As a beginner, you might not recognize any difference between real and faux leather shoes before making a purchase. If you are exploring a physical store or brand that claims to offer genuine leather footwear, then you have found the right place. However, it could be difficult to find genuine leather shoes online because so many fake brands are marketing their products as genuine. So now comes the need to know the difference between genuine leather and faux leather.
We take pride in going above and beyond at Glatt, one of the leading online retailers of high-end leather shoes for men in Pakistan, by providing deluxe formal leather shoes that exude class and elegance for the dapper gentleman. In order to prevent them from wasting their hard-earned money, we teach our customers how to distinguish between authentic leather and imitation leather.
8 Useful Tips to Distinguish Between Genuine & Faux Leather
When you are looking for faux leather shoes, you are likely to find a number of companies selling them. These companies may be selling these products to the public or they may be selling these products to a limited number of wholesalers. It is important to know the difference between the two as you will be able to get the true value and warranty that you are looking for.
Real leather shoes are made from animal hide. They are made by tanning animal hides. Faux leather shoe are made from a range of materials but the most common ones are plastics and textiles. There are many different kinds of faux leather but the most common ones are urethane, PVC, and vinyl.
Always Read Product Description
It is advised that you carefully examine the product descriptions and essential characteristics if you frequently shop online. Several high-end brands and retail stores openly proclaim the authenticity of their leather footwear online. Each product is available online with its key features containing the materials used. It is obvious that anything is not genuine leather if it has the terms “synthetic leather” or “man-made leather”. If the product web page doesn’t contain any description or key features, it’s a clear indication that the leather is not original.
Check the Texture
Real leather is made from animal hides, such as those of cows, calves, snakes, deer, and crocodiles. Real leather, therefore, never has a smooth feel to it. But different shoe-making processes call for additional leather finishing steps to get a smooth texture.
Genuine leather naturally wrinkles, in contrast to synthetic leather. Additionally, some leather shoes are milled, meaning they have flaws that resemble grain-like textures.
Check for Wrinkles
Real leather will fold or wrinkle exactly like skin. Faux leather, on the other hand, will only compress and maintain its shape under pressure.
Shape Adjustment
Real leather shoes conform to the shape of your feet. They lose their initial shape with time. Instead, they conform to and fit the wearer’s foot size.
Musty Smell
Genuine leather shoes smell musty by nature. Real leather has an aroma that feels natural, as opposed to fake leather, which either has no scent or smells like plastic. It is advised to visit any reputable leather store and go through their products in order to determine the odor of real leather from faux leather. To get a feel of what genuine leather smells like, smell some of them.
Do a Moisture Check
Similar to human skin, genuine leather may absorb moisture. Drop some water on your leather shoes to make sure. The leather is authentic if water can go inside it. If the water is still present on the surface, it’s fake leather.
Weight
When compared to a pair of shoes made of synthetic leather, real leather shoes weigh more.
It lasts longer
Perhaps this cannot be checked without using your leather shoes for a long time. Leather is widely known for its durability. If you purchase a pair of real leather shoe, it means that you have made a long-term investment. The real leather not only lasts longer than you expected but also produces a patina over time, which makes the leather shinier and newer looking. However, you need to take good care of your leather shoe since you are paying hefty bucks.
Here are some useful tips for taking care of your leather shoes:
- Don’t wear your shoes every day. Leather needs to breathe, just like your skin.
- Dirt, stains, and mud can permanently stick to leather shoes if you don’t clean them. So, clean them after each use.
- Use a good-quality leather spray to protect your leather shoes.
- Store leather shoes with a shoe tree in them.
- Avoid inclement weather. Don’t wear your leather shoes in heavy rain and stormy weather. Always keep a spare shoe in your car to avoid bad weather.
- Every six years, polish them. Use the same polish color for your leather shoes.
- Store shoes in a dust bag when not in use.
Faux and Real Leather
The difference between faux and real leather is that faux leather is a man-made material that is made to look like a natural, leather-like material. Faux leather is made from polyurethane and polyester that is sprayed with a finish and sometimes pigments. On the other hand, real leather is a material that is made from the skin of an animal, usually cattle or goats. Real leather is then processed to make it look like a texture that gives it a more natural appearance.
The difference between faux and real leather shoes is a tricky thing to define. There are a lot of in-between options. One of the main differences between faux and real leather shoe is the type of materials they are made out of. Faux leather is made of a variety of materials, including PVC, urethane, and plastic. Real leather is made out of animal hides.
Sometimes, these animal hides can be treated and processed in a variety of ways, but the main point is that real leather is made of animal hides. Real leather shoes may be made of suede, nubuck, or full-grain leather. They may also have a leather lining. Faux leather may be made of a variety of materials, but the difference is that the material might not be real leather. The faux leather may be made of PVC, urethane, or plastic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the aforementioned advice can help you distinguish between real and fake leather shoes. Find well-known leather brands that sell premium leather shoes and get your favorite pair of shoes to upgrade your look. We hope you enjoyed our article on the difference between faux and real leather shoes. If you are on the hunt for a new pair of shoes and are unsure, you can consult this article to find out the differences between real and faux leather.
We hope that you will find the article helpful and that you will be able to make a purchase that is perfect for you. Many people like to use the word “leather” to describe any kind of material that is created with a cow’s skin. However, there are two types of materials that are typically called “leather”: faux leather and true leather. In our blog post, we talk about the differences between these two designs so that you can be sure you are buying the right shoe. Now that you know, why not try out these tips and find a good pair of shoes for a great price.
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