How to Tell Genuine Leather – and Does Real Leather Peel?
"Genuine leather", "vegan leather", "faux leather", "split leather"... it's easy to get confused. Here are the differences, simply, and how to tell them apart.
Four signs of genuine leather
- Uneven texture: genuine leather shows small pores and natural creases that never repeat. Synthetic patterns look too uniform.
- Smell: real leather has a typical leather scent that fades over time. Synthetics smell more like plastic.
- Edges: a cut edge of real leather shows fibers. A synthetic edge is smooth or shows a fabric backing.
- Touch: real leather warms up in your hand and softens with use.
What is vegan leather?
Vegan leather is a synthetic material, usually polyurethane (PU) or microfiber, with no animal components. It is lighter, water- and stain-resistant, easy to clean and comes in many colors and finishes: glossy, croc or suede-look. Shop vegan leather.
Does genuine leather peel?
Genuine leather doesn't peel like cheap synthetics. What usually peels is a thin plastic coating or "bonded leather" made from scraps. Split leather (the inner layers of the hide, coated) is genuine leather, but its coating can wear after years of use. Good care makes it last longer.
No guessing with us
Every product page has a material label stating exactly what the piece is made of, as the maker declares: cowhide, top-grain cowhide, split leather, suede, sheepskin or vegan leather. We never upgrade materials. Want more? Read our leather guide.
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