Leather Comparisons
Leather vs Suede: Key Differences in Look, Wear and Care
Leather shows the grain; suede is the brushed underside. Compare durability, water, care and feel, and see when suede is worth it over smooth leather.
The difference between leather and suede is which side of the skin you see. Smooth leather shows the outer grain. Suede is the underside, brushed into a soft, fuzzy nap.
Both are real leather. Suede is softer, but it is less durable and soaks up water and stains much faster than smooth full-grain leather.
Pick smooth leather for everyday hard use and wet weather. Pick suede for a soft, matte look on pieces you can keep dry.
Part of our leather comparison chart.
Leather vs suede at a glance
| Column 1 | Smooth leather (full-grain / top-grain) | Suede | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which side | Outer grain layer | Underside of the skin or of a split | – |
| Surface | Smooth grain, develops a patina | Fuzzy, napped, matte | – |
| Feel | Firmer | Softer, thinner, more pliable | – |
| Durability | Grain's dense fibers give strength | Less durable, no tough outer layer | – |
| Water and stains | Can be wiped | Absorbs liquids fast; excess moisture can damage it | – |
| Usual animals | Mostly cattle | Mostly lamb; also goat, calf, deer, and cow splits | – |
| Care | Dry cloth, condition every few months | Soft brush; keep away from rain | – |
Is suede real leather?
Yes, suede is a type of leather with a napped finish. It is made from the underside of the skin, mostly from lamb. Goat, calf and deer are also common, and splits from thick cow and deer hides get sueded too.
The name comes from the French gants de Suède, "gloves from Sweden".
Sources describe the layer in two ways, and both are right. Thin lamb skins are sueded on their underside. Thick hides are split first, and the lower split is sueded.
For the full story, see hitkb's where does suede come from and our is suede a type of leather?.
Split leather vs suede
Split leather is the lower layer (corium) left once the grain is removed. It can be sueded or coated.
Suede from cow and deer splits has a shaggier nap than suede from young lamb. Labels are covered in split leather vs genuine leather.
Durability: which lasts longer?
Smooth leather, especially full-grain. The grain's densely packed fibers give strength, and full-grain develops a patina rather than wearing out. Suede lacks that outer layer, so it is less durable and less resistant to wear.
What happens if suede gets wet?
Suede's open pores absorb liquids quickly. Salt, dirt, water and oils can stain it, and excess moisture can damage it. Neither suede nor nubuck is waterproof unless treated, so a water-repellent spray is recommended.
Do not clean suede with soap and water or put it in a washing machine.
Wearing suede outdoors? Read can you wear a suede jacket in the rain?.
Care: brush vs wipe
The store's care advice splits by finish, per Leather Collection's custom jacket page. Wipe smooth leather with a soft, dry cloth and condition it every few months. Brush suede and nubuck with a soft suede brush and keep them out of the rain.
Our guide on how to care for a suede jacket has the full routine. For stains and deep cleaning, hosob's how to care for suede leather gives the steps.
Look and style
Smooth leather has a visible grain and, if full-grain, develops a patina. Suede has a soft, matte, fuzzy surface. Suede was first used for women's gloves, and its softness and thinness still suit clothing.
Which should you choose?
| If you want... | Pick | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| A jacket or shoes for rain and daily wear | Smooth leather | – |
| A soft, matte look for dry days | Suede | – |
| Something that ages with a patina | Full-grain smooth leather | – |
| A soft, light garment | Lamb suede or lambskin | – |
Not covered here
- Roughout gets its own head-to-head with suede, so we leave it out here. See roughout leather vs suede.
- Nubuck is sanded on the grain side, not the underside. See nubuck vs suede.
- Alcantara is compared with suede on its own page. See Alcantara vs suede.
Ordering suede or smooth
On the Leather Collection custom leather jacket, you can choose a Natural finish or a Suede finish. Suede adds $100, and the store describes it as having a brushed feel.
Related guides
- For nubuck and roughout as well, see our suede, nubuck and roughout guide.
FAQ
Which is better, suede or leather?
For durability and wet weather, smooth leather. For softness and a matte look, suede.
Is suede 100% leather?
Real suede is leather with a napped finish. Synthetic look-alikes exist. In the US, non-leather that looks like leather should be labeled as such.
What are the downsides of suede?
It is less durable than full-grain, absorbs liquids quickly, stains, and should not be washed with soap and water.
Will suede ruin if it gets wet?
Excess moisture can damage it, and water and salt can stain it. Treat it with a water-repellent spray.
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.