Leatherworking is World of Warcraft's crafting profession that turns animal hides and leather into leather and mail armor, armor kits, bags, and stat-boosting enhancements. It pairs naturally with Skinning, which supplies the raw materials. Leatherworkers gear up Hunters, Shamans, Druids, Rogues, Monks, Demon Hunters, and Evokers, making it one of the game's most self-sufficient professions.
Leatherworking quick facts
| Type | Crafting profession (production) |
| Best gathering pair | Skinning (supplies leather and hides) |
| Makes | Leather & mail armor, armor kits, bags, drums, and gear upgrades |
| Gears up | Hunters, Shamans, Druids, Rogues, Monks, Demon Hunters, Evokers |
| Where to learn | Profession trainers in capital cities and each expansion's main hub |
| Modern system | Specializations, Knowledge Points, and quality tiers (up to 5 stars) |
How to get started with Leatherworking
- Visit a Leatherworking trainer in a capital city or your current expansion hub and learn the profession.
- Pick up Skinning as your second profession so you never run out of leather.
- Skin beasts as you quest, then craft low-tier armor and kits to build early skill.
- Unlock the current expansion's Leatherworking, spend Knowledge Points on a specialization, and chase higher quality tiers.
What is the best profession to pair with Leatherworking?
Skinning is the natural partner. It gathers the hides and leather that Leatherworking consumes, so you can farm and craft without buying mats from the Auction House. This combo keeps costs low while you level and is ideal for solo players who want to be self-sufficient.
How do you level Leatherworking fast?
Focus on the cheapest, highest-skill-gain recipes at each tier, and craft in bulk while your mats are gathered from Skinning. In modern WoW, prioritize spending Knowledge Points early — they unlock better recipes, higher quality, and material savings, which speeds up the whole grind.
Is Leatherworking worth it?
Yes, especially if you play a leather or mail wearer. You can craft your own gear upgrades, make armor kits that boost stats, and sell surplus crafts for gold. Paired with Skinning it's one of the least expensive professions to level, with a steady demand for kits and bags.
If you'd rather skip the grind, PewPewShop offers coaching and rent-a-pro sessions where a vetted human player helps you plan the fastest leveling path and profession combo for your character — handy when you want progress without the farm.