AX Laredo Synthetic Leather Material Characteristics
AX Laredo is a synthetic glove material designed as an alternative to goat and grain leather, prioritizing durability, dexterity, and a leather-like feel.
Laredo is used in applications ranging from work, tactical, motorcycle, lifestyle, fitness, ski, and snowboarding gloves.
A top priority in Laredo’s manufacturing is ensuring material consistency. The material is produced in rolls, maintaining uniform characteristics across different batches. This consistency helps product teams improve cutting efficiency, reduce material waste, and achieve predictable results, which can be challenging when working with natural leather.
Abrasion and Tear Resistance of AX Laredo 0.75mm
Laredo is designed with specific performance qualities that focus on abrasion and tear resistance. Laredo, in its 0.75mm thickness, underwent third-party EN388 and ANSI/ISEA testing and resulted in the following scores:
Laredo 0.75mm
EN388
| Abrasion | Level 3 |
| Tear | Level 3 |
ANSI/ISEA 105-2016
| Abrasion | Level 5 |
Third-party test results are for reference only and should not be used to certify gloves.
Performance Features of AX Laredo for Gloves
These test results provide product teams with objective data for selecting a material that meets their specific abrasion or tear requirements. The levels achieved in this 0.75mm testing traditionally support palms and high-wear zones that withstand repeated contact with controls, tools, and rough surfaces. At the same time, its knit polyester base adds flexibility and stretch, allowing the material to move with the hand during grip-and-release cycles. This balance helps Laredo deliver a responsive feel in demanding applications.
Breathability is a key advantage of Laredo’s features. Laredo in 0.75mm consists of 85% polyester knit and only 15% polyurethane (PU), which allows heat and moisture to escape more easily. This results in a drier grip and greater comfort during warm-weather use or high-intensity activities.
How Do We Test Breathability?
| Material Type | Breathability (g/m2/24hr) Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96 E /96M -2016 |
| AX Non-Pu Suede | 3,055 |
| AX PU Grain | 1,097 |
| Goat Grain Leather | 912 |
| Cow Grain Leather | 465 |
Laredo is also available with AX Connect touchscreen technology. When the touchscreen zone maintains direct contact with the user’s skin, the wearer can operate a smartphone or other device without removing the glove.
AX Laredo Thickness Options and Applications
Laredo is available in three thicknesses, each designed for a different balance of dexterity, durability, and structure.
Laredo 0.55mm: Precision and Dexterity
The 0.55mm version of Laredo is s available exclusively in recycled content and is intended for applications where fine motor control and a slim profile are priorities. It is well-suited to precision work gloves, technical motorcycle styles, and lightweight outdoor designs.
Laredo 0.75mm: Core Performance for Everyday Use
The 0.75mm construction is available in two options: RPET, which contains recycled content sourced from post-consumer water bottles, and virgin polyester, which serves as the core performance choice. This material is ideal for work, tactical, motorcycle, fitness, ski, and snowboarding gloves that require reliable abrasion and tear resistance while still allowing comfortable and flexible hand movement.
Additionally, it can be used for pant components, jacket panels, and other wear zones that need a balance of structure and flexibility.
Laredo 0.90 mm: Heavy Duty Applications
Laredo in 0.90mm is made with virgin polyester and provides additional support for heavy-duty work gloves, motorcycle designs, jackets, and outerwear panels exposed to repeated abrasion.
Although it is the thickest option in the range, the knit base helps preserve flexibility and comfort. It is appropriate when a design needs more structure, but without a bulky feel.
Recycled Content, PFAS-Free Options, and Chemical Compliance
Laredo helps brands address sustainability goals and chemical-compliance priorities. Its RPET versions are RCS-certified and contain 54% recycled content sourced from post-consumer bottles.
Both recycled and non-recycled versions can be specified with C0 water-resistant chemistry. The PFAS-free finish provides water resistance without relying on legacy fluorinated treatments, helping product teams respond to evolving requirements in North America and Europe.
Laredo is also OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which is one of seven certifications offered by OEKO-TEX®, a global organization dedicated to testing textiles and leather products for harmful substances. This certification is among the most trusted in product safety, ensuring materials are free from thousands of substances deemed unsafe to both human health and the environment.
Durability is also part of the sustainability equation. Materials that withstand repeated abrasion and daily use can help extend product life and reduce replacement frequency. By combining proven performance, recycled-content options, and PFAS-free water resistance, Laredo helps brands make more responsible material choices without sacrificing high-performance product requirements.
AX Laredo Colors, Textures, and Design Options
Laredo is designed to deliver consistent quality appearance as well as technical performance. Its smooth grain and consistent surface create a premium, leather-like aesthetic across industries.
Designers can select from foil patterns including 03-2, 416, and 420. These textures help tune the material to the application, from a more rugged look for high-wear work areas to a finer finish for lifestyle and snow-sport designs.
The core color range includes solution-dyed black and tan, with additional options including Castlerock, Grey 17-000TPX, Light Grey, Olive Drab, Turtledove, Wheat, and White. This range allows product teams to coordinate glove materials with brand palettes, team colors, or seasonal collections while maintaining consistency from lot to lot.
Laredo LM uses a low-migration coloring process that helps limit color transfer into adjacent foams, linings, and branding elements, especially when a design combines a vivid outer color with a lighter interior: LM is only available in 0416 foil pattern.
Together, the emboss and color options allow designers to create distinctive collections without separating appearance from performance. A tactical glove can use a deep tone and a textured surface, while a motorcycle glove can incorporate a contrasting color and a refined finish with greater control over migration.
When to Use Laredo in Glove Design
AX Laredo is a strong choice when a glove requires:
✔️ Consistent material characteristics from batch to batch
✔️ A premium, leather-like appearance
✔️ Tested Abrasion and Tear performance
✔️ Breathability
✔️ Optional PFAS-free C0 WR treatments
✔️ Optional touchscreen compatibility
✔️ Recycled-content options
✔️ Multiple thicknesses for different performance targets
✔️ Color and emboss options for collection-level design flexibility
Laredo provides measurable performance targets, a more consistent construction, and the flexibility to build unified collections across technical and lifestyle categories. Stay ahead in a competitive market and explore Laredo to ensure your gloves are ready for what lies ahead.