Real and Faux Leather
Bonded Leather vs. Real Leather
Bonded leather is shredded leather fiber (10-90%) glued to a backing; real leather is whole hide. How they differ in labels, wear, repair and how to tell.
Real leather is a whole hide, or a layer split from one, tanned so it doesn't rot. Bonded leather is leather scraps shredded into fiber and glued with polyurethane or latex onto a backing. Its leather content ranges from 10% to 90%. For anything you'll use hard, real leather is usually the better buy, since bonded leather is typically less durable and hard or impossible to repair.
This comparison is part of our hub on real vs faux leather. For what bonded leather is and where it's used, see what bonded leather is.
Bonded vs real leather at a glance
| Column 1 | Real leather | Bonded leather |
|---|---|---|
| Starting material | Tanned hide or skin, fiber structure intact | Shredded leather fiber on a fiber or paper backer |
| Leather content | All of it | 10–90% |
| Surface | Natural marks such as scars and veining | Even, with no natural defects |
| Color | Can be dyed or finished | A surface treatment that doesn't penetrate |
| Peeling | Doesn't delaminate; a painted finish can flake | Low grades can flake within a few years |
| Damage | If a painted finish flakes, the leather underneath stays intact | Difficult or impossible to repair |
| US label | "Leather" if all substantial parts are leather | Shouldn't be sold as plain leather; share of leather should be stated |
Is bonded leather real leather?
It contains real leather, but the rules don't treat it as leather. A European definition says sheets made from tanned hide broken down into fibers or powder aren't leather. Standard EN 15987:2011 still lets the material be called "bonded leather" if it holds at least 50% dry leather by weight. In the US, bonded leather shouldn't be presented as leather, and the percentage of leather fiber should be disclosed.
Bonded leather vs faux (imitation) leather
Bonded leather has some leather in it. Faux leather has none: it's a fabric coated with polyurethane or PVC.
We found no test comparing how long the two last, so we don't rank them. More on the coated kind is in what PU leather is and how durable PU leather is.
| Column 1 | Bonded leather | Faux (imitation) leather |
|---|---|---|
| Leather fiber | 10–90% | None |
| Binder or coating | Polyurethane, latex or natural rubber | Polyurethane or PVC |
| Known failure | PU-coated layers can delaminate | PU-coated layers can delaminate |
| US label | Leather percentage disclosed | "Not leather" or "Imitation leather" |
How long does bonded leather last compared with real leather?
It depends on the recipe. Low-grade bonded leather may flake within a few years, while better grades are considered very durable. Some better bonded leathers are claimed to outlast low-quality genuine leather. Real leather doesn't delaminate or peel the way coated materials do. A split hide with a polyurethane coat, called bicast, sits in between; see what bicast leather is.
How to tell bonded leather from real leather
- Read the label. In the US, bonded leather should state its leather share. One furniture maker's bonded upholstery held only 10–17% leather.
- Look at a cut edge or the back. Bonded leather sits on a fiber or paper backer. Real leather shows its own fibers.
- Check the surface. A perfectly even surface with no marks is a clue.
More checks are in how to tell real leather from faux leather.
In this short video from the Rub 'n Restore® channel, a leather-restoration product maker sprays water on vinyl, bonded (composite) leather, suede and finished and aniline leathers, and shows the man-made backing under a bonded sample. Two points to watch: it calls bonded leather "technically a synthetic", while this page treats it as shredded leather fiber in a binder, and it shows that some bonded leathers have a faux-suede backing and that finished real leather also beads water, so neither the back nor a water drop settles it on its own.
Which should you choose?
| If you... | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want something that can be repaired later | Real leather | Bonded leather is hard or impossible to repair |
| Want an even look with no natural marks | Either; bonded is uniform by design | – |
| Are buying a book cover or desk accessory | Check the label | Paper-backed bonded leather may hold less leather |
| Can't find a leather percentage | Ask the seller | US guides say it should be disclosed |
FAQ
Is bonded leather as good as real leather?
Usually not for durability. It's typically not as durable as genuine leather and is hard to repair.
What is another name for bonded leather?
Reconstituted, composition or blended leather.
Where to buy hide leather
Store searches for bonded leather turn up nothing made of it. Every Leather Collection men's leather bag is cut from cowhide or buffalo leather.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.