What Is Suede? Suede vs Nubuck vs Leather Explained

Suede is the soft, fuzzy leather you can spot by touch alone — but there's a lot of confusion around what it actually is, whether it counts as "real" leather, and how it differs from nubuck and the smooth leather most jackets are made from. Here's a clear breakdown of all three, so you know exactly what you're looking at and which one suits you.

Quick Answer

Suede is real leather made from the soft underside (the flesh side) of an animal hide, buffed to raise a fuzzy, matte nap. Nubuck is made from the outer surface of the hide, lightly sanded for a finer, tighter nap — so it's a bit tougher and more refined than suede. Smooth leather keeps the outer grain intact and sealed, making it the most durable and weather-resistant of the three. In short: suede is softest and most casual, nubuck sits in the middle, and smooth leather is the most hard-wearing. All are genuine leather.

1. What Is Suede?
2. Suede vs Nubuck vs Smooth Leather
3. Is Suede Real Leather?
4. The Pros and Cons of Suede
5. How to Spot Quality Suede
6. Caring for Suede
7. Is Suede Right for You?

What Is Suede?

Suede comes from the same hides as any leather — the difference is which layer is used and how it's finished. When a hide is split, the tough outer grain becomes smooth leather, and the softer inner layer is turned into suede.

That underside is buffed to raise a fine, fuzzy surface called the nap. The result is the soft, matte, slightly velvety texture suede is known for. It's typically thinner and more pliable than smooth leather, which is what gives it that relaxed, casual character.

If you're new to how leather is made in the first place, our leather 101 guide covers the fundamentals that all of this builds on.

Suede vs Nubuck vs Smooth Leather

These three are the main surfaces you'll encounter. Here's how they stack up:

Feature	Suede	Nubuck	Smooth Leather
Made from	Underside of the hide	Outer surface, lightly sanded	Outer grain, kept intact
Surface	Soft, fuzzy nap	Fine, short nap	Smooth, no nap
Feel	Softest, velvety	Soft but firmer	Sleek, supple to firm
Durability	Lowest — more delicate	Moderate	Highest
Water resistance	Lowest	Low	Higher
Look	Casual, matte, textured	Refined matte	Classic, can dress up
Best for	Casual style, dry weather	Premium casual, tougher use	Everyday to dressy, all-round

The short takeaway: nubuck is often mistaken for suede, but because it's made from the tougher outer surface, it's a little more hard-wearing while keeping a similar soft look.

Is Suede Real Leather?

Yes — this is the most common question, and the answer is a clear yes. Suede is genuine leather; it's simply finished differently, using the softer inner layer of the hide rather than the outer grain.

Where confusion creeps in is with faux suede (also called microsuede or suedette), a synthetic fabric made to mimic the look and feel of real suede. It's not leather at all. Faux suede can be cheaper and more water-resistant, but it lacks the natural feel and breathability of the real thing. If you want to be sure which you're buying, our guide on real suede vs faux suede lays out the differences.

The Pros and Cons of Suede

Suede is a trade-off — you gain a look and feel nothing else quite matches, in exchange for a little extra care. Weigh it up:

Pros: soft, warm texture; a relaxed, characterful look; lightweight and comfortable; naturally breathable.
Cons: more delicate than smooth leather; stains and marks easily; poor in rain and snow; needs specific care products.

None of that makes suede a bad choice — it just makes it a fair-weather, style-first material rather than a rugged everyday workhorse. Know that going in and it rarely disappoints.

How to Spot Quality Suede

You can judge a lot about suede by look and touch:

Nap: quality suede has an even, consistent nap that shifts color slightly as you brush it in different directions.
Feel: it should feel soft and supple, not stiff, thin, or papery.
Consistency: the texture should be uniform, without bald patches or overly uneven areas.
Real vs faux: genuine suede has natural variation and a slightly irregular surface; faux suede looks uniform and can feel more like fabric.

These are the same instincts you'd use to judge any hide — our guide on how to identify a genuine leather jacket covers the wider checks that apply here too.

Caring for Suede

Suede's one real demand is careful upkeep, because it can't be treated like smooth leather. The essentials:

Brush it regularly with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dust.
Protect it with a suede-specific protector spray to guard against stains and light moisture.
Never use creams, oils, or standard leather conditioners — they flatten the nap and cause dark stains.
Keep it dry and store it somewhere cool and ventilated, away from direct heat.

It sounds like a lot, but in practice it's a quick, occasional routine. Our full guide on cleaning a suede jacket without ruining it walks through each step.

Is Suede Right for You?

Match the surface to how and where you'll wear it:

Choose suede if: you love its soft texture and relaxed look, mostly wear it in dry conditions, and don't mind gentle upkeep.
Consider nubuck if: you want a similar soft look with a bit more durability.
Choose smooth leather if: you want the most hard-wearing, weather-resistant, and easy-care option for everyday use.

Suede shines as a style piece rather than a daily-driver workhorse — perfect for a warm, textured jacket you reach for on dry days. If that's the look you're after, browse our men's suede jackets to see the styles available.

Explore the Suede Look

Now that you know what suede is and how it compares, choosing one is far easier. If its soft texture and casual character appeal to you, browse our women's suede jackets and the men's range, and pick a piece you'll wear on dry days and care for kindly — suede rewards a little attention with a look nothing else matches.

Final Thoughts

Suede, nubuck, and smooth leather all start from the same hide but end up worlds apart. Suede is the soft, fuzzy underside — real leather, but the most delicate and casual of the three. Nubuck offers a similar feel with more toughness, and smooth leather is the durable all-rounder. Suede isn't the material for hard use or wet weather, but for soft texture and relaxed style on a dry day, nothing quite compares. Know its strengths, treat it right, and it earns its place in your wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is suede?

Suede is real leather made from the soft underside of an animal hide, which is buffed to raise a fine, fuzzy surface called a nap. This gives it a soft, matte, velvety texture. It's usually thinner and more pliable than smooth leather, which is what gives it its relaxed, casual character.

Is suede real leather?

Yes. Suede is genuine leather; it's simply made from the softer inner layer of the hide rather than the tough outer grain, and finished with a napped surface. Faux suede, or microsuede, is a synthetic fabric made to imitate suede and is not real leather.

What is the difference between suede and nubuck?

Suede is made from the underside of the hide and has a soft, fuzzy nap, while nubuck is made from the tougher outer surface, lightly sanded to a fine, short nap. As a result, nubuck is a little more durable and refined than suede, though they look and feel similar.

Is suede more durable than regular leather?

No. Smooth, full-grain leather is more durable and weather-resistant than suede, because it keeps the tough outer grain intact. Suede is made from the softer inner layer, so it is thinner, more delicate, and marks and stains more easily.

Is suede waterproof or good in the rain?

No. Suede is the least water-resistant leather surface, and rain or snow can stain it and stiffen the nap. It suits dry conditions best, and a suede-specific protector spray helps guard against light moisture, but it should not be worn in heavy rain.

How do you take care of a suede jacket?

Brush it regularly with a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dust, apply a suede protector spray for stain and light moisture resistance, and keep it dry and stored in a cool, ventilated spot. Never use creams, oils, or standard leather conditioners, as they flatten the nap and cause dark stains.