this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2023
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You Should Know

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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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[–] PreMalone 110 points 2 years ago (4 children)

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

[–] MargotRobbie 47 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You can leave reddit, but you can't leave the redditor on the inside.

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[–] washabe 22 points 2 years ago (5 children)

I mean, reposting things that were on Reddit before would be a good way to get more content on here

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[–] derf82 74 points 2 years ago (23 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.

[–] MargotRobbie 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Yeah, honestly you should buy leather products based on brands than on description of "genuine" leather.

And agree, real leather is a much better alternative to the ridiculous amount of micro-plastic synthetic leather generates, especially since it'll last you decades if you maintain it well.

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[–] 8to32characters 35 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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/

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago

"the real lpt is in the comments"

[–] SweetSitty 29 points 2 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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[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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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[–] BigTrout75 22 points 2 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.

[–] Zansacu 18 points 2 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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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 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.

[–] MiddleWeigh 13 points 2 years ago

It's been designed by time. Why manufacture something that has been provided? Seems like an unnecessary step, and a large reason for much of our problems. My s.o. works leather as a hobby, and it's really cool. All the stuff she's made me is better than anything I've had before.

[–] wotsit_sandwich 8 points 2 years ago

I bought a leather belt in Prague as a nice souvenir. Stil wearing it almost daily over 20 years later. I replaced the stitching but the leather is still rock solid.

[–] kcdaguy 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

Any cloth i have seen in cars absorbs my swet, and is hard to clean up afterwards, unlike leather.

[–] decadentrebel 8 points 2 years ago

I like how leather feels like and the unique look when it's aged or beaten up. Works great with wallets, belts, shoes... but not so much your couch, especially when it's hot and humid.

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[–] Arete 19 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] BlueDepth9279 12 points 2 years ago

Bonded leather is less than 20% real leather and made from scraps and fibers of genuine leather combined with binders. It’s generally not as durable as genuine leather.

[–] MadWorks 17 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It's like leather veneer, in most cases.

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[–] zorrothefox2001 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Well yes but my wallet is cool and on a chain

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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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[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago (4 children)

All I can say is that it's still at least leather. Most things (e.x., belts) will say "manmade leather" or "manmade materials" and they are fake and break. The genuine leather belt I have has been working for 4 years without snapping.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago

Also I highly recommend avoiding man leather.

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[–] toxicbubble 10 points 2 years ago (3 children)

plant based leather exists

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago (8 children)

Is it really leather, though?

[–] MargotRobbie 11 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I can't believe it's not leather!

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[–] mtorpey 11 points 2 years ago

One for the philosophers.

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[–] RedMarsRepublic 9 points 2 years ago (18 children)
[–] lich_hegemon 19 points 2 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.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago (1 children)

In the right context, leather goods are much more durable and sustainable than synthetic alternatives. That said, leather is a co-product of the meat and dairy industry which is currently ridiculously unsustainable. Leather for leathers sake in designer goods and such is ridiculous.

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

Could you please add a "Why YSK:"? It's rule #2. Thank you. :)

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

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

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