History. The term chamois as used to refer to specially-prepared leather originated sometime before 1709, referring to the prepared skin of any goat-like animal, specifically the European antelope—commonly called the "chamois"—and exclusively used by the glovemaking industry of southwest France.

Pronounced “shammy”, natural leather chamois cloths are durable, absorbent and exceptionally soft. The Chamois natural ability to quickly dry surfaces, without marring or scratching them in the process, has made them the preferred drying towel for most high-end applications.

The chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) or Alpine chamois is a species of goat-antelope native to the mountains in Southern Europe, from the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Apennines, the Dinarides, the Tatra to the Carpathian Mountains, the Balkan Mountains, the Rila–Rhodope massif, Pindus, the northeastern mountains of Turkey, and ...

Chamois are mammals that are related to antelopes, goats, and sheep. Similar to mountain goats, chamois are well suited to the mountainous areas where they live. They are good climbers and jumpers. Chamois can jump almost 7 feet (2 meters) high and 20 feet (6 meters) away.