Nubuck - what kind of material is it, artificial and natural? Caring for nubuck shoes. Difference between suede and nubuck

determine quality, what you need to know

Technological progress does not stand still, and manufacturers of men's shoes regularly replenish their range with models made from new materials, but this does not mean that long-known and loved ones are fading into the shadows. Some of the most popular are still nubuck and suede. They are often confused, and sometimes these words are even used as synonyms, which, of course, is completely wrong.

This is due to the fact that outwardly these two materials are practically indistinguishable, but the technologies used in their production are different, which means that they also have different properties. That is why, when buying shoes, you should definitely clarify what exactly they are made of - nubuck or suede.

Nubuck and suede - what's the difference?

Nubuck is leather that is processed using the chrome tanning method. It is fine-haired and has a polished front surface. But suede refers to soft leather, which is tanned using the fat method. To make it, they take the skin of deer, elk or small cattle. Due to the fact that it is impregnated with fats, it retains elasticity and softness. Nubuck is produced using the skin of cattle, and the method of tanning it makes it especially vulnerable to dirt and salt.

Low wear resistance makes nubuck shoes less attractive when choosing everyday models; they are practically not protected from the influence of external factors and can be easily damaged. In addition, this material is very demanding in care; only special products can be used for it. Another significant factor that makes nubuck not as popular on the market as suede is its rigidity and inelasticity. Shoes made from it are difficult to wear and do not guarantee much comfort.

Therefore, every time, seeing that the manufacturer indicated both nubuck and suede as the material (often one of the words is written in brackets), you need to clarify what exactly was used when sewing the pair. It’s even better to turn to the assortment of a brand that knows the differences between these materials and does not hide what they make their shoes from.

If more than enough is known about such a material as leather, then, for example, what is the difference between suede and nubuck, few will answer. And this information will come in handy when choosing new shoes or outerwear, because the type of material directly affects the beauty of the item, its durability, and the time required for care. So, leather, nubuck, suede - what's the difference between them? What raw materials are used to make them? What is the scope of use? After reading the article, you will find out the answers to these and a number of other questions.

Leather

Genuine leather is a unique natural product whose history dates back thousands of years. It is used for the manufacture of clothing, shoes, accessories, as well as furniture production (upholstery of upholstered furniture). Despite the fact that more and more new varieties of materials appear on the market, leather does not lose its relevance.

Advantages:

1. A beautiful, noble and respectable appearance, indicating not only a solid status, but also the refined taste of the owner. Small abrasions on the surface of leather products give the product a special charm and in no case look sloppy.
2. Reliability and practicality to wear.
3. Easy to care for.
4. Durability. Leather items are quite expensive, but their long service life makes them more economical than other materials.

The disadvantages include the fact that natural leather cannot be classified as a completely unpretentious material. It does not tolerate dampness (it stretches greatly) and exposure to UV rays. And, of course, the disadvantages include the high price of the material. If the last factor does not scare you, then to wear any items made from this material for a long time, you just need to know how to properly care for them. You can read about this in our following articles:

Important! Many people ask: which is better - nubuck or leather? Each of these materials is good in its own way. Another thing is that leather is definitely more practical.

Nubuck

This is one of the varieties of natural leather. Despite the fact that nubuck products are widely represented on the market, there are many false statements about it. For example, for some reason many people believe that this is one of the varieties of leatherette. In fact, this is genuine leather treated in a special way.

Important! The manufacturing technology is as follows. The leather is subjected to chrome tanning and then polished using abrasives: sand, sandpaper. The purpose of this treatment is to obtain a velvety surface that is very pleasant to the touch.

Another typical mistake: they often equate suede with nubuck. Although they have only one thing in common: they are based on the skin of various animals. To obtain nubuck, cattle leather is used, which determines its strength.

The scope of its application is quite diverse:

• Making footwear: boots, shoes, boots: for men, women and children.
• Bags, purses, accessories.
• Outerwear. Vests and jackets are quite durable and warm, although they are not as common as suede ones.
• Furniture production - as upholstery, as an alternative to leather and textiles.

Important! It is hardly correct to say that nubuck or suede is more practical, since each of them has its own area of ​​application.

Advantages:

• Beautiful appearance.
• Vapor permeability (the material “breathes”).
• Reasonable price.

Important! To appreciate all the advantages of this material, you need to be able to determine the quality of products and care for them. As an example, here are useful tips regarding shoes, since they are the most popular in using such material:

Flaws:

• Need for special care.
• Inability to wear in wet and dirty weather. Clothes and shoes can be hopelessly damaged.
• Less durable than regular leather.

Kinds

In addition to natural, there is artificial nubuck. Outwardly, it looks like natural material and is quite wear-resistant. However, the “breathing” effect in an artificial product is completely absent. Breathability is also lower than that of natural tanned leather. The cost of products made from artificial material is quite low.

In addition to natural and artificial nubuck, there is also a third variety - nubuck oil. This is a material impregnated with fat, which protects the product from getting wet.

Important! Nubuck oil shoes feel damp or a little greasy to the touch. As practice shows, this is an ideal option for demi-season shoes. Therefore, if you think what is better - suede or nubuck for this time of year, then the choice is obvious.

Suede

This is a material obtained from genuine leather of sheep, deer or wild goats. Type of dressing - tanning: fat or formaldehyde-fat. The suede itself is soft, but quite durable. Suede is used for sewing clothing and shoes, making bags and accessories, and in optics (polishing lenses).

The process of suede making (impregnating the skin with fish, whale or seal oil) is quite long and difficult, so products made from natural material are far from cheap. During the manufacturing process, it changes its characteristics and appearance.

The fashion industry does not stand still and constantly offers consumers new ideas and ways of self-expression. The texture of the raw materials from which a certain thing is created is of great importance in creating a harmonious appearance. In this article we will look at a fashionable attractive and velvety structure. It perfectly conveys the conservative ideas of formal shoes and equally successfully reflects the spirit of free style. Very often this material is mistaken for suede. Upon closer inspection, differences are still revealed. Nubuck - what is it?

Nubuck or suede?

Both of these materials occupy a worthy place in designer collections. They are ideal for sewing shoes, outerwear and small accessories. Many people are interested in natural nubuck. What kind of material is nubuck and how does it differ from suede? Let's consider further:

• Raw materials used. Deerskin is used to produce natural suede. Nubuck is made from the leather of cattle.
• Tanning method. Suede is traditionally treated with a grease treatment, while the chrome version is for a material called nubuck. What is this procedure? It provides softness and elasticity to the material, but gives it the unattractive ability to quickly get wet and take a long time to dry.
• Pile. Nubuck has a shorter pile length.
• Wear resistance. Suede is more suitable for long-term wear.

Nubuck shoes. Rules for caring for winter and summer models

Let's take a closer look at nubuck. What is this material and how to wear it?

It belongs to the category of expensive and capricious, so not every girl is able to decide on such a purchase. Modern trends dictate their own rules, offering summer and winter models made of natural nubuck. Recently, sports boots and elegant slippers have become the most popular. Using suede or nubuck for these kinds of everyday shoes may seem impractical, but there are rules for caring for capricious shoes that will help preserve the beauty of the material in its original form for many years.

In what weather can you wear nubuck shoes?

Expensive materials do not tolerate high humidity, so boots made of natural nubuck cannot be worn in damp and rainy weather. Despite the large number of models for everyday life, suede shoes remain a formal option that does not involve long walks and the possibility of exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Suede shoes and boots, nubuck boots are designed for indoor use as well as for dry outdoor roads. These conditions are considered the safest for preserving the beauty of the product.

How to clean nubuck

Natural nubuck is a noble material that requires careful and careful handling, care and constant attention. Boots and shoes made of nubuck can be damaged if neglected, so it is important to approach the care of the products thoughtfully.

When buying capricious shoes, you should take care of related products. You will need a brush for cleaning, nanospray for processing, matching nubuck paint for touching up, heating pads for drying.

Primary care for nubuck consists of high-quality surface treatment, drying and re-processing. The composition of the protective agent creates a barrier that prevents the penetration of moisture, dust particles and reagents. Preventive measures reliably protect shoes from possible problems and also slow down the contamination of the material. When it comes to suede shoes, it’s better to play it safe by spending on protective equipment than to spend money on restoring a damaged item or losing it altogether. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how to care for nubuck.

Caring for winter boots

In winter there is no dust, so caring for boots is simplified. It is enough to wipe the product with a flannel cloth and dry it away from heaters. If the shoes are significantly wet, you cannot immediately begin cleaning. It is necessary to stuff the boots with paper or newspapers and leave them to dry completely away from heat sources. You can use special liners for drying shoes.

Caring for summer nubuck shoes

Taking care of such shoes in the summer is much more difficult. Even a short stay on a dusty street takes away all the sophistication from a noble thing. To remove dust deposits, it is convenient to use a soft cloth or a special sponge brush. For best results, it is recommended to use a foam cleaner. Stains can be easily removed using a regular eraser, which also lifts the lint, refreshing the appearance of the product.

Caring for nubuck shoes: how to raise the pile?

During wear, shiny spots form on the velvet surface. To remove them, use a cotton pad soaked in ammonia. It is necessary to wipe off the dirt and lift the pile with a brush or sponge.

To update the appearance of the product, you should arrange a “hot bath”. You can restore the original appearance of the pile by holding the shoes over the steam of boiling water. Steamed fibers should be wiped with a flannel cloth. After such manipulations, the shoes are transformed before our eyes.

Artificial nubuck

What is this? The answer is simple - it is a synthetic material. In appearance it is quite difficult to distinguish it from natural one. It is famous for its wear resistance, but does not allow air to pass through. As a positive point, one can note its ability not to absorb moisture.

Nubuck-oil

The modern development of designers, which has high moisture-proof qualities, is called nubuck-oil (nubuck impregnated with oil). It is considered the most resistant to external environmental influences. Its water-repellent impregnation allows you to wear shoes even in wet weather without fear of ruining them. However, the material requires the same careful care as the classic version.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of nubuck: durability, pleasant appearance, breathability. Things made from it always look stylish and expensive and complement any outfit.

Disadvantages: delicacy. Afraid of wet weather, requires careful care. The purchase of related care products is required on a regular basis, which is not financially profitable.

For those in doubt: is it worth buying nubuck shoes?

Most often, girls refuse to purchase such shoes due to the difficulties of care. Having studied the methods of proper processing, following the rules of observing weather conditions, you don’t have to worry about the appearance of your favorite thing.

Shoes made from natural nubuck are an elegant and stylish element that will never lose its relevance. The presence of such shoes is an indicator of good taste.

Currently, the textile industry produces many materials that have similar qualities and differ little in appearance. This list includes nubuck and suede. It can be difficult for a simple consumer to determine at first glance what the difference is. This is often taken advantage of by unscrupulous sellers who pass off budget materials as their more expensive counterparts.

Suede and nubuck: what is it?

Suede is one of the most expensive types of polished leather. It is made from the skins of large animals. During the production process, these raw materials are processed by fat tanning; as a result, the fabric is thin and velvety, with a high and soft pile.

Leather of this type is hygienic and breathable, easily stretches, and does not lose its shape and attractive appearance for a long time. In addition, it does not cause allergic reactions.

The disadvantages of the material include low resistance to moisture - therefore it is better to wear such shoes or clothes only in dry weather. In addition, it is recommended to treat the surface with special water-repellent agents to protect the product and extend its service life.


Nubuck is also made from the skins of large horned animals. When making them, the chrome tanning method is used, and grinding is done using fine abrasive materials. Due to this processing method, the fibers are short, and the fabric does not stretch as well as suede. In addition, the surface of the material tends to quickly become greasy, especially if it is not properly cared for.

The porous surface of the nubuck fabric is breathable, allowing the skin to breathe. This material also does not like water and without the use of special impregnations it will quickly lose its presentation.

Nubuck is often passed off as suede and this economical product option is sold at a high price. To avoid becoming a victim of an “unscrupulous” seller, you should carefully study the product before purchasing. It is difficult to notice the differences only at first glance, but if you look more closely, they are not difficult to see.

9 main differences between materials

So, suede and nubuck: what is the difference between them? The differences are as follows.

1. Quality of raw materials. While suede is made from elk or deer leather, nubuck is made from cattle hides.
2. Preparation method. The preparation of raw materials for suede involves the fat method, and the processing of nubuck fabrics involves the chrome method.
3. Appearance. Despite the similarities, nubuck differs from suede in that its hairiness is much lower. In addition, the suede fabric is reversible, and the nubuck surface is velvety only on the front side.
4. Stretchability. While suede stretches well, nubuck is denser and has less elasticity.
5. Tactile sensations. Since suede fabrics are processed on both sides, they are softer and more delicate than nubuck fabrics.
6. Moisture resistant. Both materials do not tolerate contact with water well, but nubuck is still more sensitive to moisture.
7. Wear resistance. Suede products retain their attractive appearance longer than nubuck ones.
8. Care. Nubuck requires more careful handling and has a shorter service life.
9. Price. As mentioned above, suede is one of the most expensive types of polished leather, and nubuck products can be purchased at a lower price.

Many consumers ask the question which purchase is more profitable or which is better - suede or nubuck. For those who prefer high quality and are not limited in funds, it is better to buy suede clothes and shoes. Nubuck products are more suitable for people who purchase wardrobe items at an economical price. In terms of appearance, both materials can look luxurious and attractive.

Reading time: 4 minutes

Are you interested in a pair of leather boots, but can't decide between genuine leather, nubuck and suede? This may all seem a little confusing at first, but by the end of this article, you'll be a skin expert.

Leather, nubuck and suede: description

First of all, genuine leather, nubuck or suede are all types of leather. The difference between the two is actually very simple, depending on what part of the leather is used and how it has been treated. is a type of leather that has been treated and polished.

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather is a type that has not been sanded. For example, raw cowhide is high quality leather. It is made from that part of the leather that is almost free of defects, that is, without cuts, tears or holes of any kind. That's why it doesn't need to be sanded.

Full grain leather is a type of leather that has not been processed at all and bears the original markings of the animal from which it came. The characteristics of the skin vary greatly depending on the type of animal. This is one of the most natural leathers.

Unsanded is one of the most processed and most popular leather options. Its top layer is polished and processed. This group of skins includes the most common types. These leathers are treated to make them more uniform and eliminate any imperfections that may have been found on the animal's hide.

Nubuck

Historically, nubuck was made from deer or elk leather and was introduced to the American market in the early 1930s. This new skin type didn't have much success at first until the Duke of Windsor went on a royal visit to the United States. He wore Oxford shoes made of the new nubuck, and thanks to him the new style became popular.

To make nubuck, an outer layer of calfskin is used, then the leather must be sanded on the outside. In most cases, nubuck is more expensive than suede. This is because the outer layer of calfskin is tougher than the inner layer used for suede and is therefore stronger and will last longer. They fall into the aniline leather group, although they are not one. Aniline leather makes up the smallest percentage of leather in the world. It may differ in a lighter color. However, there is a downside to this because nubuck is sanded on the outside and may have some of the natural imperfections of the leather.

Suede

Unlike nubuck, the inner layer of calfskin (or other animal hides) is used to make suede. Suede is also buffed on the inside of the leather, resulting in a smoother, cleaner product than nubuck. But as mentioned above, this also means that, compared to nubuck, suede is not as durable.

Many people believe that suede is damaged when it gets wet. While it is not recommended to expose suede to too much water, suede shoes will not be ruined if they get wet. If possible, avoid wearing suede on rainy days, but if you do, don't worry, your boots will hold up just fine. Suede doesn't really require much maintenance, and treating your shoes with waterproof products and brushing them regularly with a soft-bristled brush to maintain the fluffiness will suffice.

What is the difference between nubuck and suede?

Nubuck is actually a type of suede, and both are typically made from leather such as calfskin, although they can also be made from sheep, cow, goat, or deer hide. At first glance, they look the same, but are actually created and processed differently, as noted earlier. Nubuck and suede differ from each other in that nubuck is created from the full-grain side of the hide, which is the outer part, while suede is created from the bottom part of the leather. Both of these leathers are created by sanding.

Because of this difference, there is a wide price range between nubuck and suede, with suede being the cheapest. Nubuck is made from the highest quality sanded leather used to make high quality leather products.

What is the difference between nubuck and suede:

• Nubuck has a velvety texture due to polishing, which creates a soft surface. Down are short protein fibers on the surface of the skin that help create a velvety surface.
• It is stronger and more durable, and more resistant to damage and wear than suede.
• It also has a genuine leather marking, giving it a rougher appearance than suede.
• Stronger and thicker than suede. It is usually more expensive than suede. For example, nubuck resists water damage because water simply darkens its surface temporarily and then dries without causing any long-term damage. Although its appearance is more similar to suede, nubuck has more similarities to aniline leather.
• Nubuck scratches easily. This is a vulnerable skin as it cannot use any type of protective coating.

Suede is much softer than nubuck because it is made from the inside of the leather, which is in contact with the flesh of the animal. It is sanded and polished to remove all impurities.

• Suede is more flexible than nubuck. It's much more subtle.
• Suede is a good material for lining shoes, but it is not as durable as nubuck.
• It can also be painted easily because it has a more porous surface and it is recommended to apply a protectant to the surface.

Leatherworkers must often apply dye or color to disguise the embossing and sanding techniques they use to finish nubuck leather, although sometimes the finished leather is white.

When caring for suede or nubuck, it is important to choose the right brush for each material. Since nubuck is a harder material than suede, if a nubuck brush is used on suede it will damage the down. On the other hand, a suede brush used on nubuck will be virtually ineffective.


Many people find that suede shoes are harder to maintain and more expensive than their shiny leather counterparts. This is far from the truth. Suede and nubuck actually require less maintenance. These boots don't need polishing and don't need to be polished at all, so say goodbye to weekly shoe polishing.