Nubuck is one of the varieties of leather that has been successfully used for many years in the production of light industry, for example, shoes, outerwear, accessories, furniture. There are natural and artificial nubuck. Visually, they have strong similarities, but the information below will allow you to gain a little experience of how to distinguish natural nubuck from artificial nubuck.
What is a natural nubuck for shoes?
Natural nubuck - a material of animal origin, usually the skin of cattle. Due to the complex and careful processing it has a fine pile, due to which the skin looks good and velvety. Natural nubuck requires you to systematically and properly care with special means. If you carefully fulfill these requirements, then your favorite shoes from the nubuck will last long enough and at the same time, will have an impeccable look. If you analyze the pricing policy of the material, then the cost of the product from a natural nubuck is much higher than the synthetic one.
There is also nubuk-oil - it's also a natural nubuck, the surface of which is processed by fatty impurities, which later helps to repel moisture well. Care of the material is very simple.
How to distinguish a natural nubuck from a fake?
Nubuck is a natural material. It perfectly ventilates the air and absorbs moisture well. Even if you deliberately soak it with water for testing, the effect of water will immediately appear, the natural leather of the nubuck instantly absorbs it and noticeably darkens.
How to distinguish an artificial nubuck from natural?
An artificial or synthetic nubuck is an artificial leather consisting of a multilayered polymer material. Its structure has a velvety surface.
If you have planned a purchase of a leather product, when buying, pay attention to the packaging label of leather, the material of which is identical to the material of the purchased product. If a natural material was used in its production - the label is presented in the form of an image of the animal's skin, and if the product is made of artificial leather - the label has the shape of a diamond.
If you translate into other languages the phrase "natural leather", we will get useful information for product analysis:
- In English - genuine leather;
- In German - echtleder;
- In Italian - vera pelle;
- In French - cuir.