Barenia leather is soft and supple, with just the right firmness. It has a very smooth surface, with just a tiny bit of gloss. Closer inspection can reveal the beautiful grain on this leather. It has moderate scratch resistance which means you don't need to baby the strap. Small scratches can be buffed out with just some slight rubbing. This also means that Barenia is able to develop a beautiful patina that results in a slight darkening of the leather with use.