Real Leather vs Faux Leather: A Complete Comparison

It's one of the most common questions when buying a jacket, wallet or belt: real leather or faux? Both have a genuine place, and the right answer depends on what you value. Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison — no spin.

What's the difference?

Real leather is made from animal hide. It's durable, breathable, and ages into something with character — but costs more. Faux leather (also called PU leather, pleather, or vegan leather) is a synthetic material — usually a fabric base coated in polyurethane or PVC — designed to imitate the look of leather at a lower price, without using animal products. (For where each sits in the wider material family, see Types of Leather Explained.)

Side by side

The case for real leather

Real leather's strengths are longevity and feel. A genuine leather jacket softens, moulds to you and develops a patina, often looking better after years of wear. It breathes, so it's more comfortable across temperatures, and a quality piece can outlast a dozen synthetic ones — which can make it better value over time despite the higher upfront price. The trade-off: it costs more, needs occasional conditioning, and uses animal products.

The case for faux leather

Faux leather's strengths are price, ethics and ease. It's significantly cheaper, animal-free (a deciding factor for many), lighter, and wipe-clean with no conditioning needed. It's a smart choice for a trend piece you won't wear for a decade, or if you simply prefer not to buy leather. The trade-off: it doesn't breathe as well, won't age gracefully, and typically cracks or peels far sooner — most faux pieces have a much shorter lifespan.

Is faux leather more ethical?

It's not clear-cut, and honest buyers should know both sides. Faux leather avoids animal products, which matters to many people. But most faux leather is plastic-based (PU or PVC), so it's derived from fossil fuels and doesn't biodegrade — a real environmental cost of its own. Newer plant-based "vegan leathers" (cactus, mushroom, Piñatex) aim to address that, but are still emerging. Real leather, meanwhile, is a durable, long-lasting natural material, though it carries the impacts of animal agriculture and tanning. There's no simple winner — it depends on which trade-offs matter most to you.

So which should you buy?

• Buy real leather if you want something that lasts for years, feels and breathes better, and ages with character — and you're happy to invest a bit more and care for it.
• Buy faux leather if budget or avoiding animal products is the priority, or it's a short-term trend piece.

Whichever you choose, the most important thing is knowing what you're actually buying — which brings us to spotting the difference. See How to Tell If Leather Is Real.

Shopping for the real thing? Our men's and women's leather jackets are made from genuine leather, with each product clearly labelled.

FAQs

Is real leather worth the extra money? Often, yes — a quality real leather piece can last many times longer than a synthetic one and ages better, which can make it better value over time. For short-term trend pieces, faux can make more sense.

Does faux leather last? Generally not as long. Most faux leather cracks or peels within a few years, whereas well-cared-for real leather lasts for many.

Is faux leather the same as vegan leather? "Vegan leather" is an umbrella term for any non-animal leather alternative, including plastic-based faux leather (PU/PVC) and newer plant-based options.

How can I tell real from faux? Check the smell, texture, edges and grain pattern — real leather has irregularities and a natural scent. Full method: How to Tell If Leather Is Real.

Related reading

• Types of Leather Explained: A Complete Buyer's Guide
• How to Tell If Leather Is Real: 7 Simple Tests
• Genuine Leather Explained
• What Is Suede? Suede vs Leather