Which is better nubuck or suede

However, this will wear off over time and need replenishing. There are many products on the market that can be used to treat nubuck and suede and restore their water resistance. These types of treatment leave a flexible water-repellent coating on the nap of the nubuck. They help maintain the breathability of the material and keep your feet dry.

Some treatments also have UV protection to prevent your shoes and boots from fading. This will help to preserve the color of your nubuck or suede shoes as well as giving them water protection. Nubuck is tougher and sturdier than suede and can stand up better to the elements.

This is why it is used in sturdy work boots. Other than re-waterproofing occasionally, nubuck does not need much extra care. As suede is much thinner, this makes it more susceptible to marks than nubuck. It is not as durable, which is why this leather tends to be used for loafers, dress shoes and boots; those that are not intended for heavy duty use.

Suede will need to be brushed more regularly to preserve the soft nap. Waterproofing will also protect them from water damage and marks which easily occur. So which is better, nubuck or suede? They both have their benefits and are suitable for different uses. Nubuck will be best for work boots or shoes that you intend to put through their paces.

Suede will feel soft and luxurious, but will not withstand rough and tumble. This video from The Fitman discusses the differences between nubuck and suede, and shows some cleaning methods. Whichever you choose, the better the quality, the longer the product will last.

We hope we have cleared up any confusion and you enjoyed our insights. Do you have an opinion on nubuck versus suede? Work Boots. Sizing and Fitting. Shoe Care. About Us. Privacy Policy. Terms and Conditions. Affiliate Disclosure. Contact Us. Site Map. This is designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.

This allows us to earn an income to maintain our site and continue to provide value to our readers. Copyright of Boot Mood Foot Steve Thompson. The outside layer of the leather hide tends to be much thicker, sturdier, and durable. This means that nubucks tends to be slightly less soft to the touch but much more durable. The added durability and toughness makes nubuck perfect for footwear applications.

The inside layer of hide that is used to make suede leathers tends to be supple soft and thin. Suede is therefore considered to be a very luxurious product that is great for next-to-skin applications such as gloves and higher end footwear.

Despite their differences, suede and nubuck can be cared for with very similar methods. Suede tends to have longer nap fuzziness and is a bit softer which does mean that it is a more delicate material and should be cared for accordingly.

Boots : Opt for nubuck in winter, and pair with a fitted long coat. For other seasons, go for understated outfits to make your boots stand out. Dress Shoes : Dark brown or black brogues can be a styling option that go well with formal suits. No leather shoe is perfect — suede and nubuck both have their fine and weak points.

Suede gives a more refined look, while nubuck usually comes off as an all-weather, outdoor choice. You can opt to get both types of leather shoes so you can have more style possibilities to make a grand entrance anywhere. Tuesday is a content strategist who covers fashion, health and business.

She's a blogger who believes that the perfect pair of shoes can change the world - even if its just one step at a time. Each pair of Oliver Cabell sneakers is handcrafted by someone who truly lives and breathes the shoemaking process. Our sneakers are made using old-school shoemaking methods, which requires days to complete in our facility in Italy. Furthermore, we only use premium Italian calfskin leather and highly regarded Margom outsoles in our leather sneakers.

We believe in full transparency. This means that this style of leather does not develop that character you like to see in most leather products. Once the sanding is over, this material can look a bit like suede which confuses people when they look at both materials at the same time. Nubuck is just tougher and more durable so it lasts a lot longer and may develop scuffs and other marks. Those defects come from the rougher treatment it endures. The type of hide Nubuck is made from will determine its look.

It was made originally from buckskin or deer and elk hide but lately, it is made from calfskin which makes it a very soft material although very tough. One difference between the two fabrics is that Nubuck tends to be thicker than suede. This is an important difference as the thinner the material, the less durability and strength it will have. Also, Nubuck is less porous than suede meaning that it needs less maintenance.

That is a feature you can only experience and not see on the store shelves. Then Nubuck has a more velvet-like texture when you run your hand across it. Suede has a lighter texture and fees more like leather. But this is all open to debate as people will disagree on how Nubuck and suede feel.

Most of the time it is very hard to tell the difference between the two fabrics. While suede gets made into shoes, it is more likely found in gloves, jackets, and other accessories.

Nubuck is also made into different leather accessories but it is more often found in shoes. In this case most likely for durability and rough treatment, Nubuck is better than suede. This material can handle rougher treatment and take more knocks than suede can. But in the texture and looks department suede may come out on top as it is a soft material and while Nubuck can be soft it may not be as soft as suede. The look of suede also is an improvement over Nubuck and suede can be dyed so it is possible to change the color.

If you want a material that will last and does not the gentle care that suede does, then you would want to go with Nubuck as it is a little better than suede is.

If you are trying to make a fashion statement or just look good, then suede is better for that purpose. Your pocketbook may also have a say in determining which is better as cheaper is not always a bad thing. Generally, Nubuck is more expensive than suede. The reason for this is because the former material is taken from the outside of the hide and is a lot tougher than suede will ever be.

One has to keep in mind that softness does not always equate with weakness. Soft materials can be tough as well. It is just normally they are not as tough as harder materials. Harder materials can be very fragile, like glass or some plastics. But with that said, Nubuck can also be found at cheaper prices than suede. It will all depend on how the materials were manufactured, their quality as well as the sanding process, if it was good or not.

The key to finding good Nubuck clothing and accessories is to find out how they were made first.