The Truth About “Genuine Leather” – What It Really Means

A few years ago, we began receiving some questions about products labeled “Genuine Leather.” Customers wanted to know: Is it real? Is it high quality? One even left a harsh review after discovering his wallet was stamped with those words.

I was puzzled. Why was this suddenly an issue? Just weeks earlier, I had visited the Gucci boutique in Rome and noticed that their $5,000 handbags were also marked “Genuine Leather.” Clearly, the term couldn’t mean “fake” or “cheap.”

After digging into the issue, I discovered where the confusion comes from: many articles and brands online claim that “genuine leather” means low quality, or even equate it with bonded leather. That’s simply not true.

If you’ve ever shopped for a leather bag, wallet, belt, or jacket, chances are you’ve seen the “Genuine Leather” label. And while the internet might tell you it’s second-rate, the reality is more nuanced.

So, what does “genuine leather” actually mean? Let’s get to the bottom of it and clear up the confusion once and for all.

Is Genuine Leather Real Leather?

Yes — genuine leather means real leather. The term simply confirms that the product is made from animal hide rather than synthetic alternatives like PU leather or vinyl.

It’s not a grading system. It doesn’t automatically mean high quality or low quality. Genuine leather could be full-grain, top-grain, or split leather — the label only guarantees that the product is authentic leather.

Genuine Leather vs. Bonded Leather

One of the biggest misconceptions is that genuine leather equals bonded leather.  As someone that has traveled the world for over 20 years visiting tanneries and producing leather goods I can tell you that this is false.

Genuine leather: Always made from real animal hide.

Bonded leather: Made from leather scraps and fibers glued together with polyurethane or latex.

Bonded leather is more like a composite material and does not have the strength, durability, or longevity of genuine leather. If a product is bonded leather, it must be labeled as such — it cannot legally be called genuine leather.

Why Do People Think Genuine Leather Is “Bad”?

Here’s where the confusion comes in. Many mass-market brands use “genuine leather” as their go-to marketing term. Since the word “genuine” sounds positive, it reassures customers that the product is real leather.

Because “genuine leather” covers all types of real leather, some lower-quality products also get lumped under the label. Over time, shoppers started to assume that genuine leather must mean cheap or second-rate. In reality, the phrase is neutral — it just tells you the material is authentic leather, not how good it is.

What Types of Leather Could Be Labeled as Genuine Leather?

A product marked as genuine leather could be made of:

Full-grain leather – the highest-quality cut, strong and natural, develops a rich patina. At Floto we specialize in full grain leather and yes, some wallets are marked with the "Genuine Leather" authenticity.

Top-grain leather – slightly sanded for a smoother finish, durable and popular in fine goods.

Split leather – cut from the lower layers of the hide, more affordable but still real.

All of these are technically genuine leather. That’s why the label alone doesn’t tell the full story.

How to Judge Leather Quality Beyond the Label

If you want to know whether a genuine leather product is high quality, look for more details:

Grain type: Is it full-grain, top-grain, or split? Floto bags and wallets are made from full-grain leather. 

Tanning method: Vegetable-tanned leather ages beautifully, while chrome-tanned is softer and more color-stable. At Floto we specialize in vegetable tanned leather.

Craftsmanship: How well is the leather stitched, finished, and treated?

Look and feel: Real leather should have a rich texture, smell, and warmth that synthetics can’t match.  If you are concerned about a Floto wallet marked "genuine leather" you should order it so that you can touch and feel the real full grain leather in person.

These factors determine whether a genuine leather item is premium or average.

What it comes down to: “Genuine leather” means real leather. It doesn’t guarantee luxury, but it doesn’t mean “bad leather” either. A product labeled genuine leather could be the finest full-grain hide or a more basic split leather. Many of the super brands (think Prada and Gucci) mark there items with "Genuine Leather".