Choosing between faux leather and real leather can be confusing, especially when every brand uses different terminology. So, what's the difference between faux leather and real leather? This guide breaks down the differences between leather and synthetic leather in a clear, honest way so you know exactly what you’re buying. Whether you’re comparing materials for durability, feel, sustainability, or long‑term value, this is your starting point.
The Basics of Faux Leathers
At Okra Jean, we work with full‑grain hides every day, so we see firsthand how real leather ages, softens, and develops character. We also understand why synthetic options like PU leather, bonded leather, and “vegan leather” exist — and why they’re often mistaken for the real thing. This guide helps you understand what each material is made of, how it performs, and how to tell faux leather vs real leather at a glance.
| Material | What Is It? | Durable | Aging/Patina | Feels | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Grain Leather | Top layer of hide, natural grain intact | Extremely | Develops rich patina | Warm, flexible | Higher | Highest quality real leather. |
| Top-Grain Leather | Corrected or sanded grain | Very | Light patina | Smooth, consistent | Mid-High | Common in quality goods. |
| Genuine Leather | Lower layers of hide | Moderate | Minimal patina | Stiffer | Mid | Real leather but not premium. |
| Bonded Leather | Scraps and adhesives | Low | No patina | Artificial | Low | Not considered real leather. |
| PU Leather | Plastic-based synthetic | Low - Moderate | No Patina | Smooth, uniform | Low | Most common faux leather |
| PVC Leahter | Vinyl-based synthetic | Low | No Patina | Plastic feel | Low | Least breathable |
| Vegan Leather | Any non-animal alternative | Varies | No Patina | Depends on material | Low-Mid | Includes PU, PVC, cork, plant fibers |
| Microfiber Leather | High-grade synthetic microfiber | Moderate | No Patina | Soft, suede-like | Mid | Durable for a synthetic |
Faux Leather vs Real Leather — Quick Differences
- Real leather has natural grain variation; faux leather looks uniform
- Real leather develops patina; synthetic leather stays the same
- Real leather feels warm and flexible; faux leather feels colder or plasticky
- Real leather edges are fibrous; synthetics have smooth, sealed edges
- Real leather lasts decades; synthetic leather often cracks or peels
You may have purchased a "leather" desk chair that, after a year or so of heavy use, began to show real signs of trouble — the finish starts to bubble, crack, peel, or flake away. This kind of failure is common with synthetic leathers, and you've probably found yourself wondering, "Why is my leather chair deteriorating so badly?" The answer is usually simple: it was never real leather to begin with. It was a faux leather, or synthetic leather, chair. The photo to the right shows this exact kind of covering failure up close.
That photo actually shows two shots of the same chair. On the left, you can see failure developing near the seams and other high-stress areas, where the faux leather flexes and wears the most. On the right is a close-up of the headrest, another high-wear spot — and it shows the texture stamped into the synthetic leather to mimic the look of real hide. Look closely and you'll also spot small bubbles forming in the surface. The larger bare patch, where the fabric substrate shows through, is what's left after that bubbled coating finally separated and pulled away.
Failures like this are common with synthetic leather, because most faux leathers are really just a fabric or vinyl substrate with a thin plastic coating layered on top — and once that coating starts to lift, there's nothing holding it together. Real leather doesn't have this problem. There's no separate top coating to peel or crack, because real leather is one homogenous piece all the way through.
We hope that we have helped to clear some of the fog surrounding all the leather marketing hype! We also have a Complete Glossary of Leather Terminology guide that has definitions of these leathers plus many more 'buzz words' you will hear around the industry. Also, our leather care guide is an excellent resource for caring for your genuine handmade leather goods!
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as "real leather"?
Two terms typically signify that a piece is real, actual leather: Full‑grain leather and top‑grain leather. A third term, genuine leather, is also real leather but it is a lower grade. All three are sourced from real hides.
What is faux leather?
Faux leather is any type of material that is not a an animal hide that was tanned and processed. Synthetic leathers and vegan leathers (not to be confused with veg tanned leather) are types of faux leathers.
Are faux leather and synthetic leather the same?
Both faux leather and synthetic leather are not true leathers. All synthetic leather is faux leather. Synthetic leathers are made in a factory.
What are the synthetic leather types?
When people say "synthetic leather," they're usually lumping together a handful of different materials that don't actually have much in common except that none of them are real hide. Each one is made a different way, and some hold up a lot better than others. The leather chair photo above is one type of synthetic leather. Here's a rundown of the most common types:
- PU leather (polyurethane)
- PVC leather (vinyl)
- Bonded leather
- Microfiber leather
- “Vegan leather” (umbrella term for non‑animal alternatives)
There are other types of man-made leather but this list covers a vast majority of them. Every so often, a new term is coined that is the same as or a slight variant of an existing type.
What is genuine leather vs faux leather?
The main difference is that genuine leather is, just that, genuine. It is real leather made from a hide. Genuine leather is lower quality. Leather thickness is kept consistent by a process call 'splitting'. Thicker leather is 'split' to achieve a desired, consistent thickness. The two pieces of the split are the top grain and the 'off-cut' so-to-speak. This off-cut is what is called genuine leather. Faux leather is not real leather. It is a material other than a hide.