Nubuck vs Suede Leather – What’s the Difference?

The most popular uses for suede and nubuck leather, which are softer and "fuzzier" than conventional smooth leathers, are in footwear and accessory products. Both suede and nubuck leathers are created by sanding leather hides to remove the outermost layer of substance, giving them their characteristic fuzzy nap.

The two materials do differ significantly in one important way, though. Sanding or scraping the inner layer of the leather skin produces suede. Nubuck is made from the sanded exterior layer of the leather hide.

The leather hide's outer layer is typically significantly thicker, stronger, and more resilient. As a result, nubucks are usually more durable but a little less soft. Nubuck is ideal for applications such as footwear because of its increased hardness and longevity.

The inner layer of the hide that is used to create suede leathers typically has a supple, delicate feel. As a result, a pair of suede black leather shoes is regarded as a very luxurious material that works well for next-to-skin applications like gloves and more expensive footwear.

Benefits of nubuck and suede

Now that you are aware of the distinctions between suede and nubuck, let's examine each material's main benefits in more detail.

Nubuck

• The proteins are damaged during the splitting process, resulting in a porous substance that is more breathable than other types of leather. This is why it's ideal for making leather shoes for women.

• Nubuck has a velvety feel akin to suede, but the knap is more noticeable, giving it a semi-rugged appearance.

• The strongest area of the hide is where nubuck is produced. It is better ideal for frequently used products, such as nubuck shoes, because it is thicker and more sturdy. Unlike suede, it will also regain its natural color after drying.

Suede

• Suede has a smooth, supple, and velvety surface, which contributes significantly to its reputation as a luxurious material for black leather shoes.

• Suede has certain flexibility because of its frequently thin, lightweight structure, which enables leather craftsmen to make a variety of accessories.

• Due to the fact that suede is made from a lower quality hide than nubuck, it is typically less expensive.

• Suede can be effectively protected by using water- and stain-repellent sprays.

How to Style Nubuck and Suede Shoes

According to the design of the shoes, you can dress up or down your suede or nubuck.

• Loafers: In the summer, you can pair tailored shorts with suede black leather shoes and go sockless.

• Sneakers: To improve your casual look, pair suede and nubuck with slim-fit chinos and cuffed denim.

• Boots: In the winter, choose nubuck black leather shoes and wear them with a tailored long coat. Choose simple attire throughout other seasons to let your Black leather shoes pop.

• Dress Shoes: Brogues are a footwear option that complements formal attire. They come in dark brown or Black leather shoes.

Concluding remarks

Suède and nubuck both have their strong and weak qualities, proving that no leather shoes for women are flawless. Based on what you want, shoes made of suede or nubuck can be a better option for you. Nubuck typically gives off an all-weather, outdoor appearance, whereas suede gives off a more sophisticated appearance.

You might choose to get both types of black leather shoes to have additional styling options and create a statement wherever you go. Explore the collection of suede and nubuck leather shoes by Barker.