Genuine Leather Jacket Vs Faux Leather Jackets: Which One Should You Buy?

Leather jackets have always had a big boss energy. But the second you start shopping, you’re whacked with the big question - genuine or faux? And that’s where things start going wonky.

One side promises all premium vibes and literally, years of use. The other promises something much bigger - keeping your cash flow happy, mate. But here’s the kicker: it’s not always about the money. You sometimes just have to pick a side to get the better one. So, which is the better one? Back to the drawing board, eh. Well, the answer isn’t black and white

So, we’ve come up with this blog to help you decide. This guide will uncover all faux and genuine leather jacket secrets so that you don’t splash your cash on the wrong jacket.

Difference Between Genuine Leather & Faux Leather

Features	Genuine Leather	Faux Leather
Material Source	Real animal hide	Synthetic material
Lifespan	20+ years	2-5 years
Aging	Develops patina	Peels & cracks
Breathability	Moderate airflow	Low to no airflow
Water Resistance	Slightly absorbent	Highly resistant
Maintenance	Needs conditioning and care	Easy to clean and maintain
Smell	Warm, woodsy, oaky smell	Plasticky, chemical-like odour
Weight	Heavy	Lightweight
Repairability	Easy to repair	Tough to repair
Custom Character	Unique grain patterns	Identical looks / factory-made
Price	More expensive	budget-friendly

Overall Composition

Genuine leather comes straight out of Mother Nature - basically from animal hide. Cowhide is the most common. However, at Prime Leather, we prefer sheepskin and lambskin as they’ve got a more top-shelf vibe. The rawhide goes through a ton of processes.

From curing and pickling to tanning, each step is done with fair care. Because one slip can throw the whole finish off, fair dinkum. Faux leather, though, is a whole different story. It’s fully man-made from polyester material that’s heavily coated in polyurethane. Fun fact: the polyester is textured through stamps so that it looks like the real deal.

Durability

When it comes to durability, genuine leather wins every single time. Because animal hide is naturally tough, it can take a beating. That said, you have to look after it. If you keep wearing it without any care, the poor thing won’t last more than a year. But, a high-quality genuine leather jacket, say, a men’s biker leather jacket, easily lasts for up to 20 years.

Faux leather, sure has come a long way, but the max it can go for is 5 years. But other than that, it can’t keep its shape like the real thing. Plus, it’s not tough at all, so yeah it’ll start the peeling and cracking process pretty sooner than you’d expect.

Comfort & Breathability

Genuine leather’s a natural material, so it breathes - that simple! It’s pretty insulating, keeping you warm when it's freezing outside and vice versa. The best part about genuine leather is that the more you wear it, the more it becomes your size. This material literally moulds itself to your body, just like ballet shoes.

Faux leather (especially the PVC stuff) ain’t that good, to be honest. It doesn't breathe all that well. In fact, the material can end up trapping heat against your body, which can get a bit too snuggly for you than you’d like. As for comfort, PVC doesn’t stretch, so that tells you a lot about the breaking-in part.

Maintenance Requirements

Genuine leather does need a bit of regular care to keep it in good shape. There are a few other steps you need to follow beyond the regular dust-off and ‘store in a cool, dry place’ drill. For starters, you have to clean the leather with proper leather products. You got that right… Soapy water won't do with that real and expensive women’s shearling leather jacket.

Also, to avoid drying and cracking, you need to condition the leather properly. Compared to this, faux leather is much easier to handle. A quick wipe with a damp cloth does the job. It’s also a bit more forgiving when it comes to stains and spills.

Price Factor

The price gap between genuine and faux leather is hard to miss. Genuine leather goes a lot harder on the wallet than faux. This is one of the reasons most Aussies end up choosing faux leather. A good genuine leather jacket can cost you anywhere between $ 300 and $ 1000. Sure, Prime Leather sells the most premium-crafted, high-quality real leather jackets Australia for around $250, but that’s another story.

Faux leather is a lot more budget-friendly. You can literally pick it up from Amazon for like $30-$100. There are brands selling faux leather masked as real for $150 max. But low price comes with strings attached, you should know that.

Aging & Appearance

One of the real wins of genuine leather is how it ages. No kidding, once you wear an aged real leather jacket Australia, there’s no going back to the fresh one. Over time, genuine leather develops a texture called patina. It’s like a rich, deep glow with dark undertones. Scratches and creases don’t really spoil this kind of leather.

But with faux leather, there’s no such thing as ageing gracefully. It breaks down with time. Even if you’ve maintained it well, faux leather will develop cracks over time. The material starts peeling off as a sign of its last breath.

Identifying Genuine Leather Jacket vs Faux

Figuring out whether a leather jacket is real or fake isn’t as straightforward as it seems. The good thing is, the hints are always there.

Texture & Touch

Genuine leather feels soft and a little grainy. When you touch it, it’ll feel warm and wrinkly (in a good way). Faux leather is the opposite. Sure, it’s soft, but the texture is a lot smoother. Experts usually can tell the plasticky coolness.

Smell of the Material

Genuine leather jackets have a very leathery smell (like an earthy, oak-like smell). Faux jackets smell like plastic and chemicals, to be honest. A quick sniff test can tell these two leather types apart even by noobs. So keep the smell factor in mind when buying leather jackets online Australia.

Natural Imperfections

Real genuine leather jackets may be perfect in terms of craftsmanship, but the leather is anything but. You’ll notice stretch marks, insect bites (sometimes), and small scars on the leather jacket. Also, no two genuine leather jackets are alike… ever. Faux leather tends to be free from any kind of imperfections.

Water Test

A quick in-store trick to tell genuine and faux leathers apart is the water test. Just pour a few droplets of water on the leather and wait. Genuine leather absorbs water, and it’ll also develop a slight stain before the water dries. Faux leather won't take it in.

Flexibility & Wrinkles

Genuine leather jackets are tougher than fake ones. So, they also take in every hit. For example, if you press your finger against genuine leather, it’ll crease or flex and then naturally bounce back. But faux leather stays stiff no matter what.

Who Should Buy Genuine or Faux Leather Jackets?

Picking between genuine and faux leather jackets comes down to a few factors. The jacket should ideally support your lifestyle, your budget, and also be in line with your long-term expectations. Because let’s be honest, leather isn’t really just a jacket - it’s an investment. So real leather jackets Australia are best for long-term hoarders. If you need something that stays in your closet without getting all dried out like the Sahara, just get a genuine leather jacket and call it a day. That is if the budget doesn’t get in the way.

Remember, the price tag isn’t the only expense that comes with the genuine leather jacket. You’ll have to pay for high-quality leather cleaners and conditioners. So if you can’t buy leather jackets Australia that are expensive, skip the real ones. In this situation, you can qualify for a faux leather jacket because, as we like to put it, it’s the ‘common man’ version of a leather jacket. It’s also a lot low-fuss, so anyone can afford it.

Final Recommendation: If you can afford luxury, close your eyes and opt for a good genuine leather jacket because it goes a long way and looks every bit luxurious.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bonded leather, and is it the same as faux leather?

Bonded leather is not the same as faux leather. It’s made from leftover leather scraps and fibres mixed with polyurethane binders. So it’s like a mix of genuine and faux leather but doesn’t qualify as either one.

Which is more eco-friendly, real or faux leather?

Neither is perfectly eco-friendly. Genuine leather biodegrades naturally and lasts longer, making it more sustainable, but the production’s environmentally-damaging. Faux leather avoids animal harm, sure, but the plastic production damages the environment in the long term.

What is genuine imitation leather?

Genuine imitation leather refers to man-made leather designed in a way to look like real leather. It typically uses synthetic material like PU or PVC over fabric. So it mimics the appearance of real leather but doesn’t feel, smell, or insulate like the real one does. 

How to tell if a leather jacket is genuine or faux when buying online?

When buying leather jackets online Australia, read the product description carefully. Look for terms like ‘genuine leather’, ‘real leather’, and ‘top-grain leather’. You can even skim through the description specifically for animal hides, as usually sellers specify the material, and if they don’t, there’s something fishy. 

Is 100% leather the same as genuine leather?

Not exactly. 100% leather generally means that no synthetic material is used in the leather. But sometimes genuine leather also features some amount of synthetic fillers. So 100% leather is a bit more top-notch than just genuine leather.

Conclusion

Faux leather can be a practical option for budget conscious shoppers, but it generally does not offer the same durability and character as genuine leather. There, we said it. There’s no comparison between genuine and faux leather jackets for obvious reasons. Genuine leather is a natural beauty that’s durable, graceful, and every inch fancy. Each genuine jacket has its own distinctness.

Faux leather, on the other hand, is for wannabes. It's cost over quality, so yeah, it ends up in the dumpster sooner than you’d expect. But now you know why genuine leather jackets are better. So good luck getting your hands on a premium genuine leather jacket. And remember, it’s going to be worth it!