Suede shoes are a very stylish and chic component of the image of any person, both men and women, capable of adding individuality to their appearance. But very often suede is confused with related materials, such as nubuck or velor.
Material difference
Suede, nubuck and velor are all made from leather. The difference is in the origin of the source material and the method of its preparation.
For suede, they originally used high-mountain chamois leather and subjected its skin to a suede process using fish oil. Later they began to use the skins of domestic livestock such as sheep, goats or pigs. And they began to treat it with vegetable oil. Suede is distinguished by its softness, ductility and natural water-repellent properties, and has a velvety texture on both sides of the product.
Nubuck undergoes a rougher form of finishing. After tanning, the skin is sanded with sand or fine abrasive paper, known to everyone as sandpaper. They are also used to make shoes natural material, and artificial. At proper care, faux nubuck, unlike natural ones, exhibits a high wear resistance coefficient and, when processed with certain fats, has water-repellent properties.
Velor is a soft and fairly inexpensive material for the manufacture of which cattle leather with some external damage is used, which is why it is subjected to even rougher sanding than nubuck. Due to the tanning method used, velor does not tolerate contact with water.
External differences between suede and nubuck or velor
The main distinguishing feature of suede is its high, soft pile and the presence of some creases and minor technical damage, which do not affect the quality in any way. finished product from suede. Materials such as nubuck or velor, due to the rough sanding, have very low pile and have a smoother texture than suede. They have a rather presentable appearance, but do not stand out for their high wear resistance.
Also main distinctive feature suede shoe products is that they are an order of magnitude higher in cost than nubuck or velor. Since suede does not need special care and does not deteriorate even if it is “bought” in soapy water, while nubuck and velor need to be constantly taken care of, treated with water-repellent substances and maintained appearance using special cleaning sprays, paints and brushes.
Three types velvety skin easy to confuse with each other. How do they differ, which material is more expensive, which is not afraid of water, and which requires careful care? Let's understand the differences between suede, velor and nubuck.
Suede
The most expensive type of polished leather. It is created from the skins of deer, elk and small cattle using fat tanning. This type of skin is velvety on both sides. The pile is high and soft. Thanks to the fat treatment, suede is resistant to water; it can even be washed in warm water in case of heavy contamination.
The pores in the skin allow air to pass through and provide natural ventilation of the foot. The material stretches easily without losing its shape. Suede shoes tolerates temperature changes well and does not cause allergies.
Velours
A material obtained from the dense skins of small and large livestock and pigs. The leather is processed from the bakhtarma side (the underside of the skin) to look like velvet using special grinding. Velor is not as porous as suede, the pile is less soft, thick and low.
To obtain velor, chrome tanning is used, not fat tanning, so the material is susceptible to water. Without special water-repellent agents, it gets wet and loses its shape. Short pile improper care wears off and abrasions form.
Nubuck
A material obtained from the hides of cattle. As with velor, the leather is processed into velvet by sanding, but from the front side of the leather. Chrome tanning is used, not fat tanning, so use water-repellent sprays to protect nubuck from water. Without them, it gets wet and loses its presentable appearance.
The material contains pores and ensures proper thermoregulation of the shoes. The pile is low and velvety. If not properly cared for, it becomes greasy, shiny, and worn out.
Differences on the shelves:
- Raw materials
For suede - the most expensive materials; for nubuck and velor - high-quality, but more affordable.
- Water repellent properties
Suede does not absorb water well, velor and nubuck require the use of special water-repellent agents.
- Velvety
Suede - on both sides, velor - on one side (bakhtarma), nubuck - on one side (the front part of the leather).
- Pile height
Suede - high pile, nubuck and velor - low.
- Shoe care
Simpler for suede, more careful for velor and nubuck.
Currently, the textile industry produces many materials that have similar qualities and differ little in appearance. This list includes nubuck and suede. It can be difficult for a simple consumer to determine at first glance what the difference is. This is often taken advantage of by unscrupulous sellers who pass off budget materials as their more expensive counterparts.
Suede and nubuck: what is it?
Suede is one of the most expensive types of polished leather. It is made from the skins of large animals. During the production process, these raw materials are processed by fat tanning; as a result, the fabric is thin and velvety, with a high and soft pile.
Leather of this type is hygienic and allows air to pass through well, stretches easily, for a long time does not lose its shape and attractive appearance. In addition, it does not cause allergic reactions.
The disadvantages of the material include low resistance to moisture - therefore it is better to wear such shoes or clothes only in dry weather. In addition, it is recommended to treat the surface with special water-repellent agents to protect the product and extend its service life. 
Nubuck is also made from the skins of large horned animals. When making them, the method is used chrome tanning, and grinding is done using fine abrasive materials. Due to this processing method, the fibers are short, and the fabric does not stretch as well as suede. In addition, the surface of the material tends to quickly become greasy, especially if it is not properly cared for.
The porous surface of the nubuck fabric is breathable, allowing the skin to breathe. This material also does not like water and without the use of special impregnations it will quickly lose its presentation.
Nubuck is often passed off as suede and this economical product option is sold at a high price. To avoid becoming a victim of an “unscrupulous” seller, you should carefully study the product before purchasing. It is difficult to notice the differences only at first glance, but if you look more closely, they are not difficult to see.
9 main differences between materials
So, suede and nubuck: what is the difference between them? The differences are as follows.
- Quality of raw materials. While suede is made from elk or deer leather, nubuck is made from cattle hides.
- Preparation method. The preparation of raw materials for suede involves the fat method, and the processing of nubuck fabrics involves the chrome method.
- Appearance. Despite the similarities, nubuck differs from suede in that its hairiness is much lower. In addition, the suede fabric is reversible, and the nubuck surface is velvety only on the front side.
- Stretchability. While suede stretches well, nubuck is denser and has less elasticity.
- Tactile sensations. Since suede fabrics are processed on both sides, they are softer and more delicate than nubuck fabrics.
- Moisture resistant. Both materials do not tolerate contact with water well, but nubuck is still more sensitive to moisture.
- Wear resistance. Suede products last longer attractive appearance than nubuck.
- Care. Nubuck requires more careful handling and has a shorter service life.
- Price. As mentioned above, suede is one of the most expensive types of polished leather, and nubuck products can be purchased at a lower price.
Many consumers ask the question which purchase is more profitable or which is better - suede or nubuck. For those who prefer high quality and are not limited in funds, it is better to buy suede clothes and shoes. Nubuck products are more suitable for people who purchase wardrobe items at an economical price. In terms of appearance, both materials can look luxurious and attractive.
Others prefer a velvety pile surface. The material for its manufacture can be:
- suede leather,
- nubuck,
- velours.
Products made from them differ in both price and quality. But they are similar in appearance, so many people easily confuse these materials. Let's see how velor differs from suede?
What is suede
The most expensive of this group is suede, and the most valuable is made from deer skin. This material is also produced from elk and sheep skins. Suede is a layer of natural leather that has been tanned with fat. It has a soft velvety surface and is quite thin. The pile on this material is located on both sides.
The production of suede is complex - during the processing it is exposed to bone and fish oil, linseed oil and other oily substances, so now it is difficult to find natural suede on sale. But counterfeits of this natural material abound. It happens that sellers pass it off as one made of velor. Therefore, it would be useful to know how velor differs from suede.
Cheaper velor
If we consider how natural velor differs from natural suede in structure, then one side will definitely be smooth, and the other will be covered with thick short pile.
This material is often confused with suede because of the fibers, but it is made from lower quality raw materials and using simplified technology. Therefore, velor differs from suede in both price and service life.
Velor is produced from fatter cows and pigs; damaged raw materials are also used - this determines its cost.
Which shoes are better
What is the difference between velor and suede in shoes? Processing methods determine the degree of wear resistance of the material, its ability to get wet and absorb water. Here suede is the undisputed leader. Impregnated with all kinds of oils, it almost does not allow water to pass through, which cannot be said about velor.
It is advisable to be able to understand the differences and nuances of the components of such shoes, because suede will last much longer than velor. The latter differs from suede in external signs- if you take the shoes in your hands and run your finger over the pile, a trace of a different shade will remain on the suede (slightly darker or lighter than the main one).
This does not happen with velor; the entire area of the shoes will be one even color. But fingerprints easily remain on it, which never happens with suede. Velor is folded at the seams of shoes, but suede is never folded - this is the first sign that will catch your eye.
Of course, in slushy, rainy weather, all pile materials get wet, but with suede this only happens on the top; it will not let moisture into the shoe. When caring for such shoes, you can even wash them with a soap solution. Velor boots will get wet immediately, increasing the chances of catching a cold.
Velor shoes - evening option
What is the difference between suede and velor on boots? Due to its practicality, suede is suitable for the winter and autumn seasons. When it's cold outside, there is nothing warmer than the named material - it has excellent thermal insulation properties.
Although velor is less durable and wear-resistant, it looks quite expensive and is suitable for evening and festive shoes. Shoes made from this material can be matched with any outfit and for any occasion.
Suede boots will look rougher in such a situation, but shoes are quite appropriate and will emphasize the status of their owner.
Caring for pile shoes
Even if you know how velor differs from suede, information about caring for all pile materials will not be superfluous:
- Before putting on these shoes for the first time, apply a special impregnation to them that will help repel dirt and moisture. Do this three times, allowing it to dry before each subsequent application.
- It is necessary to use special rubber brushes for shoes made of suede, velor and nubuck.
- If such a brush is not at hand, you can use a regular office eraser or fine sandpaper (the so-called “zero”).
- In the future, if necessary, use the same care spray, after first removing dirt from the shoes with a damp sponge and drying them.
It is necessary to take care of your shoes, no matter what they are made of, then they will always please their owner and pass any face control.
Cosiness hearth and home largely determines the furniture. The mood of all household members depends on its quality and aesthetics. Remember how pleasant it is to touch the natural leather of some sofas and armchairs, how sometimes you want to sit on elegant chairs and how much joy just one glance at a designer coffee table or an original chest of drawers with a mirror can give.
Upholstery quality upholstered furniture– this is the key to its long service life and pleasant tactile sensations. Nubuck is a wonderful fabric for upholstered furniture, so that the sofas and armchairs in the room will attract with their velvety and sophistication. And its wear resistance and water-repellent properties allow us to speak of high-quality premium furniture made from it.
Material characteristics
Many “advisers” on the Internet confuse nubuck with suede, velor, genuine leather and even fabric. Let's conduct a short educational program on what nubuck is and how it differs from other materials, what types exist. Often people are looking for an answer to the question of whether it is leather or not.
There have long been several methods of tanning leather. This is done using fat, salt, extracts of certain types of trees (for example, oak), sand and other materials. The main difference between nubuck and suede is the material and tanning method. Suede is made from the skin of small cattle, and nubuck is used from large cattle (deer, elk, yaks). Tanning of suede is carried out using fat and fat-formaldehyde compounds. Nubuck is tanned with mineral salts, most often chrome.
Leather treated in this way is more pliable and wear-resistant. Shoes and furniture upholstery made of nubuck offer excellent resistance to stretching and impact loads.
But it must be remembered that natural suede and natural nubuck are capricious materials. They are demanding of external conditions and require constant care.
The main advantage of natural nubuck is the aesthetic and tactile pleasure from contact with it. Lying down on a sofa upholstered in natural nubuck is like touching something soft and tender! And shoes made from it look great in any situation and with any style.
Where is it used?
This material has two directions:
In footwear, natural oiled nubuck is more common, as it has water-repellent properties. A natural analogue is better suited for furniture production - it is more pleasant to the touch.
Kinds
There are three types: natural, artificial and nubuck-oil (aka oiled). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages and is used for specific needs of the furniture and footwear industry.
Natural
Cattle leather is tanned with salts mixed with chromium. Then her front side treated with fine abrasive materials - sand or sandpaper minimum fraction. The resulting material has a delicate surface with fine pile. It allows air to pass through perfectly. Its velvety texture has earned it popularity among Italian furniture makers, who use it to upholster their sofas, armchairs and beds.
The pleasant touch sensations and beautiful appearance of nubuck need to be protected and cherished.
Natural nubuck is not a wear-resistant upholstery material; it must be periodically treated with antiseptics and special solutions. It is more decorative than practical.
Artificial
This upholstery material represents a completely different direction. It is obtained by alternately spraying polymers on top of each other. The appearance and ease of use of this material depend on the diameter and length of the sprayed fibers.
Of course, artificial nubuck is cheaper than its natural counterpart. But it lasts much longer and can be used in wider ranges of temperatures and mechanical stress.
Since it does not absorb water, it can be used for kitchen chairs, corners and sofas. There will be much fewer problems with it than if it is covered with fabric or upholstered with genuine leather.
In the photo there is a sofa upholstered in nubuck:
The living room and dining room, the furniture in which is upholstered with an artificial analogue of nubuck, is practical and durable.