Shearling Coats Guide: Real Sheepskin, Fit, Warmth & Care

Q: Can shearling get wet?

A little snow or a short shower is fine. Avoid soaking it, and if it gets wet let it dry slowly at room temperature away from direct heat.

The Schaefer Guide · Shearling

By the Schaefer Outfitter team, Texas · Updated November 5, 2026 · Materials and features pulled directly from our product pages

A real shearling coat is the warmest, longest-lasting coat most people will ever own. It is one natural material doing two jobs, with suede outside to stop the wind and dense wool inside to hold your heat. Treat it right and it really can outlive you.

Because shearling is an investment, it pays to know what you are buying. This guide explains what shearling is, how it compares to sherpa and faux, how much coverage you need for your winters and how to care for it.

Shop Men's Coats Shop Women's Coats

Bitterroot Shearling Coat with fur-lined collar and button front

Women’s Long Shearling Coat in chestnut with tie belt and fur collar

Model in the dark brown Beartooth Shearling Coat

From left: Bitterroot Shearling Coat, Women's Long Shearling Coat, Beartooth Shearling Coat.

What is shearling?
Shearling vs. sherpa vs. faux
Coverage scale
Quick picks
The coats
Spec table
Fit
Care
FAQ

What Is Shearling?

Shearling is a sheepskin that has been tanned with the wool still attached. The skin side is finished into suede or leather and becomes the outside of the coat. The wool side is trimmed to an even pile and becomes the lining. Because it is a single piece of natural material, nothing is glued or stitched together between the outside and the warmth.

That construction is why shearling works so well in Western winters. Wool traps heat but also breathes and moves moisture, so you do not end up clammy while you work. The suede side blocks wind. And the whole hide is tough enough to handle years of chores, saddles and truck seats.

Shearling vs. Sherpa vs. Faux Shearling

	Real shearling	Sherpa lining	Faux shearling
What it is	Sheepskin tanned with the wool on	A soft pile fabric, usually polyester, sewn in as a lining	Synthetic pile bonded to a faux suede face
Warmth	Very high; breathes and regulates temperature	Good; depends on the shell it lines	Moderate
Breathability	Excellent	Fair	Low; can feel clammy
Weight	Heavy	Light	Light to medium
Lifespan	Decades with care	Pile mats over years	Shorter
Care	Professional cleaning	Often machine washable	Varies
At Schaefer	Bitterroot, Beartooth, Women's Long, Women's Shearling Jacket	Women's Sherpa Lined Denim Jacket	None

How to tell real shearling: part the wool down to the base. Real shearling grows out of skin. Synthetic pile grows out of a woven or knit backing. Real shearling also has a soft, natural suede face on the outside, while faux versions often feel plasticky or uniform.

The Coverage Scale

The more shearling surrounds you, the warmer the coat. Here is our line from a shearling accent to head-to-knee sheepskin.

Shearling accentFull-length shearling

Shearling CollarWool or suede body, shearling at the neck

Wool Coat with Shearling Collar
Women's Suede Coat with Toscana Collar

CroppedFull shearling, waist length

Women's Shearling Jacket

Hip LengthFull shearling past the belt

Bitterroot Shearling Coat
Beartooth Shearling Coat

Full LengthShoulder to hem

Women's Long Shearling Coat

Quick Picks

The classic men's shearlingBitterroot Shearling Coat

Working cold countryBeartooth Shearling Coat

Coldest winters, for herWomen's Long Shearling Coat

With jeans, for herWomen's Shearling Jacket

A statement for townWomen's Suede Coat with Toscana Collar

Shearling warmth, wool priceWool Coat with Shearling Collar

The Coats, One by One

Bitterroot Shearling Coat

Hip length · Classic

An instant classic that blends a timeless silhouette with premium shearling and nothing extra. Lower-hip length covers your seat on a cold truck bench, and drop-in hand pockets keep your fingers warm. This is the coat your grandkids will fight over.

Material: 100% shearling
Length: Lower hip
Fit: Classic, true to size

Best for
Town & ranch
Heirloom gift
Dry cold

Shop the Bitterroot →

Beartooth Shearling Coat

Hip length · Working

Named for Montana's Beartooth Mountains and built with the backbone to match. Thick shearling for serious protection in frigid temperatures, four front pockets for work and Schaefer construction made to hold up through decades of hard wear.

Material: 100% shearling
Length: Lower hip
Pockets: 4 front

Best for
Frigid mornings
Ranch work
Northern winters

Shop the Beartooth →

Taupe plaid wool coat with white shearling collar

Wool Coat with Shearling Collar

Shearling collar · Everyday

Shearling where you feel the wind most, at your neck, on a 22 oz Melton wool coat with a quilted liner. Snap-out riding vents, adjustable snap cuffs, Western yokes front and back and a collar that closes with a leather button loop.

Shell: 22 oz Melton wool
Collar: Shearling, leather loop
Lining: Quilted

Best for
Riding
Everyday winter
First warm coat

Shop the Wool Coat →

Women’s long chestnut shearling coat with belt tie and fur collar

Women's Long Shearling Coat

Full length · Heirloom

A future heirloom. A full-length cut in 100% suede shearling brings warmth from shoulder to hem, with a high-pile collar, a belted waist to shape the fit, Western yokes front and back, horn-inspired buttons and roomy side-entry pockets.

Material: 100% suede shearling
Length: Full length
Standout: Belted waist, Western yokes

Best for
Deep cold
Holidays
Heirloom gift

Shop the Long Shearling →

Women’s cropped brown shearling jacket with tan collar and four buttons

Women's Shearling Jacket

Cropped · Everyday

Cropped to pair perfectly with jeans for an easy, timeless Western look on crisp fall days. Full shearling, Western yoke detailing, faux antler buttons and a front that buttons all the way to the neck when the wind comes up.

Material: 100% shearling
Length: Cropped
Standout: Buttons to the neck

Best for
With jeans
Fall
Town

Shop the Shearling Jacket →

Taupe suede coat with plush Toscana shearling collar, open front

Women's Suede Coat with Toscana Shearling Collar

Shearling collar · Statement

The statement piece. Ultra-soft calfskin suede with a luxurious Toscana shearling collar, known for its long, silky wool. Fully lined, with riding vents at the back, drop-in waist pockets and a hook-and-eye front.

Shell: 100% calfskin suede
Collar: Toscana shearling
Standout: Riding vents

Best for
Evenings
Holidays
Dressing up

Shop the Suede Coat →

Shearling Coat Spec Comparison

Coat	Body	Shearling	Length	Pockets	Closure
Bitterroot	Shearling	Full	Lower hip	Drop-in hand	Buttons
Beartooth	Shearling	Full	Lower hip	4 front	Buttons
Wool Coat with Shearling Collar	22 oz Melton wool	Collar	Not listed	4 front + interior	Buttons
Women's Long Shearling	Suede shearling	Full	Full length	Side-entry	Horn-style buttons, belt
Women's Shearling Jacket	Shearling	Full	Cropped	Drop-in hand	Faux antler buttons
Women's Suede Coat, Toscana	Calfskin suede	Collar	Not listed	Drop-in waist	Hook-and-eye

100%Shearling in the Bitterroot, Beartooth and women's shearling styles

22 ozMelton wool in the Wool Coat with Shearling Collar

1 pieceReal shearling: suede and wool are the same hide

How Should a Shearling Coat Fit?

Try it over what you will wear. Shearling is thick. Size with the heaviest shirt or sweater you plan to layer.
Shoulders first. Seams should sit at your shoulder edge. Shearling will soften but will not stretch much across the back.
Hug the button test. Wrap your arms around yourself, buttoned. If it pulls hard across the back, size up.
Sleeves a touch long. A little extra sleeve keeps your wrists covered when you reach.
Length for your life. Hip length covers your seat for driving and riding. Full length is warmest but less practical in the saddle.
Expect it to mold. Like a good boot, shearling shapes to you with wear.

How to Care for Shearling

Avoid soaking. Light snow brushes off. In a heavy rain, choose a different coat.
If it gets wet, dry it slowly. Hang on a wide hanger at room temperature, far from heaters and fireplaces. Heat stiffens and cracks hide.
Brush the wool. A soft brush keeps the collar and lining lofty.
Treat suede gently. Use a suede brush or eraser for scuffs; do not scrub with water.
Leave cleaning to the pros. Take it to a cleaner who specializes in leather and shearling. Never machine wash.
Store it breathing. Use a cloth garment bag, never plastic, and keep it out of direct sun.

Shearling Coat FAQ

What is shearling?

Shearling is sheepskin tanned with the wool still attached. The skin side becomes the suede or leather outside of the coat and the wool side becomes the warm lining.

Is shearling the same as sheepskin?

In clothing, the terms are used almost interchangeably. Shearling usually refers to sheepskin with the wool left on, which is what a shearling coat is made from.

What is the difference between shearling and sherpa?

Shearling is a natural sheepskin with wool attached. Sherpa is a soft pile fabric, usually polyester, sewn in as a lining. Shearling is warmer, breathes better and lasts far longer; sherpa is lighter and easier to wash.

Is a shearling coat warm enough for winter?

Yes. Full shearling coats like the Bitterroot and Beartooth are among the warmest coats you can wear, and the Beartooth is built specifically for frigid temperatures.

Can shearling get wet?

A little snow or a short shower is fine; shake it off. Avoid soaking it. If it does get wet, let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from direct heat.

How long does a shearling coat last?

With good care, decades. Many are passed down to the next generation.

Is a shearling coat worth the price?

If you live somewhere cold and wear it every winter, the cost per wear over decades is low. If you need warmth only a few days a year, a wool coat with a shearling collar may be the smarter buy.

Do Schaefer shearling coats run true to size?

Yes. Our shearling product pages list classic, true-to-size fits. Size with the layer you plan to wear underneath.