Real and Faux Leather
What Is Leathersoft?
Leathersoft is a faux leather used on Bible covers and contains no leather. What it is, how it differs from bonded and genuine leather, and how long it lasts.
Leathersoft is a synthetic, leather-look cover material used for Bibles, and it contains no leather. Thomas Nelson, which writes the name with a trademark symbol, calls Leathersoft coverings "faux vegan leather". It says they come in more colors at more accessible prices.
This answer is part of our hub on real vs. faux leather.
What Leathersoft is made of
Publishers don't say which plastic it is. Thomas Nelson's FAQ says only "faux vegan leather". Faux leathers in general are built from plastic layers such as PU or PVC over a fabric layer, but none of the publisher pages we read names the material behind Leathersoft.
Where you see the name
- Bibles and devotional books. A publisher-bookstore lists a study Bible's format as "Leathersoft cover" with a leather look and feel.
- Other publishers, other names. Crossway, for example, sells "Imitation Leather" and a soft synthetic it calls TruTone, and doesn't use the word Leathersoft.
- Bookbinding in general. Leatherette has long been used for book covers; see what leatherette is.
Don't confuse Leathersoft with "soft leather". That same Leathersoft listing sits at a web address reading "soft-leather". Soft leathers such as nappa are real hide; see our guide to leather types.
Is Leathersoft real leather?
No. Its publisher calls it faux vegan leather, so it isn't tanned animal hide. To check any cover, read the binding or format line in the product details. Publishers that sell both list imitation, bonded and genuine leather as separate options.
Leathersoft vs. bonded leather vs. genuine leather
Which is better, bonded leather or Leathersoft? No source we found tests one against the other. Bonded leather does contain some leather, and Leathersoft contains none. For bonded leather in detail, see bonded leather vs. real leather.
| Column 1 | Leathersoft | Bonded leather | Genuine leather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contains leather? | No | Shredded leather fibers with a binder, 10–90% leather | Yes, tanned hide |
| Known weak point | Surface of some artificial leathers rubs off with time | Low grades may flake within a few years | Doesn't delaminate; a painted finish can flake |
| Durability claim | "Durability for every day use" (publisher) | Varies widely with composition | One publisher rates it more durable than its imitation, synthetic and bonded covers |
How long does a Leathersoft cover last?
No publisher gives a number of years. The bookstore listing claims "the longevity needed for daily" use, which is a sales description, not a test. If a cover turns out to be PU, the disagreeing lifespan estimates are compared in how durable PU leather is.
Where to see real leather
Leather Collection doesn't sell faux leather; store searches for faux materials return no products. Its men's leather jackets name the hide on every product page.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.