Nylon leads do not really wear in, they just wear out, going stiff and rough at exactly the point where your hand sits. Leather goes the other way. A thickened hide lead starts firm, then softens where you hold it while keeping its shape everywhere else, which is why one good one tends to outlive a drawer full of fabric replacements bought a fiver at a time.

This one is cut at 120cm long and 1.5cm wide, with neat edge stitching down both sides and a polished metal trigger clip at the end. That width is the working detail: narrow enough to fold comfortably into a closed hand, broad enough to spread the shock of a sudden lunge across your palm instead of concentrating it into a thin line. Five colours are available, in black, dark red, light brown, lake blue and pink.

• Genuine leather, thickened for wear resistance
• 120cm long by 1.5cm wide
• Edge-stitched along both sides
• Polished metal trigger clip
• Five colours: black, dark red, light brown, lake blue and pink

Leather needs a little looking after. Repeated soakings followed by radiator drying are what crack a lead, so if it gets wet through, let it dry away from direct heat and give it a wipe of conditioner every few months. We would also say plainly that the clip is the weakest link on any lead, whatever it is made of. Check the spring gate every few weeks, and retire the lead if it starts to feel loose or slow to close.

Who it's for: Owners of medium and large dogs who want a single lead that improves with age rather than a cheap one replaced every year.