What is nubuck leather and how to differentiate it?

Did you know that leather has many different types?

Have you ever gone to a leather store and felt dumbfounded to find so many types and didn’t know what to buy?

Well, we have all been there. Questions that often arise in your mind when you visit a leather store are something like this.

What is Nubuck leather?
What is top-grain leather?
How are these types different?

Which one should I choose? And many, many more.

We are not surprised by it anymore because we have also come across numerous customers who had these endless questions. As a leather buyer, you should be aware of the leather types and their properties. If you go blindly into the market, you might even become a victim of leather scams.

Yes, leather scams exist. Not every retailer is honest with you. There are many retailers and manufacturers who are selling faux leather goods in the name of real leather, and only a knowledgeable buyer can differentiate between them. Hence, we have created this blog to help you understand everything about nubuck leather so you can identify it when you see it.

What is Nubuck Leather?

When it comes to leather accessories for men, there aren’t that many options. On top of that, it becomes harder to choose a good quality leather type. Nubuck leather is similar to suede leather, but it is more durable. Since it is created from the top grain of the hide, its durability is its biggest strength. With great looks and the finest quality, nubuck leather is used to make a wide variety of leather products worldwide.

How is Nubuck Leather Made?

For the production of Nubuck leather, the top grain of cowhide is used because it’s more resilient. Unlike suede leather, which is created using the inner layer of the hide, nubuck leather is extremely durable and strong. Since the top layer of the hide is used for its production, there are visible imperfections on the surface. This can be a negative point for some people if they are looking for perfect-looking leather goods, but the thing with leather is that its imperfections make it perfect.

Quality

Leather is an expensive material, and when you are spending so much money, you deserve to get a high-quality product. Nubuck leather is considered to be a high-quality leather type because it is made from top-grain leather. It’s tougher, rougher, and more resilient as compared to suede, bicast, and bonded leather. However, it is also worth mentioning that besides being strong, nubuck leather is also sensitive to soiling and staining due to its rough surface.

Appearance

Nubuck leather goes through the process of sanding and brushing to acquire a velvety feel. Once it achieves that, it can be dyed in any colour. It is soft to the touch and can have scratches easily. Since the pattern of fibre changes with the use, the colour also changes. Nubuck leather is also capable of developing a patina with extended use, and it gives a more valuable and weathered look to the leather.

If you look at it this way, both nubuck and suede leather look the same. There aren’t as many differences that you can point out when it comes to appearance, but when it comes to quality, nubuck leather is superior. At the end of the day, it varies from person to person. Everyone has different choices, and some people might prefer suede leather over nubuck leather because they might care about the money more than the quality.

Products Nubuck Leather is Used For

Nubuck leather is a well-known leather type used for products like leather shoes, bags, leather accessories for men, jackets, furniture, and many other items. More commonly, it is used for the fashion industry because of its rich history with fashion products like boots, shoes, and bags. It is also very easy to customise. If you want to add some things in nubuck leather to make it more personal, you can easily do that. All you have to do is search for a reliable retailer who is willing to make it possible for you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nubuck Leather

One of the biggest advantages of nubuck leather is that it is highly durable and resilient. It can be considered a one-time purchase if you are willing to take care of it. One thing that makes leather worth the price is its durability. If you can enjoy using your leather bag for a decade, why would you mind spending a good amount of money on it?

It is also extremely comfortable to use and flexible when it comes to ageing. Other leather types, like suede and bonded leather, don’t age gracefully because they are not made of high-quality leather. For leather to age well, it is vital for it to be of high quality; otherwise, it will wear and tear with time. Nubuck leather is also used for a variety of products because of its versatile look; it looks good no matter what. So, if you invest in nubuck leather, you won’t be making a bad deal.

There are also some disadvantages that shouldn’t be missed. One is the sensitivity of this material. It is likely to get more scratches, and you cannot handle it roughly if you want to use it for a long time. You should also keep it away from oil and stains because they can easily damage nubuck leather. You need to be extra careful with this leather type while wearing it outside. This is a disadvantage because you don’t have to be that cautious with other types.

Conclusion

If you are in search of high-quality leather but don’t know what leather type is suitable, we answered this question for you. Nubuck leather is truly a masterpiece and has incredible properties to make your leather experience unworldly. Once you start using it yourself, you will know what we are talking about, and you won’t regret it.