Eco-leather shoes: pros, cons and features

Not so long ago, the modern shoe market was replenished with another type of material from which shoes are made, namely ecological leather.

At first, buyers puzzled over the origin of the name for such a material, associating it with the environmentally friendly area where the product is made, using exclusively safe materials during its production process. In fact, everything turned out to be much simpler. The name of eco-leather is based on its artificial creation and safety when used by humans.

Everyone knows that genuine leather is animal skin processed in a special way, followed by tanning and the application of dyes. The process of creating eco-leather is significantly different; animal skins are not used ; the base for such leather is made of fabric. Manufacturers use cotton fabric, onto which a thin layer of polyurethane is applied to create strength and elasticity. The leather created in this way is very similar to natural leather, it is just as soft, flexible and has a presentable appearance. Since the materials used to create such leather do not harm human health, it is called ecological.

Since this type of material appeared in the footwear industry not so long ago, buyers often wonder about its quality. Like any product, eco-leather has its pros and cons, which you need to understand before purchasing shoes made from this type of material.

Advantages of eco-leather

Price . If you walk through a shoe store and look at the models of leather shoes presented, the first thing that will catch your eye when comparing seemingly similar boots is the price. While boots made from natural and eco-leather are very similar in appearance, the pricing policy for shoes made from eco-leather is lower. Because the manufacturer does not use real animal skins, replacing it with cheaper materials.
Elasticity . Since genuine leather has the natural property of stretching over time, be prepared for the fact that boots purchased according to size will increase in size in a few months and will no longer fit the leg so tightly. As for eco-leather, it is less prone to stretching and the purchased shoes will keep their shape much longer.
Hypoallergenic and non-toxic . For people with hypersensitivity to a variety of allergens, this point is especially important. It is unpleasant when new shoes made of genuine leather cause a very unpleasant reaction, provoked by the chemicals with which this leather was treated during tanning. Eco-leather is made from materials that are environmentally friendly for humans.
Lets air through . When making eco-leather, a thin layer of polyurethane with micropores is applied to the fabric, thus providing air access. That is, feet in such shoes will be more comfortable than in shoes made of artificial leather, which completely block the passage of air.
Durability . Since the fabric layer is covered with a layer of polyurethane, which is quite flexible and durable in its structure, eco-leather shoes are reliable and not prone to scratches and abrasion.
Colors . It is quite difficult to dye natural leather in some original color, completely eliminating its natural shade, which cannot be said about eco-leather. It lends itself to any coloring, acquiring bright unusual colors.

What is eco leather

The most popular type of artificial leather is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The downside of this product is its airtightness. Eco-leather is a new type of artificial leather that does not cause allergies, is breathable, and does not have the unpleasant smell of leatherette. The material consists of a layer of polyurethane and a fabric base (100% cotton). Products made from eco-leather are difficult to distinguish from natural ones - they are pleasant to the touch and have a presentable appearance.

What is the difference between eco-leather and artificial leather?

Polyurethane leather has a more complex production mechanism than PVC leather. All the necessary properties of the material are established during chemical synthesis, as a result of which no plasticizers are needed. What is the difference between eco-leather and leatherette? The main difference between these two materials is their structure. Leatherette cannot boast of frost resistance, air and vapor permeability. The only thing they have in common is water resistance. How to distinguish eco-leather from genuine leather? You can test materials using heat. Genuine leather is easy to heat up in your palms, while eco-leather will always remain cool.

Cons of eco-leather

Smell . Everyone knows the smell of genuine leather, which cannot be confused with anything else. In the production of eco-leather, polyurethane is used, which can in rare cases give off an unusual pungent odor that disappears after the first wear of the shoes.
Frost resistance . Compared to natural leather, eco-leather will not be as warm. When choosing winter shoes, pay attention to the inner filling of the shoes, for example, fur or felt.
Care . You need to look after eco-leather carefully and more carefully than natural leather. After getting wet, be sure to wipe with a cloth and use shoe polish. If cared for incorrectly or unscrupulously, such leather will quickly lose its presentation and may crack and leak.
Form . Buyers who are looking for comfortable wearing of shoes complain that shoes made of eco-leather cannot take the shape of the foot as much as natural ones, so they retain the shape of the last. When choosing, pay attention to the fact that such shoes will not wear out over time and will not become more comfortable if you felt uncomfortable standing in them when you first tried them on.
Manufacturer . When purchasing shoes made from eco-leather, choose trusted manufacturers who produce high-quality material. Some manufacturers save money by using cheap materials, which leads to the short-lived life of such shoes.

Details

What is the difference between eco-leather and leatherette

Some people think they are the same thing, but they are not. Eco-leather and leatherette are two completely different materials with different properties.

Production technology. Both materials are based on synthetic or fabric fabric. The difference is that a film coating, often PVC, is applied on top of leatherette, and polyurethane is applied to eco-leather.

Both materials have low strength, which is why they can last no more than two years.
Eco-leather allows air to pass through, while leatherette is an airtight material.
Both materials do not allow or absorb moisture.
If we compare these materials as upholstery material for furniture, there are differences. It lies in the fact that it is not cold and pleasant to sit on a sofa made of eco-leather, but leatherette material is unpleasant to the body and cold.
Eco-leather feels much softer and more pleasant to the touch than leatherette.
In contact with the body, leatherette can provoke allergic reactions. Eco leather - no.

What is the difference between eco-leather and genuine leather?

When buying clothes or shoes, many do not understand how to distinguish genuine leather from eco-friendly leather. But it's actually quite easy to do. How to distinguish:

Genuine leather is made from pre-processed animal skins. Eco-leather is made from polyurethane.
When comparing these materials for furniture upholstery, you need to understand that when sitting on natural leather for a long time, the body begins to sweat, and when eco-leather is used for furniture, it is pleasant to sit on it.
Eco-leather is a hypoallergenic material and cannot cause any irritation. Natural leather can provoke allergic reactions.
To distinguish these materials on a jacket or other clothing, you need to know that eco-leather is much more pleasant to the touch.

REFERENCE! Natural leather is almost always coated with an acrylic emulsion on top, which makes it rough.

Due to the emulsion coating, genuine leather has poor breathability, unlike synthetic leather.
The downside of eco-leather is its low strength compared to natural leather, which can last a long time.
Externally, these materials are very difficult to distinguish if eco-leather is properly processed.
It is impossible to answer unequivocally which of these materials is better, because both of them have a large number of both positive and negative properties.

Pros and cons of eco-leather

Eco-leather, like all other materials, has its pros and cons. Before purchasing products made from this material, you should familiarize yourself with them.

pros

Outwardly it is very similar to the natural one and sometimes people without experience in this field are not able to distinguish a fake.
Eco-leather perfectly allows air to pass through, which can be attributed to its main advantage. This means that the person who bought such a thing will feel comfortable and comfortable.
This material is soft and pleasant to the touch.
It is hypoallergenic, so this material can be worn by people with skin diseases and allergies.
Eco-leather is an environmentally friendly material.
Eco-leather is often used in the production of shoes, clothing, bags and other accessories.

REFERENCE! Thanks to the fabric base, it becomes possible to realize various design ideas.

Minuses:
Low level of frost resistance compared to natural leather.
Wear and tear - if an item is washed regularly, cracks and creases appear on the material, and it begins to deteriorate. Eco-leather is easily damaged and torn.
If you accidentally damage the eco-leather, the lower part, namely the cotton base, will become visible.
Prestige can be considered a disadvantage. When buying something made from genuine leather, a person feels more prestigious than when buying something made from eco-leather. However, recently eco-leather has become in great demand among popular designers, so it’s difficult to call it a minus.

How to care for leather car covers?

Special products for the care of eco-leather allow you to install light-colored covers on car seats. The chairs inevitably get dirty with slush from clothes. In summer, sweat mixed with city dust remains on them. If dirt cannot be removed with a damp cloth, you will have to study the range of leather and eco-leather cleaners in the car store. Before you buy, you need to ask the seller what they take most often.

You can study reviews about the effectiveness of various products on forums, but each manufacturer praises itself. A proven product can be recommended at a cover sewing salon. There are special recommendations from manufacturers for caring for different brands of eco-leather.

It is better for the car owner not to spill red wine and tomato sauce on light-colored eco-leather car covers. The porous structure of polyurethane is more pleasant than leatherette, but the dyes are instantly absorbed. You will have to spend more time and cleaning product to remove the stain.

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If the leatherette is not afraid of water, it is recommended to wipe eco-leather covers immediately, not allowing moisture to be absorbed. The same recommendations are given to owners of luxury foreign cars, upholstered inside with wood and natural suede.

Hydrophobia is attributed to the lack of eco-leather covers. New materials, for example, MB Tech, will not be damaged by mineral water spilled on the seat. Car seats should not be washed with water or left on wet clothes. Use special products to care for and remove stains.

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Since eco-leather has a porous structure, it is suitable for special cosmetics for caring for products made from genuine leather.

Eco leather bags

Due to the fact that polyurethane has good wear resistance and frost resistance, eco-leather bags have the same qualities, which is why they are very popular. In addition, the products have a presentable appearance, since the cotton base is an ideal field for bringing the most incredible design ideas to life. Pu-leather is very pliable, which is why it bends well and can take on the desired shape. The most important psychological factor is that you don’t have to kill an animal to have a prestigious handbag.

Eco leather for furniture

The furniture market offers a wide range of upholstered furniture made from eco-leather. Today, choosing a sofa for a children's room or an office chair from this material of the desired texture and color will not be a problem. On the market you can find different styles of items from it - from modern to classic. The reasonable price of eco-leather for furniture makes the products very popular. Such furniture also has disadvantages:

the material absorbs paint from fabrics, so it is better to choose sofas and armchairs in darker colors;
eco-leather cannot be washed or soaked in water to prevent stains;
upholstered furniture always remains cold; it is better to cover it with a blanket in winter;
cats can also leave marks on the sofa, so if you have pets, it is better to avoid such a purchase.

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Where to buy a down jacket made of eco-leather?

Winter jackets made of eco-leather have become very popular today. You can buy them not only online, but also in specialized salons or even on the market. The most expensive products are offered in showrooms. Down jackets from world brands such as Montclair, Zara, etc. are presented here. The products are of high quality and excellent appearance.

Eco-leather is much cheaper on the market. What reviews can you hear about it? The most varied. After all, down jackets on the market are not of high quality, but they have an attractive appearance. Consumers who plan to use the product for no more than one season are completely satisfied with their choice.