Vegan Leather vs PU Leather: What is the difference?

Whenever you explore the market for shopping leather items, you will notice great price variation. This is because not every leather item is made with real leather. Almost 80% of the items are manufactured with synthetic or artificial leather.

Vegan leather and PU leather are both artificial types of leather but they have some differences and similarities. Read the article about vegan leather vs PU leather to know all the information on these two leather types so you have the basic know-how while purchasing.

Vegan Faux Leather vs PU Leather – Detailed Comparison

Vegan Leather

Vegan (Faux) leather is a fake or artificial leather type that has no animal skin involved in the manufacturing process. This is why it is also called vegan leather as materials like plants, trees, etc are involved in the making. Faux leather has many types which include PU leather as well.

As mentioned above, it is manufactured with different materials so the end result is somewhat near to the real leather. One of the major differences is that vegan (faux) leather is thin, and lightweight, and the quality will vary too.

Some manufacturers who demand high prices for vegan leather products make sure that the quality is top-notch. Although it cannot reach the level of genuine leather they try to create a resemblance.

The reason that people still prefer faux leather over real leather is that it is completely waterproof as material like plastic is involved in the manufacturing process. When it comes to comfort, it cannot beat the feeling of real leather because it is made with natural materials.

All the products that are made artificially are not sustainable and the same is the case with faux leather. This cannot decompose and harms the environment by adding to land or water pollution.

The products made with this kind of artificial leather are not suitable for use in summer because they are not breathable and comfortable. Hence you can easily be fooled by the appearance of all the artificial leathers because they look the same as the real ones.

PU Leather

Polyurethane leather is a type of faux leather but is not always vegan. It is a type of artificial or synthetic leather that is manufactured with a combination of different materials including animal skin, kelp, trees, plastic, or polyester.

This was made as an alternate or affordable version of real leather because most people could not afford to buy genuine leather products. The advantage of using PU or polyurethane leather is that it can be transformed into many designs, textures, or colors.

This is not common in items manufactured with real leather because they are imperfect. Although polyurethane leather is a great alternative that produces less pollution but does not decompose, it adds to land pollution.

People prefer using PU leather products because they are against harming animals. The appearance, texture, and finish are almost the same as genuine or real leather which makes it difficult for people to differentiate between them.

Moreover, PU leather is lightweight, affordable, and does not need much maintenance. It retains its color even after being exposed to the harmful rays of the Sun because it goes through many processes before coming into the final form.

Although PU leather is not as durable as real leather but can last for 5 to 6 years easily. You will experience cracks and the leather will start peeling off if you use the items consecutively for some time.

Difference between PU vs Vegan Leather

When you draw a comparison between vegan faux leather and PU leather, you will notice a major difference. PU leather does not only use vegan materials in the manufacturing process. It can have some leftovers of animal skin from the manufacturing of real leather by the companies. Different items are made with vegan leather including shoes, jackets, belts, etc. for people who are against animal abuse.

The similarities are more than the differences because PU leather is a subtype of faux leather. Both of them are affordable, not breathable, and lightweight.

The appearance of these types of leather is the same as real leather but these have more color and design options. Hence both, PU leather and faux leather are great alternatives for people who want to use leather products but cannot invest in real leather products because of their high price tags.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vegan leather the same as PU leather?

Vegan and PU leather are both types of artificial leather but Vegan leather is made with materials that do not have any animal skin involved in the manufacturing.

Does vegan leather crack?

Yes, faux or vegan leather does peel off or crack easily because it becomes dry with time. This is the opposite of real leather and does tear up quickly.

Is vegan leather just plastic?

Vegan leather is not always made with plastic. It is manufactured with a combination of materials including plants and trees.

Concluding Vegan Leather vs PU Leather Comparison

You can read a comparison article on vegan faux leather vs PU leather to know the basic difference and similarities. Both of these are artificially made and resemble real leather but the price, texture, and design can vary.

They are considered an alternative to real leather which is expensive but stays in good condition for decades. I hope the information will help you know the basic difference so you can identify the leather type before purchasing any product.