What Is Suede Leather? Real Suede vs. Faux Suede Explained
Suede is leather with a soft, napped surface made from the underside (flesh side) of an animal hide. It is softer and thinner than full-grain leather but less water-resistant and less durable. Faux suede is a synthetic imitation, usually a microfiber fabric with a brushed surface, that is easier to clean and cheaper.
Published 2026-10-08
Suede has a soft, velvety surface that is easy to recognize and just as easy to mark. People search for “suede leather” to understand what it actually is, how it differs from other leathers, and whether a faux version is a good substitute. This guide covers all three.
What Is Suede?
Suede is leather finished on the flesh side of the hide — the inner side that faced the animal’s body — rather than the outer grain side. That side is buffed to raise a short, soft nap, which gives suede its velvety feel. It is commonly made from lamb, goat, calf, or deer hide.
Because the tough outer grain layer is not used, suede is generally:
- Softer and more flexible than full-grain leather
- Thinner and lighter
- More absorbent, so it stains and water-marks easily
- Less abrasion-resistant than grain-side leather
Suede vs. Nubuck vs. Full-Grain Leather
| Suede | Nubuck | Full-grain leather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface used | Flesh (inner) side | Grain (outer) side, buffed | Grain (outer) side, intact |
| Feel | Soft, velvety | Fine, velvety | Smooth, natural grain |
| Durability | Lower | Higher than suede | Highest |
| Water resistance | Low | Low to moderate | Moderate to good |
Nubuck is often confused with suede because both have a nap, but nubuck is made from the stronger outer side of the hide, so it is more durable and usually costs more.
What Is Faux Suede?
Faux suede imitates the napped look and feel without using animal hide. It is typically built from fine polyester microfiber with a brushed or sanded surface, sometimes with a polyurethane backing or coating. Compared with real suede, faux suede is:
- Cheaper and more consistent in color and thickness
- Easier to clean and more resistant to light stains
- Available in a wider range of colors
- Free of animal-derived material
Microfiber suede-style materials are related to the structures covered in our microfiber leather guide. Note that names such as Ultrasuede and Alcantara are registered brands, not generic terms for faux suede; see our terminology guide for how to tell brand names from generic ones.
Where Suede and Faux Suede Are Used
- Footwear — casual shoes, boots, sneakers, trims
- Bags and accessories — handbags, wallets, linings
- Furniture and upholstery — sofas, chairs, headboards (faux suede is far more common here)
- Automotive interiors — headliners, seat inserts, trim panels, almost always as a synthetic microfiber material
For application-specific guidance, see our pages on footwear, bags, furniture, and automotive interiors.
How to Care for Suede
- Brush gently with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dust
- Use a suede eraser or a clean, dry cloth for small marks
- Apply a suede protector spray to improve stain resistance
- Keep it dry; if it gets wet, let it air-dry away from heat and brush the nap afterward
- Avoid oils, harsh cleaners, and soaking
Faux suede is generally easier: lightly brush the surface and spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, testing a hidden area first. See our guide on how to clean faux leather for general rules on synthetic materials.
Choosing Between Suede and Faux Suede
Choose real suede when natural material and a premium positioning matter and the product will be handled with care. Choose faux suede when consistency, cost, color range, cleanability, or an animal-free product are the priority — which is why it dominates volume uses like sofas, bags, and automotive trim.