Leather Comparisons
Faux Leather vs Real Leather: Key Differences and Which to Buy
Real leather is tanned hide; faux is PU or PVC on fabric. Compare wear, care, breathability and labels, and see which one suits what you're buying.
Real leather is tanned animal hide. Faux leather (also sold as synthetic leather, PU leather, vegan leather or pleather) is a plastic coating on a fabric base, made to look like leather.
Choose real leather if you want a material that can age and develop a patina. Choose faux leather if you want an animal-free option that needs little care.
This page is part of our leather comparison chart.
Verdict- Real leather (full-grain): ages with a patina instead of wearing out, and is usually considered the top quality.- Faux leather (PU or PVC): low upkeep and does not crack or fade easily, but the surface of some types can rub off.- Not all "leather" is equal: "genuine leather" is not a grade, and bonded leather is mostly scraps and glue.
Faux leather vs real leather at a glance
| Column 1 | Real leather | Faux leather (PU / PVC) | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made from | Tanned animal hide (mostly cattle, sheep, goat, pig) | Plastic layers (PU or PVC) on a fabric base | – |
| Other names | Full-grain, top-grain, split, suede | Leatherette, pleather, vegan leather, PU leather, imitation leather | – |
| How it ages | Full-grain develops a patina | Surface of some types rubs and wears off | – |
| Upkeep | Needs conditioning | Little maintenance; PU is washable, PVC is hard to clean | – |
| Breathability | Depends on finish | Breathable or waterproof, depending on how it is built | – |
| Labeling (US) | Kind of leather named | Should be disclosed as not leather | – |
| End of life | Natural material | PVC does not decompose in landfill | – |
How each one is made
Real leather starts as a hide that is tanned so it does not decay. The outer grain layer has the densest fibers, which is why grain leathers are the strongest.
Faux leather is built in layers. Plastic such as PU or PVC is coated onto an embossed release paper that copies the texture of leather, and then a fabric layer is bonded on. For the full process, see hitkb's guide on how faux leather is made.
PU leather vs leather
PU (polyurethane) is the more common coating; it overtook PVC by 2016. PU faux leather is washable, while PVC types are not easily cleaned.
Pleather and vinyl vs leather
"Pleather" and "leatherette" are other names for the same plastic-coated fabrics. Leatherette is often PVC on fabric. PVC needs a phthalate plasticizer to stay flexible.
Vegan leather vs real leather
"Vegan leather" usually means PU or PVC faux leather. Some newer vegan materials are grown from fungi, yeasts or bacteria, or made from plants. We compare those in alternatives to leather.
Durability and how they wear
Full-grain leather develops a patina instead of wearing out. Faux leather does not crack or fade easily, but on some types the surface rubs off with time.
Real leather is not one material, though. Split and "genuine" leather are lower layers, often coated, and bonded leather can be as little as 10% leather fiber.
A cheap bonded item and a full-grain one will not age the same way. For more on wear, see is faux leather durable?.
Comfort, breathability and feel
How breathable faux leather is depends on how it was made. Some types are porous and breathable, others are sealed and waterproof.
Real leather varies by hide and finish. For example, Leather Collection describes cowhide as firmer and sheepskin or lambskin as softer with more drape.
Care and cleaning
Faux leather needs little maintenance, and PU types can be washed. Smooth real leather is wiped with a dry cloth and conditioned every few months, per the store's care advice. Step-by-step faux care is on hosob's how to clean faux leather.
Labels: how to know what you are buying
In the US, the FTC Leather Guides say that a product that looks like leather but is not should say so, for example "Imitation leather," "Simulated leather" or "Vinyl". Bonded leather should not be called leather without stating its percentage of leather fibers. Read the full text at the eCFR, 16 CFR Part 24.
The word "genuine" on a label does not mark a quality grade. For hands-on checks, see hitkb's guide on how to tell real leather from faux leather.
Environmental trade-offs
Neither side is simply "green." PVC production often uses petroleum feedstocks, and PVC does not break down in landfill the way leather does. Bio-based vegan materials avoid some of these issues. Leather, meanwhile, comes from animal hides.
Which should you choose?
Still unsure? Our page is faux leather a good choice? covers the decision in more depth, and split leather vs genuine leather explains the lower grades.
| If you... | Pick | Why | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Want a jacket or bag that ages with you | Full-grain leather | Develops a patina | – |
| Want no animal products | Faux or bio-based vegan leather | Made without hide | – |
| Need something you can wipe or wash | PU faux leather | Washable, low upkeep | – |
| Are tempted by a low-priced "leather" item | Check the label first | It may be split, bicast or bonded | – |
Where to see real leather options
If you choose real leather, ask which hide it is. At Leather Collection, jackets are made in cowhide, sheepskin, lambskin or goatskin, and every product page names its leather.
FAQ
What is the downside of faux leather?
On some types the surface can rub and wear off over time, and PVC types are hard to clean.
Is faux leather the same as real leather?
No. Faux leather is plastic on fabric, and real leather is tanned hide.
Is faux leather 100% leather?
No. It contains no hide, and US guidance says it should be labeled as not leather.
What is the lowest quality of leather called?
Bonded leather is reconstituted from shredded scraps, at 10-90% leather fiber. "Genuine leather" often means a processed split.
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.