Leather Comparisons
Alternatives to Leather: Vegan Materials and Their Trade-Offs
Compare vegan leather alternatives: PU, PVC, microfiber suede, Piñatex, mycelium and cork. What each is made of, how it handles water and how to read labels.
Most vegan leather alternatives sold today are plastic: polyurethane (PU) or PVC coated onto fabric. Newer options use pineapple leaf fibre, fungus (mycelium) or cork, but several of these still contain plastic or resin.
There is no single best swap. Each material trades off softness, water resistance, durability and how it ends its life. Pick by the job the item has to do, and read the composition label instead of trusting the word "vegan" or "eco."
Part of our leather comparison chart.
Leather alternatives at a glance
| Material | What it is made of | Water | Biodegradable? | Typical uses | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU faux leather | Polyurethane on a fabric base | Can be breathable or sealed, depending on build | No: plastic | Jackets, bags, upholstery | – |
| PVC (vinyl) | PVC plus plasticizer on fabric | Virtually waterproof surface | No: does not decompose in landfill | Upholstery, cases, cheap bags | – |
| Microfiber suede (Alcantara, Ultrasuede) | Polyester and polyurethane microfiber | Resists stains; some types machine washable | No: plastic | Car interiors, furniture, fashion | – |
| Piñatex | Pineapple leaf fibre and PLA, coated with petroleum-based resin | Not sourced | No | Bags, shoes, wallets, watch bands | – |
| Mycelium ("mushroom leather") | Grown fungal mycelium | Varies by maker | Mycelium composites are described as biodegradable | Fashion pieces, still emerging | – |
| Cork | Bark of the cork oak | Impermeable and moisture resistant | Natural material | Handbags, wallets | – |
Plastic-based alternatives: PU and PVC
These are what most shops mean by vegan leather, faux leather, leatherette or pleather. A plastic layer is cast on embossed paper to copy leather grain, then bonded to a fabric backing.
PU is the more common of the two, and it is washable. PVC is harder to clean and needs a phthalate plasticizer to stay flexible.
How long they last depends heavily on quality. The usual failure is the plastic film peeling off its backing. Our page is faux leather durable? covers that in detail, and faux leather vs real leather compares PU and PVC with hide head to head.
Microfiber suedes: Alcantara and Ultrasuede
These are synthetic suede look-alikes made of polyester and polyurethane microfibers. Alcantara's maker states 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane, while Wikipedia's infobox gives 69/31.
They resist stains, and Ultrasuede can be machine washed. Other makers sell similar microfiber suedes under different names. See Alcantara vs suede for how they compare with real suede.
Plant-based: pineapple leaf (Piñatex)
Piñatex is made by felting pineapple leaf fibres with PLA, a corn-based plastic, into a base that is 80% fibre and 20% PLA. That base is then coated with a petroleum-based resin.
It uses leaves that are farm waste, and no extra water, pesticides or fertiliser. It is still not biodegradable. Its maker, Ananas Anam, entered administration in the UK and Spain in October 2025, so check that a product's supplier is still trading if you care about repairs or matching material.
Looking at a cactus, apple or grape "leather"? We found no neutral source on what those contain, so ask the brand what share is plant matter and what share is plastic or resin.
Grown materials: mycelium
Mycelium is the root-like network of a fungus. Companies such as MycoWorks, Ecovative and Sqim have developed mycelium materials to replace leather, and the first mycelium-leather garment was made with Givenchy in 2022.
It is still a young material. Growth conditions, the feed material and finishing all change how it behaves, so one "mushroom leather" may differ a lot from the next.
Cork
Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak. It is made of a water-repelling substance called suberin, which makes it impermeable, light and elastic. Those traits are why it is used for handbags and wallets.
Is "vegan" the same as sustainable?
No. "Vegan" only means no animal material. PVC does not decompose in landfill and can release harmful chemicals. Piñatex is plant-based but still uses PLA and a petroleum-based resin.
We do not rank leather against these materials on environmental impact here. Compare the specific products, what they are made of and how long you will use them.
How to read the label
In the US, a material that looks like leather but is not should be labeled, for example "Not leather," "Imitation leather" or "Vinyl," under the FTC Leather Guides. The plain word "leather" should only be used for products made in all substantial parts of leather.
So a tag reading "apple leather" or "vegan leather" tells you the look, not the content. For the vocabulary, hitkb explains whether vegan leather is the same as faux leather.
Which alternative should you choose?
Comparing specific fabrics? See microfiber vs leather and nylon vs leather.
| If you need... | Consider | Why | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low upkeep and a wipe-clean surface | PU faux leather | Washable, little maintenance | – |
| A suede look that resists stains | Microfiber suede | Stain resistant; some types washable | – |
| A water-resistant bag or wallet | Cork | Impermeable and moisture resistant | – |
| Plant content over pure plastic | Piñatex or similar | 80% fibre base, but resin-coated | – |
| Something new and experimental | Mycelium | Still emerging; properties vary | – |
| A piece that ages with a patina | Full-grain leather (not vegan) | Patina instead of wearing out | – |
If you decide on real leather
Leather Collection sells real leather only, with no vegan or faux leather line. Each jacket page names the hide, cowhide, sheepskin, lambskin or goatskin. Browse Leather Collection to see the hides side by side.
FAQ
What are some alternative materials to leather?
The main ones are PU and PVC faux leather, microfiber suedes such as Alcantara, pineapple-leaf Piñatex, mycelium and cork.
What types of fake leather are there?
Most are PU or PVC coated on fabric, sold as faux leather, leatherette, pleather or vegan leather. Some newer types are plant-based or grown from fungi.
Is vegan leather stronger than leather?
Sources disagree. A faux leather maker says it resists scratches and cracking, while a leather maker says it is less durable in every way. See is faux leather durable?.
Is plant-based leather biodegradable?
Not always. Piñatex, for example, is not biodegradable because of its PLA and resin.
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.