Hermès Epsom leather
Crisp lines, bright colors and an easy relationship with rain.
Epsom is a calfskin whose grain is printed into the surface by machine: a small, regular pattern that gives the leather its firm hand and clean edges. Hermès dates it to 2004 and named it after Epsom, the English town famous for its racecourse, a nod to the house's equestrian roots.
Collectors choose Epsom for structure. A Kelly Sellier or a Birkin 25 in Epsom keeps sharp lines for years; seasonal colors look their most vivid on it.
A few things worth knowing
- Hermès dates Epsom to 2004; one auction guide says 2003.
- The grain is embossed, printed by machine, which is why it looks so even.
- It is the stiffest of the standard leathers and the one owners most often take out in the rain.
- In January 2026, a Kelly 25 in Epsom Sellier was reported at the same US boutique price as a Kelly 25 in Togo Retourne: US$13,700.
Epsom at a glance
- Family
- Calf and cowhide leathers
- Since
- 2004
- Grain
- Embossed, small and regular
- Boutique price versus Togo
- Same price (Kelly 25)
- Resale versus Togo
- 1.02 times Togo
- Share of listings
- about 19%
Our ratings
- Scratch resistance
- 7/10
- Holds its shape
- 9/10
- Lightness
- 6/10
- Rain and water
- 8/10
- Easy care
- 9/10
- Color depth
- 9/10
- Patina
- 1/10
- Visible natural grain: no
- Embossed grain: yes
- Structured look: yes
- Made for daily use: yes
- CITES paperwork to travel: no
Our take. These ratings are MyQuotaBag's editorial view, built from the sources listed below and from collectors' experience. They are not measurements. Resale versus Togo and share of listings are measured from public listings.
On this page
Origin and history
Collectors say Epsom took the place of two earlier pressed-grain calfskins, Courchevel and Veau Grain Lisse, withdrawn around 2003 and 2004. Hermès itself does not publish withdrawal dates. Auction houses still describe Courchevel bags from the early 1990s, such as a gold Birkin 40 dated 1993. Its product descriptions call Epsom a calfskin with a printed grain: one popular guide's claim that it is "not an animal leather" is simply wrong.
Look and feel
The surface is lightly shiny with a fine, uniform grain. The leather feels round and firm in the hand. Because the grain is printed, it can soften slightly at points of friction over many years.
How it wears
Scratches. Owners are split: some find it almost scratch-proof, others say it scratches easily. All agree on one point: a deep scratch cannot be polished away, because the grain is printed on the surface.
Water. Its strongest quality. Rain tends to bead and slide off; one owner did report bubbling after a downpour, so wiping it dry still matters.
Shape. Epsom does not slouch. Its corners are where it shows wear first, the most frequent complaint; after many years the grain may crack at folds.
Weight. Guides call it light. The only Birkin 35 weighed by an owner, as reported on a forum, came in at 1,223 g, heavier than a Togo 35. Its rigidity may make it feel lighter than it is.
Patina. Almost none. An Epsom bag looks much the same after five years.
Care
A damp cloth is enough for most marks. Avoid greasy, alcohol-based or perfumed products. Hermès's repair service can refresh corners, though wear returns with use.
Who it suits
Structured bags (Kelly Sellier, Constance, Birkin 25), bright colors, travel and anyone who wants a bag that looks the same in ten years.
Where the sources disagree
- Scratches. Hermès calls Epsom scratch-resistant, as does one reseller; many owners say the opposite. Hermès adds that the grain fades where the leather is rubbed most.
- Weight. Called light, weighed heavier than Togo on the one bag measured.
Epsom resale prices
Median asking prices, October 19, 2026. US dollars, from public resale listings, not confirmed sale prices.
On the resale market, a Epsom bag is listed at about 1.02 times the price of the same bag in Togo, same model, size and condition. This is the median over 13 comparable groups.
| Bag | Condition | Median asking | Same bag in Togo | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkin 25 | Pristine | US$35,000 | US$30,900 | about 20 |
| Birkin 25 | Pre-owned | US$29,300 | US$28,600 | about 50 |
| Birkin 30 | Pristine | US$31,000 | US$30,800 | about 40 |
| Birkin 30 | Pre-owned | US$21,000 | US$23,000 | about 290 |
| Birkin 35 | Pre-owned | US$17,000 | US$18,500 | about 190 |
| Kelly 18 | Pristine | US$30,600 | – | fewer than 20 |
| Kelly 20 | Pristine | US$35,700 | – | about 60 |
| Kelly 20 | Pre-owned | US$31,000 | – | about 110 |
| Kelly 25 | Pristine | US$32,500 | US$28,500 | about 150 |
| Kelly 25 | Pre-owned | US$27,500 | US$25,300 | about 230 |
| Kelly 28 | Pristine | US$28,500 | US$27,500 | about 70 |
| Kelly 28 | Pre-owned | US$22,500 | US$20,000 | about 260 |
| Kelly 32 | Pre-owned | US$15,500 | US$15,600 | about 90 |
| Kelly 35 | Pre-owned | US$14,300 | US$13,500 | about 40 |
| Constance 18 | Pristine | US$17,000 | – | about 50 |
| Constance 18 | Pre-owned | US$12,000 | – | about 140 |
| Constance 24 | Pristine | US$19,000 | – | fewer than 20 |
| Constance 24 | Pre-owned | US$11,300 | – | about 110 |
| Constance 25 | Pre-owned | US$11,200 | – | about 30 |
| Picotin 18 | Pre-owned | US$3,900 | US$4,300 | fewer than 20 |
| Garden Party 30 | Pre-owned | US$4,300 | US$4,300 | fewer than 20 |
| Bolide 25 | Pre-owned | US$8,200 | – | about 30 |
| Bolide 30 | Pre-owned | US$8,300 | – | fewer than 20 |
Think of these figures as a snapshot of the market rather than a valuation of any particular bag. Explore resale prices by bag, size and year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epsom a real leather?
Yes. Hermès describes it as calfskin with a fine, regular grain obtained by machine printing.
Does Epsom scratch?
Light marks are rarely visible, but a deep scratch is permanent because the grain cannot be rebuilt.
Does Epsom slouch?
No. It is the most rigid of the standard leathers.
Is Epsom more expensive than Togo?
In January 2026, US boutique prices reported for the same bag and size were the same.
References
- Hermès, product descriptions of Epsom calfskin (Bearn wallet, Sac à dépêches).
- 1stdibs, "The Definitive Guide to Hermès Birkin Bag Leathers".
- PurseBop, "An Insider's Guide to Hermès Leathers" and Hermès US price reports, January 2026.
- PurseForum, owner discussions on Epsom wear and bag weights.
- Hermès, product description of the Sabot bag (Epsom calfskin).
- Artcurial, Birkin 40 in Courchevel calfskin, 1993.
About this guide
MyQuotaBag brings together what is known about each Hermès leather, from brand material, tanneries, regulators, the press and collectors. It also says where the sources disagree. Ratings are our own view. Resale figures are public asking prices, not confirmed sales or valuations.
MyQuotaBag is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hermès.
How to cite: MyQuotaBag, « Hermès Epsom leather », Hermès Leathers, resale snapshot of 2026-10-19. https://myquotabag.com/leathers/epsom/