Whether you're buying sneakers, flats, boots or heels, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is the material they're made from. Genuine leather and vegan leather can often look similar when they're new, but they perform very differently over time.
Over the past decade, synthetic alternatives have become increasingly popular, with terms like vegan leather, faux leather and plant leather appearing across everything from fast fashion to luxury collections. But what do these terms actually mean, and which material is most likely to stand the test of time?
What is the difference between leather and vegan leather?
Leather is a natural material made from animal hide. It develops character with wear, softens over time and, when properly cared for, can last for decades.
The term vegan leather covers a wide range of materials. Most products currently sold as vegan leather are made from synthetic materials such as polyurethane (PU) or PVC applied to a fabric backing. These materials can closely resemble leather in appearance but behave very differently as they age.
It's also worth remembering that not every synthetic shoe is automatically vegan. Depending on the manufacturer, adhesives, finishes and colourants may still contain animal-derived ingredients. If buying genuinely vegan footwear is important to you, it's always worth checking how the entire shoe has been made rather than relying solely on the material description.
Which material lasts longer?
High-quality leather has a clear advantage.
A well-made leather shoe can last for many years, often becoming more comfortable as it moulds naturally to your feet. With regular care, leather can be cleaned, conditioned and, in many cases, repaired, extending its lifespan even further.
Synthetic materials generally don't age in the same way. Over time, they're more likely to crack, peel or split, particularly around areas that flex repeatedly, such as the toe box and vamp. Once this happens, they're often difficult or impossible to restore.
If longevity is your priority, leather remains the most durable materials available for footwear.
Is leather more comfortable?
Leather is naturally breathable and gradually adapts to the shape of your foot, creating a more personalised fit the more it's worn. Synthetic materials don't offer the same level of comfort over time.
Of course, construction matters too. But when both leather and synthetic footwear are produced to a high standard, leather is widely regarded as the more comfortable material for long-term wear.
What about apple, mushroom and pineapple leather?
Alongside traditional leather, a growing number of bio-based alternatives have entered the market. Materials made using apples, grapes, mushrooms, cactus and pineapple fibres are increasingly being marketed as alternatives to leather.
It's important, however, to look beyond the headline.
Many of these materials aren't made entirely from plants. Instead, they often combine a relatively small proportion of natural fibres (in some cases, even as little as 15% is used) with a synthetic binder that provides strength, flexibility and durability. The exact composition varies significantly between manufacturers, which is why it's always worth looking beyond the product name and understanding what a material is actually made from.
These materials continue to evolve, but most still don't offer the longevity, repairability or durability of high-quality leather.
Does sustainability begin with quality?
Absolutely. The word sustainable simply means something that can be maintained or upheld at a certain rate or level over time. That starts with quality.
The material itself matters, but so does everything else. A premium leather won't reach its potential if it's paired with poor-quality components, inferior adhesives or weak construction. Likewise, even the most innovative material isn't a sustainable solution if the finished shoe needs replacing after a short period.
The most sustainable shoes are those made from exceptional materials, assembled by skilled craftspeople and designed to last. When a pair can be worn, cared for and enjoyed for many years, fewer replacements are needed and fewer resources are consumed over time.
Quality and longevity aren't separate from sustainability. They're the foundation of it.
Why does Farrago use leather?
At Farrago, every pair is handmade in Portugal using premium leather sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries. The Leather Working Group is widely recognised as Europe's leading certification programme for responsible leather production, assessing tanneries against rigorous standards covering traceability, water and energy use, chemical management and waste reduction.
We choose leather because, when responsibly sourced and crafted into a well-made shoe, we believe it's the finest material available for luxury footwear. It offers exceptional durability, develops character with wear, moulds naturally to the foot and can often be repaired rather than replaced.
Combined with timeless design and versatile styling, our goal is simple: to create fewer, better shoes that remain in your wardrobe for years, not seasons.