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If you make, sell, or buy shoes, it is important to know the truth about leather to take better decisions. Join us at IsItRealLeather. Help uphold truth, trust, and tradition in the leather and footwear world.
The Shoes Leather Industry plays a pivotal role in shaping global footwear trends and the economy behind them. At IsItRealLeather, our mission focuses on transparency and honesty in leather labeling, especially for footwear sold across the United States. Manufacturers must understand the legal, ethical, and environmental obligations that come with claiming a product as “leather.”
Footwear and leather go hand in hand. The global leather and footwear market is worth over $170 billion. That includes around 14 billion leather shoes made every year. Most come out of Asia, but the U.S. sets high standards for what sellers can claim.
As this industry expands, so does the need for clear, accurate labeling. Brands that tell the truth build loyal buyers. Those that don’t? They risk everything.
No fake material beats real leather. Leather shoes offer more than looks. They breathe. They shape to the wearer’s foot. They hold up over time. When you describe real leather shoes, mention the natural grain, the small imperfections, the texture, and the feel. These are signs of the real thing—the very qualities synthetic materials can’t fake.
Honesty respects the buyer. It shows your brand has integrity. Fake leather often uses harmful materials like PVC, which pollute our environment. When a company knows this and still uses misleading terms, they’re not helping anyone. Real ethics mean calling leather what it is—only when it truly is.
If you make or sell shoes in the U.S., you must follow labeling rules. That’s not just advice—it’s federal law. Mislabeling leather can bring penalties, lawsuits, and forced recalls. Describe your product correctly. Know what counts as leather. Stay compliant and protect your business.
Today’s buyer wants truth. Real leather isn’t smooth and perfect. It has a grain that varies. It absorbs moisture. It feels soft, never plasticky. When you can explain that to your customer, you build trust. That trust drives sales.
Shoes made from real leather last longer, wear better, and feel right. Synthetic shoes might look good on day one, but they often crack, trap heat, and fall apart faster. If you’re proud of your work, tell people what you use. If it’s real leather, say so. If it’s not, say that, too.
There’s no upside to confusing your customers. When you label products truthfully, you build confidence. If your shoes use leather, great—say it. If they don’t, leave the word out. It’s honest. It’s legal. And it keeps your buyers coming back.
Our platform exists to support compliance, ethics, and excellence in the leather shoes industry. We believe in a marketplace where buyers trust labels, and manufacturers stand by their products. Together, we can build an informed community that upholds the legacy and value of real leather in footwear.
If you make, sell, or buy shoes, it is important to know the truth about leather to take better decisions. Join us at IsItRealLeather. Help uphold truth, trust, and tradition in the leather and footwear world.
IsItRealLeather began with one goal: to defend and promote authentic leather in a world full of cheap substitutes. We’re not a brand or manufacturer—we are a community-driven resource backed by writers, leather crafters, and passionate consumers from around the world.
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