What Is Bonded Leather & Why You Should Avoid It?

When you combine real and fake leather, the innovative product that comes into being is called bonded leather. Big companies manufacturing fashion leather jackets and bags often sell or throw away the leftover scraps that are later obtained by smaller companies. These scraps are grounded together and are provided with the fibrous sheet backing. The calculated mixture of genuine leather and polyurethane binder is what makes bonded leather. It is comparatively thinner and low in quality as compared to other types of leathers i.e. cowhide or sheepskin. As far as quality is concerned, there is no comparison between bonded and real leather.

Is Bonded Leather As Good As Real Leather?

Bonded leather is half real and half fake so the question that if it’s as good as the real one answers itself. Real leather comes from animal skin, goes through a tanning process, and treated with oils and waxes to make it more durable, smooth, and soft. Bonded leather, on the other hand, is a blend of real and fake leather. Fake leather is obtained from either plastic or natural elements such as apple trees or pineapple leaves. Bonded leather is much easier to handle as compared to animal skin but the quality of bonded leather is nowhere near the real leather.

Is Bonded Leather Durable?

Bonded leather, also known as blended or reconstructed leather hardly contains 25-30% real leather. Hence the quality of bonded leather can not be guaranteed. Any product that contains less than 20% real leather is considered to be faux that may last as many as 2-5 years if handled with care. This type of leather is not capable of handling sun, water, or dust exposure and even the tiny scratches can totally ruin the whole garment.

Does Bonded Leather Crack?

Unlike real leather, bonded is made out of non-elastic material and contains a very small amount of real leather. That means it has a tendency to lose its texture and crack. Bonded leather contains non-natural elements i.e. polyurethane which starts to rip off after a while of regular use. Exposure to water and heat can cause real damage to your bonded leather jacket.

How Long Does Bonded Leather Last?

Minimum of two or maximum of three years is the total lifespan of a bonded leather product. However, it also depends on the circumstances under which the leather good has been used. If you take good care of it, clean it regularly, hang it instead of folding it and keep it away from too much heat or water, your bonded leather jacket may actually last up to five years. Bonded leather furniture last comparatively for a shorter time period.

Overall, bonded leather is cheaper so those who are not looking for a lifetime companionship with their jacket can go for a bonded one. It contains 20-25% real leather.