Why Genuine Leather? The Complete Guide

Leather vs. Synthetic: What You Are Really Buying

Walk into any shoe shop today and the shelves are full of materials described as “leather-look,” “vegan leather,” or simply “PU.” These are plastic-based materials — polyurethane or PVC bonded to a fabric backing. They look similar on day one. By month six, they crack, peel, and lose their shape entirely.

Genuine leather is a natural material. It has a cellular structure that breathes, flexes, and responds to your body. No synthetic material replicates this — and no amount of marketing language changes that fact.

Why Leather Is Better for Your Feet

1. Breathability

Leather is naturally porous. It allows air to circulate around the foot, reducing moisture build-up and the conditions that cause discomfort and odour. Synthetic uppers trap heat and sweat — particularly during long days on your feet.

2. It Molds to Your Foot

Genuine leather stretches and softens with wear. Over the first few weeks, a leather shoe shapes itself to the unique contours of your foot — the width of your toe box, the height of your instep, the angle of your heel. The result is a fit that becomes more personal over time, not less.

3. Natural Temperature Regulation

Leather provides insulation in cooler temperatures and breathes in warmer conditions. Synthetic materials do neither — they remain the same temperature as the air around them, offering no protective buffer for the foot.

4. Reduced Pressure Points

Because leather yields to the shape of the foot rather than forcing the foot into a fixed shape, it distributes pressure more evenly. This makes a significant difference for people who spend long hours standing or walking.

Durability: The Long-Term Calculation

A well-made pair of genuine leather shoes, properly cared for, will last five to ten years. A synthetic alternative typically lasts twelve to eighteen months before the material begins to fail. When you calculate cost per wear, leather is almost always the more economical choice — and the more sustainable one.

At 37 Brand Shoes, we source full-grain and top-grain leathers selected for consistency, hand, and longevity. Every hide is inspected before cutting. We do not use bonded leather or leather substitutes in our uppers.

Suede: A Special Case

Suede is produced from the underside of the hide, giving it a soft, napped finish. It is lighter and more supple than smooth leather, making it ideal for loafers, mules, and ankle boots where drape and flexibility matter. Suede requires slightly more care — a suede brush and protective spray — but rewards that attention with a texture and richness that no synthetic can match.

How to Identify Genuine Leather

Look for these signs: slight natural variation in the grain, a faint animal smell when new, edges that show layers of material rather than a clean synthetic cut, and a surface that warms to the touch. Genuine leather will never peel in sheets — if it does, it is bonded or synthetic.

Our Materials at 37 Brand

Our current collection uses genuine smooth leather, genuine suede, nubuck, pebbled leather, and croco-embossed leather. Each material is selected for the specific demands of the style it is used in — structural leather for boots and loafers, supple suede for mules and flats, textured leather for statement pieces.