Leather Comparisons
Is Faux Leather Durable? What Makes It Last or Peel
Faux leather can last or peel within a few seasons. See why PU breaks down, what hydrolysis and abrasion specs to ask for, and how sources disagree.
Faux leather can be durable, but it varies widely: the main way it fails is the plastic top layer cracking and peeling away from its fabric backing, and cheap polyurethane (PU) does this sooner, especially in heat and humidity. A well-specified faux leather that passes hydrolysis testing will hold up far better than a bargain one.
Part of our leather comparison chart.
Why faux leather peels
Faux leather is a thin plastic layer, PU or PVC, bonded to fabric. Polyurethane can break down by hydrolysis, a reaction with moisture in the air. This is a known problem with shoes left in a closet.
When it happens, the PU film separates from the backing and shows as cracking and peeling, which makers call delamination. A faux leather maker says PUs made with inexpensive resins break down early in hot, humid conditions and heavy use. Light can also yellow some polyurethanes.
How durable is it compared with real leather?
Sources with a stake in the answer disagree, so treat each view as a claim.
Note that the faux leather maker also warns that cheap PUs crack and peel. The real answer depends on the grade you buy. For the full material comparison, see faux leather vs real leather. Plant-based and cork options are covered in alternatives to leather.
| Source | What it says | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Faux leather maker (Mitchell Group) | Very durable; resists scratches; PU does not crack or peel; vinyl may crack with long use | – |
| Leather maker (Crest Leather) | Less durable in every regard; can crack or peel fairly soon; estimates real leather lasts about 5 times longer in upholstery | – |
| Leather-goods retailer (Carl Friedrik) | PVC is more durable than PU; expect a few years from a faux leather garment | – |
| Wikipedia, Artificial leather | Does not crack or fade easily, but the surface of some types rubs off with time | – |
How to tell a durable faux leather
Ask the seller for a spec sheet with durability test results. Coated-fabric makers usually publish one. A faux leather maker's guide to hydrolysis testing explains the two main tests. Look for:
- Hydrolysis resistance (PU only). In the ISO "jungle test," fabric sits at 158°F (70°C) and 95% humidity and is checked weekly. The generally accepted minimum is 3 weeks for home upholstery and 5 weeks for commercial use. The ASTM D3690 test is pass or fail.
- Abrasion. The industry guideline for commercial upholstery is 50,000 Wyzenbeek cycles.
- Light fastness, which predicts fading in sun.
Weeks in a test chamber do not equal years of use. No such equivalence exists.
What ruins faux leather?
Moisture over time (for PU), heat and humidity together, and long sun exposure are the usual culprits. Store pieces dry and out of direct sun. For cleaning and protection steps, see hosob's guide on how to protect faux leather. For expected lifespan in years, see mumiay's how long faux leather lasts.
Real leather instead?
Leather Collection does not sell faux leather. One women's blazer is named "faux leather," but its page says it is sheepskin leather with a faux fur lining. If you want hide, browse Leather Collection, where each jacket page names its leather.
Still deciding? Read is faux leather a good choice?
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.