You may be an animal lover that’s why you are looking for this information. I too love animals and for this reason, I do not list any real leather bags in my blog posts.
Talking about vegan leather bags, there are a lot of things that you need to know. Like, vegan leather is classified into different categories which I will tell you in this article.
Moreover, I will answer some other questions as well, like,
“What are vegan leather bags made of?“
“Are vegan leather bags durable?“
“Are faux leather bags good?“
Quick Navigation
- What Is A Vegan Leather?
- Are Vegan Leather Bags Durable?
- Benefits Of Vegan Leather Bags
- Disadvantages
- Cleaning Guide
- Preventions For Better Durability
- Verdict
- FAQs
What Is A Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is also called faux leather, doesn’t consist of any animal skin in its composition. It is classified into two main categories based on the manufacturing materials.
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(I) 100% Pure Vegan Leather
This leather is composed of natural materials like the fibers and leaves of pineapple, mushroom, cactus, and other plants. It is completely biodegradable which makes it an eco-friendly product. It doesn’t release any harmful toxins and doesn’t smell unpleasant which is also a good thing. But, it lacks toughness and the capability to bear heavy weight.
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(II) Synthetic Leather
This type of vegan leather is produced with the use of plastic-based polymers like polyurethane (PU), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Based on these polymers, this category is further divided into two groups which are,
(a) Polyurethane Leather
PU leather is also known as pleather, made up of a thermoplastic polymer polyurethane. It is completely made up of chemicals only thus called vegan leather.
NOTE: Some brands use animal skin residues to make their PU leather more sturdy. Please read the details of the products carefully before buying them.
(b) Polyvinyl Chloride Leather
PVC leather is also known as vinyl leather, made up of versatile plastic polymer PVC. It comes with multi-layers that make it more strong and pliable as compared to polyurethane leather.
Are Vegan Leather Bags Durable?
If you want to know whether your faux leather bag is durable or not, you must know its material. You can check which type of vegan leather is used to manufacture your bag in its description or on the tag.
And, if you already knew the exact material then check the table given below.
Comparison Table (PU vs PVC)
You might be thinking why I didn’t add details of 100% pure vegan leather bags. The reason is they are rarely found and cannot hold heavyweight inside them. Thus, many people do not prefer to buy these bags.
As you have gone through the comparison table, I don’t need to mention that PVC bags are more durable than PU due to their multiple-layer structure. But it doesn’t mean that PU bags are not durable enough; popular brands use well-processed PU leather to manufacture quality bags.
So, the answer is YES, high-grade faux leather bags are good as well as durable.
Are Faux Leather Bags Any Good? (Personal Experience)
As I have already told you that I am an animal lover so I buy vegan leather bags only. And, I have experienced that they last longer than we think. I am personally using four faux leather bags right now that you can see below.
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This one with the semi-frayed strap was bought four years ago and still doing well. Besides the strap, you can see there is very small skin damage at the corner of the flap. These minor issues can take place after some years and can be resolved.
Two of them were bought two years ago and are in perfect condition. Sorry, I blur the brand name on the bag because this article is informational, not promotional.
I just get this bag as my birthday gift from my friend, Olivia. And, I am sure that this bag will last long too. How? Well, if you want your vegan leather bag to run longer, then you need to read the cleaning guide and preventions given below.
How To Pick A Durable Vegan Leather Bag?
- Bags with less sheen appear very similar to real leather. Don’t buy shiny faux leather bags.
- Buy a bag that has tightly bonded vegan leather layers. And, avoid bags with loose outer layers.
- Check whether the stitching is strong enough or not.
- Only go for grain-structured faux leather instead of a plain surface.
- The bag must have a thick base and walls.
- Besides synthetic leather, a bag should also consist of other fabrics like cotton, polyester, or nylon.
Benefits Of Vegan Leather Bags
- You will not get bored of using a single product (genuine leather) for a very long time.
- No animal skin; good for animal lovers.
- Can be bought on a low budget.
- Gives a similar look and texture to genuine leather.
- Come in various styles and colors.
Disadvantages
- Low-quality vegan leather bags release toxins.
- Poor quality bags can smell unpleasant.
- Faux leather bags are non-biodegradable.
Cleaning Guide
Washing is not recommended for vegan leather bags, instead, use a dry cloth or damp cloth to clean it. In case, you want to wash it to get rid of the plastic smell then soak it in water with mild detergent for a few minutes only. Later, use a soft dry cloth to wipe the bag and then air-dry it.
Preventions For Better Durability
- Don’t wash the bag in the machine.
- While washing, rubbing is not suitable for the bag.
- Don’t use hard detergent.
- Use soft cloth only.
- Don’t dry it in the machine.
- Keep your bag away from fire, blowers & heaters.
- Keep your bag away from acids & chemicals.
Verdict
If you buy a high-grade vegan leather bag then no doubt, it will run long. I would suggest you, buy a PVC leather bag over Polyurethane for better durability and experience. And, if you want to buy a bag other than leather then check out the handmade backpacks for women post on this blog.
FAQs
Are Faux Leather Bags Durable?
High-grade faux leather bags come with great durability and deliver a similar texture as genuine leather.
Are Vegan Leather Bags More Durable Than Real Leather?
No, vegan leather bags cannot be as durable as real leather bags. But it doesn’t mean that faux has low durability.
What Are Vegan Leather Bags made of?
Vegan leather bags are either made up of fibers and leaves of plants or from plastic-based materials like PU & PVC.
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