Hermès Ostrich leather
The most practical of the exotic skins and the one that changes the most.
Ostrich is recognizable at a glance by its quill marks, the raised follicles where feathers once grew. Hermès dates its first ostrich to 1920 and buys it in South Africa, in the Klein Karoo; in 2025 the house reported that all its ostrich came from sites certified by the South African ostrich industry body. The skin is supple, lighter than many expect and, for owners, the easiest exotic to live with.
A few things worth knowing
- Hermès dates its use of ostrich to 1920.
- South African ostrich is not listed by CITES, so it needs no CITES paperwork in most situations.
- In January 2026, a Mini Kelly 20 in ostrich was reported about 78% above the same bag in Epsom at US boutiques.
- On the resale market, the same bag in ostrich was asked at about 1.2 times Togo in our October 2026 snapshot.
Ostrich at a glance
- Family
- Exotic skins
- Since
- 1920
- Grain
- Raised quill follicles
- Boutique price versus Togo
- About 78% more (Mini Kelly 20)
- Resale versus Togo
- 1.24 times Togo
- Share of listings
- about 2%
Our ratings
- Scratch resistance
- 7/10
- Holds its shape
- 7/10
- Lightness
- 8/10
- Rain and water
- 7/10
- Easy care
- 6/10
- Color depth
- 7/10
- Patina
- 6/10
- Visible natural grain: no
- Embossed grain: no
- Structured look: no
- 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
Hermès sources its ostrich from South Africa and audited the whole supply chain in 2017. It does not own ostrich farms. Ostrich appears on the Birkin, the Kelly, the Roulis Mini and on Picotin Lock bags that pair it with Clemence. In 2019 Hermès dyed some ostrich, crocodile and pigskin with Aizome, a Japanese indigo technique it reserved for those leathers. Unlike crocodile, alligator and lizard, it carries no special symbol beside the Hermès stamp, according to collectors.
Look and feel
The quill follicles are flattened during finishing so they stay in place. The skin is soft and takes color well, though some find its shades slightly muted.
How it wears
Scratches. Owners compare it to calf, some to Epsom: solid for an exotic.
Water. The exotic owners trust most in the rain: drops dry without a trace in their experience. Hermès, however, asks owners of all its precious leathers, ostrich included, to keep them away from water and moisture. Wipe it dry.
Shape. It holds well, more softly than crocodile.
Weight. A Birkin 35 weighed by its owner, as reported on a forum, came in at 1,106 g, less than a Clemence of the same size.
Patina. The most constant remark: handles darken with the oils of hands, often within the first year; sun fades light colors. Some love the change (Gold turning to caramel); others feel ostrich ages badly. Hermès itself warns that ostrich is particularly sensitive to light and darkens with use.
Care
A twilly on the handles slows the darkening. Keep it out of the sun, use a light conditioner rarely and never baby wipes. Over-cleaning removes the finish. Resellers suggest a spa visit every one to two years for exotic skins.
Who it suits
Daily use among the exotics, dark colors for those who mind darkening handles. It is also one of the favorite skins of MyQuotaBag's founder.
Travel and resale rules
South African ostrich has not been listed by CITES since 1983. Only populations from twelve North and West African countries are on Appendix I. Keep your receipt and Hermès documents with the bag. California's ban on certain exotic skins does not cover ostrich. This is not legal advice.
Where the sources disagree
- Water. Tolerant for owners, to be kept away from water for Hermès.
- Color. Takes color beautifully, or looks muted, depending on the source.
- Aging. A beautiful evolution or a flaw: the darkening handles divide owners.
Ostrich resale prices
Median asking prices, October 19, 2026. US dollars, from public resale listings, not confirmed sale prices.
On the resale market, a Ostrich bag is listed at about 1.24 times the price of the same bag in Togo, same model, size and condition. This is the median over 9 comparable groups.
| Bag | Condition | Median asking | Same bag in Togo | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkin 25 | Pristine | US$47,500 | US$30,900 | fewer than 20 |
| Birkin 25 | Pre-owned | US$32,000 | US$28,600 | fewer than 20 |
| Birkin 30 | Pristine | US$44,500 | US$30,800 | fewer than 20 |
| Birkin 30 | Pre-owned | US$26,500 | US$23,000 | about 50 |
| Birkin 35 | Pre-owned | US$20,000 | US$18,500 | fewer than 20 |
| Kelly 20 | Pre-owned | US$44,000 | – | fewer than 20 |
| Kelly 25 | Pre-owned | US$35,000 | US$25,300 | fewer than 20 |
| Kelly 28 | Pre-owned | US$24,800 | US$20,000 | fewer than 20 |
| Kelly 32 | Pre-owned | US$15,800 | US$15,600 | fewer than 20 |
| Constance 18 | Pre-owned | US$21,000 | – | fewer than 20 |
| Picotin 18 | Pre-owned | US$6,900 | US$4,300 | fewer than 20 |
| Lindy 20 | Pre-owned | US$16,100 | – | 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
Do I need CITES papers for an Hermès ostrich bag?
South African ostrich is not listed by CITES. Keep your receipt and Hermès documents with the bag all the same.
Why do ostrich handles darken?
Hand oils and creams are absorbed by the skin. A twilly on the handles slows it down.
Is ostrich more expensive than Togo?
At the boutique, about 78% more on a Mini Kelly 20 in early 2026. On the resale market, about 1.2 times Togo for the same bag in our snapshot.
References
- Hermès International, Universal Registration Documents 2019 and 2025 (sourcing and certification).
- Hermès, product description of the Roulis Mini in ostrich and care instructions for precious leathers.
- CITES Appendices and US Fish and Wildlife Service listing of the ostrich.
- California Penal Code section 653o.
- PurseBop, Hermès US price reports, January 2026.
- PurseForum, owner discussions on ostrich and bag weights.
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 Ostrich leather », Hermès Leathers, resale snapshot of 2026-10-19. https://myquotabag.com/leathers/ostrich/