Comparing bag materials. What's the difference? A detailed explanation from a professional about synthetic leather and genuine leather!

Hello, I'm Sugawara, a designer.

When buying a bag, many people wonder, "Which is better: genuine leather or synthetic leather?" To put it simply, both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it depends on the person who uses them. So, first I would like to explain the difference between synthetic leather and genuine leather!

First of all, synthetic leather is an artificial material made to resemble leather. It is made from knitted or woven fabric, with polyurethane resin pasted on top. The visible part of modern synthetic leather is the surface, which has artificially created wrinkles and grain to resemble natural leather.

First, the benefits

① Dirt is easy to remove. Synthetic resins often contain polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane resins, which are similar to vinyl and plastic, and they repel water and are therefore less likely to get dirty.

②No need for maintenance Genuine leather requires frequent maintenance, but synthetic leather does not. If it gets wet in the rain, you can just wipe it off, so it is recommended for those who don't want to bother with daily maintenance.

③Lighter than genuine leather: Synthetic leather is lighter than genuine leather even when the same amount of material is used. Also, unlike genuine leather, the material itself is cheaper to make and has no natural scratches, making it easier to harvest.

In addition, since there are no individual differences, the color, durability, elasticity, etc. are uniform. Next, the disadvantages: Genuine leather changes over time, and synthetic leather deteriorates over time due to hydrolysis.

This is caused by exposure to moisture, but even with proper use, this will inevitably occur over time.

■ Advantages and disadvantages of genuine leather

Let's start with the benefits

1. Enjoy the changes that occur over time The great thing about genuine leather is that you can enjoy the unique characteristics of leather, such as color changes, luster, and softness.

② Leather is durable Leather does not hydrolyze (explained in the disadvantages of synthetic leather), so it can be used for a long time.

3. Easy to get used to Because leather is elastic, it will change shape to fit the items you put in the bag, making it easy to use.

Next, the disadvantages are that it is vulnerable to sweat and water.

Leaving it wet can lead to mold or stains, and dyed leather may transfer color to clothing.

Also, just like human skin, leather will crack when it dries out, so regular maintenance is necessary to make it last longer.

So far, we have looked at the characteristics of both genuine leather and synthetic leather.

From here, I would like to explain which bag is recommended, genuine leather or synthetic leather, depending on the type.

[For those who want to use multiple bags depending on the outfit and scene of the day]

If you want to change the color of your bag depending on the season or your outfit, or if you want to use different bags depending on the amount of luggage you need for your daily commute or business trips, we recommend synthetic leather, which is inexpensive and requires no maintenance.

[I want to love and use one bag for a long time, both on and off the job]

If you want to use the same bag every day, both at work and at work, we recommend genuine leather, which is durable and changes over time.

So today, we bring you the question: Which is better, genuine leather or synthetic leather?

Both genuine leather and synthetic leather have their merits, so ideally you should have both! Try to find a bag made from your favorite material.

The video on this page is here

https://youtu.be/Hj0H3FYDqXQ?si=35XhQCiUDmNrApzm

YOUTA Representative and Designer Sugawara

There are a lot of cool clothes for men, but not many bags. So we decided to make our own. With this frank idea in mind, we launched the men's bag brand "YOUTA" in 2006. Having worked in various apparel-related jobs such as clothes, watches, and shoes, I focused on synthetic leather. It is a lightweight and rain-resistant material, so unlike leather, it does not require maintenance. The reason we chose synthetic leather is that it is "vegan leather," a non-animal material that suits the modern era. We hope that you will enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable business life with our high-quality bags certified by Toyooka Bags and playful customizations.