What it is
Thick hides are split into layers. The layers below the top grain are called split leather. Suede is leather, often from a split or from the flesh side, brushed to a soft nap.
How it behaves
Suede is soft and light but marks and stains easily and is not as strong as top layers. Coated splits are cheaper and more uniform but less durable than grain leathers.
Common uses
- Jackets, gloves and linings in suede
- Bag interiors and structural parts
- Trims and accents
- MOQ 50 per styleTest the market with a small first run.
- Sample before bulkPay for the sample and approve it first.
- See it before it shipsQC photos and video of your order.
- Denim and leatherOne partner, one brief, one quote.
About Split Leather and Suede
Split leather comes from the lower layer of the hide, left after the top grain is separated. Suede is a type of leather with a brushed, napped surface, and it can be made from splits or from the grain side of lighter skins.
They are common, practical materials with a soft look, but they behave differently from grain leather, and it is worth knowing how.
How it looks and feels
Suede feels soft and velvety, with a nap that changes shade when brushed. Split leather, without the tight grain layer, is less strong and less water resistant than grain leather, so it is often finished or coated for use.
Some split leather is embossed or coated to imitate grain leather. This is a legitimate product, but it should be described honestly and not sold as full grain.
Care and ageing
Suede marks easily with water, oils and dye transfer. It needs a brush and, if wanted, a protective treatment. It will not take a hard working life as well as full grain.
It suits fashion jackets, soft accessories, linings and casual footwear. For hard wearing or wet use cases, grain leather is the better pick. Be clear with your customers on care.
- Soft and attractive, but more vulnerable to stains
- Describe coated splits honestly
Products it suits
- Suede jackets
- Footwear linings and uppers
- Work gloves and aprons
- Bag interiors
- Casual accessories
Tell us in your enquiry
- Suede or split, and whether coated
- Hide type
- Nap direction and colour
- Thickness
- Care label wording
Questions buyers ask
Is suede real leather?
Yes, suede is a genuine leather with a napped surface.
Can suede be waterproofed?
Protective sprays can help, but we make no waterproofing claims. Test before relying on them.
Is split leather lower quality?
It is a different, more economical material with lower strength. It is appropriate for the right uses.
Planning a range in Split Leather and Suede?
Send a sketch, tech pack or reference sample and tell us the quantity. Availability and specification are confirmed at quotation, and you approve the sample before bulk.
Free to request, no obligation. MOQ 50 pieces per style, and you approve the sample before any bulk run.