Why YSK: The term "Genuine Leather" is a marketing term to sell the lowest quality leather possible.

When purchasing a leather product, look for full grain leather or top grain leather instead. These will provide a much higher quality cut of leather that will look and feel much better and last for much longer.

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[–] 66 points 3 years ago (4 children)

This really is a perfect replacement for reddit, we even have the same reposted fun facts

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    [–] 62 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Not quite. The truth is, there is no universally recognized grades of leather. But when bragging about quality, genuine leather is the lowest bar they can go (other than bonded leather, which isn’t fully leather but just a veneer over fabric.

    Full grain or top grain is generally what you want.

    https://lifehacker.com/what-genuine-leather-really-means-1850309049

    Also, some are concerned about the use of an animal product. The vast majority of leather is a byproduct of the beef industry. It is skin that would otherwise go to waste. And it is also far more environmentally friendly a material than many alternatives, which are often made of plastics.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    It's the industry recapturing some of its costs by reducing waste. That's still supporting the industry.

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  • [–] 26 points 3 years ago (8 children)

    You should also know that technically only the piece marked as genuine leather needs to actually be genuine leather. If you buy something made with multiple pieces, the rest could be made from any material so long as that one piece is genuine.

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    [–] 16 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Not exactly true. "genuine leather" is a specific grade of leather product.

    Here's a decent breakdown of leather types: https://bosca.com/blog/types-of-leather-a-glossary/

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    [–] 9 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Well yes but my wallet is cool and on a chain

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    [–] 9 points 3 years ago (13 children)

    Can somebody explain why leather is better? It's it the smell? The feel? Tradition? I see it in car reviews where they complain about cloth.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    My best guess (not in the community or anything) is that leather does better at being durable—especially if you treat it well and condition it regularly?—than cloth and plastic-leather alternatives, which break down. I know leather is meant to be very durable and have good “properties,” but I can’t be specific.

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  • [–] 12 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I’ve had a leather belt for about 25 years now that I bought for like $10, wear it multiple times a week. In all those years I’ve gone through multiple other belts that haven’t lasted.

    Far as I see it, leather belts are the most economical and better for the environment than constantly manufacturing lesser lasting belts.

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  • [–] 7 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    It is something people think they want because it is more expensive and in higher trim levels in cars. But when your car is parked in the hot sun the leather feels like it burns and in the winter is freezing to the touch. Leather also doesn't breath so you end up sweating more and if your are not wearing long pants your leg will stick to the seat. Cloth is so much better functionally. Cloth also lasts longer than the fake leather they put in cars. Cloth won't peel like the fake leather.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    It's breathable but works in both warm and cold weather. This makes it ideal for spring and autumn. It's easy to clean although it's also hard to maintain (you have to oil it and protect it against rain). It lasts for very long if you care for it unlike fabric or fake leather, so a leather jacket can be worn for decades and still look and feel great.

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    [–] 8 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    If you think about it, it makes sense. All they are saying it's that is actually real leather which is the least you could say about leather.

    To add to the naming fun: Corinthian Leather.

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    [–] 8 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    In one of those 70s Fat Albert episodes, I think it was Rudy who one day showed up wearing a jacket of "genuine imitation leather". That term has stuck with me for decades.

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    [–] 8 points 3 years ago (2 children)
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    [–] 8 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    I thought "genuine" was the middle grade, with "bonded" being the lowest. Bob's Furniture used to market "genuine bonded leather" sofas which I found both clever and infuriating.

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  • [–] 7 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    plant based leather exists

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  • [–] 11 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    Is it really leather, though?

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (9 children)
  • [–] 10 points 3 years ago

    It has its place.

    For example, leather in second hand products it's great because it's durable and often high quality. And, whatever you do, the animal has already been killed and paid for.

    I would also buy leather products if it's for something that I intend to use for many years. It sort of offsets the environmental damage from buying multiple synthetic products.

    Then again, I'm not vegan.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (7 children)

    Wonder what the people who are downvoting this are thinking. Is it not murder, or is it only a restproduct of murder?

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    [–] 6 points 3 years ago

    Also known as "It's really leather, I promise."

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago

    I've seen the videos on youtube where they scrape away the top layer on some expensive item to find that its a thin skin of leather covering plastic.

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