[Caution] Things you should definitely check before buying genuine leather products online

Hello, I'm Nakajima, the designer of HushTug.

Recently, there are more and more opportunities to purchase bags and daily necessities online.

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought , "This looks good!" , then bought something, only to find when it arrived that it was "not what I expected..." ?

Leather products in particular have many elements that are difficult to convey in photographs, such as texture and luster, and are one of the items that tend to have a gap between the actual product and the actual appearance.

So, this time we will introduce some points you should definitely check when buying genuine leather products online .

It's genuine leather, but it's "a little different"...? It might actually be "cow split leather."

When you see the words "genuine leather" or "cowhide" written on it, you tend to feel safe and buy it.

However, if the material name on the product page says "cowhide leather," you should be a little careful.

Actually, this is cowhide, but it is a different material from the "high quality" genuine leather that people generally imagine.

What is "cow split leather"? -Leather made from recycled parts that would otherwise be discarded

During the processing of leather, a process called " suki " is carried out.

This is the process of adjusting the thickness by slicing the leather thinly.

At this time, the parts with the beautiful "grain" surface are used as so-called high-quality genuine leather.

On the other hand, the "underside layer" that is left over after slicing is called "split leather," and when this is finished with paint or other means to give it a grain-like appearance, it becomes "cow split leather."

What is "cow split leather"? Is it different from genuine leather?

"Cowhide split leather" is leather made from the underside (floor) of cowhide, which is produced when the leather is processed.

Unlike genuine leather (grain side), split leather has coarse fibers and is less durable , so it is available at a low price.

Characteristics of cowhide

• Low price → It costs less than regular genuine leather, so it is used in cheaper products.

• Low durability → The fibers are coarse and lack flexibility, so it deteriorates more easily than genuine leather.

• Highly absorbent → Absorbs water easily and stains easily.

• Painted → The surface is painted to resemble genuine leather, but the texture is different.

Even if it says "genuine leather," if it says "cow split leather," be careful because it is not genuine leather.

Things to be aware of when buying genuine leather online

Be sure to check the "material name" of the product

When purchasing genuine leather products, be sure to check the "material name" on the product page.

	meaning	Points to note
Genuine leather (cowhide)	Natural Leather	No problem
cowhide leather	Genuine leather flooring	Less durable and different texture
Synthetic leather (PU leather, fake leather)	Artificially produced materials	Deterioration is rapid

Don't judge by photos alone

Product photos are important when shopping online, but it is dangerous to judge a product based on an image alone.

Due to lighting and editing effects, colors and textures may appear different from the actual product.

Check reviews and testimonials

By reading reviews from people who have actually purchased the product, you can get information that you can't get from a photo.

If you see reviews saying things like "It was harder than I expected" or "It felt cheap," you should be careful.

Buy from trusted brands and stores

It is best to buy genuine leather products from trusted brands and stores.

For example, all HushTug products are made with genuine leather (grain side) , so you can make a purchase with confidence.

Visit the official HushTug website here

How to tell if a product is genuine leather

Before purchasing online, check the following points to help you determine whether the product is genuine leather or not.

Check the smell (after purchasing online)

Genuine leather has a unique leather scent, but synthetic leather and split leather often have a chemical smell.

Check the surface texture

Genuine leather has natural wrinkles and pores, while synthetic leather and split leather have a uniform, artificial texture.

Check the back

The underside of genuine leather is like suede, but split leather often has a rough, fibrous texture.

Testing water absorption (after purchasing online)

Genuine leather will absorb a small amount of water, while synthetic leather will repel water. However, some items may have been treated to be waterproof, so it is not always the case.

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Once you have purchased a genuine leather product, you can enjoy it for a long time with proper maintenance .

*Click on the image to go to the article.

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summary

When purchasing genuine leather products online, be sure to check the name of the material and be careful of labels such as "cow split leather."

Summary of points

Understand the difference between genuine and synthetic leather
✅ Know that "cow split leather" is less durable than genuine leather.
✅ When shopping online, be sure to check the material label
✅ Don't judge a product based on its photo alone, check the reviews
✅ Buy from a brand you can trust

At HushTug, all products are made from genuine leather (grain side) , so you can shop with confidence.

If you are considering purchasing a genuine leather product, please refer to this article!

Visit the official HushTug website here

▼Related videos here▼

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In addition to their online store, HushTug also operates physical stores .

You can actually see the products that are listed online.

You can also purchase new items on the spot, so please feel free to stop by.

*Payment is cashless only. Please note that cash payments are not accepted.

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