When choosing leather jackets, sofas, shoes and bags, do you feel confused in the face of the wide variety of artificial leather? They look similar, but their prices and feel are quite different. Today, we will delve into four mainstream materials: PVC, PU, veneered microfiber, and suede microfiber, to help you make a wise choice.

PVC artificial leather: A classic and practical choice

PVC is an early artificial leather material, characterized by durability, water resistance and low cost. It usually has a multi-layer structure, with a PVC coating on the surface and possibly a foamed layer in the middle to enhance softness. However, PVC has poor air permeability and a relatively hard feel. After long-term use, it may crack or the coating may peel off. It is suitable for scenarios that have high requirements for durability and water resistance but not for touch feel, such as outdoor equipment and low-end luggage.

PU artificial Leather: The choice for flexibility and balance

PU is closer to genuine leather in terms of touch and appearance than PVC, with a softer hand feel and better toughness. It also has a multi-layer structure, but its surface is coated with polyurethane, which makes it have better wear resistance and low-temperature resistance. Although the breathability of PU is better than that of PVC, it is still limited. It is currently the most widely used artificial leather, commonly found in furniture, shoes and fashionable handbags, achieving a good balance between price and performance.

Veneer microfiber: A high-end and durable choice

Veneer microfiber is the "top student" among artificial leather. It uses microfiber non-woven fabric as the base fabric and imitates the reticular structure of genuine leather, thus being extremely strong, tough and durable. Through the "dry veneering" process, a layer of PU skin with exquisite texture is applied to it. This makes it look high-end, have realistic textures, be easy to clean, and have excellent physical properties. Its drawback is that the dense coating on the surface affects some of the breathability. It is commonly found in high-end car interiors, high-quality furniture and sports shoes, and is an ideal choice for those who pursue both appearance and durability.

Suede microfiber: The choice for texture and comfort

Suede microfiber also uses microfiber as the base fabric, but its surface has undergone precise sanding treatment, forming a fine and soft layer of fluff. This endows it with excellent breathability, a warm and skin-friendly touch, and a unique matte appearance, which is very close to natural suede. Its biggest weakness is that it is relatively difficult to maintain and tends to accumulate dust easily. It is widely used in sports shoes, clothing and high-end bags that pursue comfort and trendiness.

Summary: How to choose?

For cost-effectiveness and waterproofing: Choose PVC.

To balance performance and feel: Choose PU.

Value ultimate durability and high-end appearance: Choose veneer Super fiber.

Prefer comfort, breathability and unique texture: Choose suede super-fine fiber.

We hope this guide can help you understand the mysteries of different materials and find the one that best meets your needs.