scuffs, and even finger marks more readily. It needs to be handled with care to maintain its pristine appearance. While Hermès can often expertly restore minor damage, Swift is simply not designed for the same level of rigorous use as Togo.

Structure & Weight

Togo is a thicker and more rigid leather, which allows it to maintain the structure of a handbag exceptionally well over time. This quality also contributes to its weight, making Togo bags feel more substantial. If you want a non-structured, droopy look in your Birkin or your Kelly, be sure to avoid new Togo leather.

Swift is a lighter-weight and softer leather. While this makes it pleasant to the touch, it offers less structure. In a larger bag, Swift may have a more relaxed, slouchy posture compared to the firm silhouette maintained by Togo.

Best Use Cases

Togo is the practical choice for a hardworking, everyday luxury bag. It's ideally suited for iconic models like the Birkin and Kelly that are meant to be used and loved for years. Its durability ensures it can withstand the demands of daily life, travel, and constant errands without showing major signs of wear.

Swift excels in smaller leather goods, clutches, and bags intended for more formal or careful use, like an evening bag like a Kelly Pochette or a statement piece you bring out on special occasions. Its vibrant color saturation and elegant finish make it a perfect choice when appearance and finish are the top priorities.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both are exceptional Hermès leathers, but your choice should align with your lifestyle priorities.

Choose Togo if:

• You plan to use your bag daily and want something highly durable.
• You prefer a resilient leather that hides scratches and scuffs well.
• You appreciate a classic, textured aesthetic with a natural, matte finish.
• You want a bag that will hold its shape and structure a decade from now without specific care.

Choose Swift if:

• You want a handbag for evenings, special events, or less frequent use.
• You love a sleek, polished look and an incredibly soft touch.
• You're happy to handle your belongings gently to prevent scratches.
• You prioritize vibrant, deeply saturated colors in your handbag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Hermès Togo and Swift?

The primary difference is texture and durability. Togo is a pebbled, scratch-resistant leather with a matte finish designed for regular use. Swift is a smooth, fine-grained leather with a slight sheen that is more delicate and better suited for special occasions.

Which leather is better for a Birkin or Kelly bag?

Both are extremely popular choices, but for different reasons. Togo is the more popular choice for an everyday Birkin or Kelly due to its superior durability and scratch resistance. For evening use, many clients who appreciate a more elegant, dressed-up appearance choose Swift leather, even though it requires more care.

Is Togo leather heavy?

Yes, compared to other Hermès leathers like Epsom or Swift, Togo is one of the heavier options due to its thickness. This weight contributes to its durable structure.

Does Swift leather scratch easily?

Yes, Swift is a delicate leather, and its smooth surface makes it susceptible to scratches and scuffs. With professional care, minor marks can often be refurbished.

How do you care for Togo leather?

Togo is remarkably low-maintenance. Keep it dry, store it properly in its dust bag with stuffing to maintain its shape, and have it cleaned professionally as needed. Its natural grain hides most minor wear.

Which leather holds color better?

Swift leather is renowned for making colors pop. Its smooth surface absorbs dye exceptionally well, resulting in deep, brilliant, and luminous hues that seem to glow. Togo also offers beautiful colors, but the textured, matte surface presents them in a slightly more subdued way.

Does Togo leather soften over time?

Yes. While Togo starts out a little stiff, it ages beautifully, becoming softer and more supple with wear without collapsing or losing its overall shape.

Is one leather more expensive than the other?

At the point-of-sale from Hermès, the price of the bag is determined primarily by the style and hardware, not necessarily the basic leather. There is no immediate pricing difference when it comes to leather at your appointment at Hermès. On the resale market, however, Togo often maintains a strong, stable demand - and a higher premium - for classic Birkins and Kellys due to its longevity and reputation for durability.