Suede Leather As A Basic Type Of Shoe Material

Suede leather, also known as suede fabric, never loses its relevance. They are fashionable at any time, compatible with all kinds of clothing, always stylish, and comfortable. Of course, some people sometimes avoid wearing shoes made from suede fabric, assuming they will not last long. However, with proper care, such footwear can be worn for many years while maintaining an excellent appearance.

In this publication, we will tell you everything about suede shoes - the history of their creation and spread, the differences and nuances of various suede fabrics, the ways of caring for them, the use of suede in the production of footwear, and many other interesting facts.

What Is Suede?

Before moving on to our main topics, let us start with the fundamental question: what is natural suede leather and how is it made? Natural suede is obtained from the hides of animals, mainly deer, goat, calf, or pig. First, the leather is treated with special chemicals so that it does not spoil or decay. Then, it is split, removing the top layer, since suede is created from the lower inner layer. The inner side of the hide is polished with special machines and technologies, as a result of which the leather acquires the uniform and velvety surface characteristic of suede. Finally, suede is oiled or coated with protective materials for higher quality.

By its texture and form, suede material is soft, velvet-like, with short and light fibers that feel very delicate to the touch and change shade depending on the direction of rubbing. Suede is a flexible material, easy to work with thanks to its softness.

Since natural suede is made from the inner layer of animal leather, it is of course more breathable than, for example, patent or smooth leather. Suede also has heat-retaining qualities, which is why it is often used in autumn and winter shoes, outerwear, and gloves.

Historical Facts

Before the stages listed above, there were of course periods of experimentation and research, until people understood how and where to use this unique and useful material. Suede originated in Northern Europe, and its name has two versions: one from French, deriving from the word chamois, and another from Dutch zeem. Craftsmen began to use suede in France around 1709.

They discovered that animal leather treated with fish oil became waterproof, which was an exceptional innovation in the production world of that era. Before the classical processing method was established, craftsmen experimented with different animal hides, vegetable oils and animal fats, and in some cases even egg yolks to treat suede.

Eventually, over the years, the technique was refined, and suede reached us in the processing form that we use today.

What Are the Different Types of Suede and Their Qualities?

Although we commonly say “suede” for all velvet-like leather types, they do have nuances and differences, which we will detail below.

Deer Hide Suede

Also called “royal suede,” as it is among the highest-quality materials.
Very soft, light, and elastic leather.
The obvious welt and stitching provide the shoes with a distinctive, manly look.
Luxurious in appearance, delicate and pleasant to the touch, but sensitive to moisture.
Typically used in premium gloves, expensive clothing, and luxury accessories.

Lambskin Suede

Also soft, light, and elastic.
As luxurious as deer suede, but more vulnerable to moisture and wear, thus requiring careful care.
Mainly used in evening wear, elegant clothing, and premium-quality shoes.

Goat Suede

Much more durable than lamb suede.
Suitable for everyday shoes and clothing, as it does not wear out quickly.
Applied in footwear, jackets, and work clothing production.

Calf / Cowhide Suede

Usually obtained from young calf hides.
Structurally thicker and somewhat stiffer than previous types, but very strong.
Like goat suede, very suitable for everyday footwear and clothing.
Used in jackets, shoes, and work clothing.

Pigskin Suede

This type of suede has large pores.
Looks rough, not very elastic.
Extremely durable, breathable due to the large pores.
Mostly used for lining the inner layers of sports shoes.

Artificial / Industrial Suede

Artificial suede is made from microfiber fabric through special processing.
With good production, it can look almost indistinguishable from natural suede.
An alternative to high-quality natural leather suede types; since it is artificial, it is cheaper, less sensitive to moisture, and easy to clean.
However, it does not have the premium quality, luxury appearance, or softness of natural suede.

Industrial suede fabric is used everywhere: from car seats to furniture, from clothing to accessories, and more.

What Are the Advantages of Suede Leather?

Luxurious appearance and very high quality.
Breathable leather, therefore very comfortable for long wear; with proper care, shoes last a long time.
Very flexible and elastic material, quickly adapts to the shape of footwear, clothing, or accessories.
Suede is easily dyed, making it possible to achieve a wide variety of colors, including the brightest shades. A perfect example of this versatility is seen in ARMOS men’s multi-color suede sneakers, where multiple shades are combined in one design.

Use of Natural Suede in Footwear Production

Natural suede is synonymous with luxury and taste, which is why premium-class companies often use suede in the design of their shoes, and ARMOS is no exception.

Mostly, suede material is used for the upper parts of shoes, as it gives the model a luxurious look and is always fashionable. Besides the external appearance, suede is sometimes used for inner lining, making the footwear more comfortable to wear due to the softness and breathable quality of the fabric. Suede is also sometimes used as a detail material, to make certain parts of the shoe more emphasized, textured, and beautiful.

How to Care for Suede Shoes

Whether you have chosen black suede and crocodile leather Derbys, or black suede and leather sneakers, or maybe your shoes are entirely made of suede - in any case, you must treat this delicate and demanding leather with care, otherwise it will quickly lose its luxurious shine and softness.

Caring is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. You just need to do everything properly, and you will not face any issues. Here are some basic rules for taking care of suede footwear:

For daily cleaning, use a rubber or soft-bristle brush, gently passing it over the shoes to remove dust and light dirt. Always clean dust when the shoes are dry, without wetting them.
Water is the greatest enemy of suede. Once or twice a month, spray the shoes with special waterproof sprays designed specifically to protect suede fabric.
If the shoes are heavily soiled, it is advisable to wash them by hand with mild soap and a special brush. In extreme cases, you may wash them in a machine, but only on a delicate program, and never dry them in the machine, otherwise you may ruin their texture.
Do not dry shoes under direct sunlight or too close to heaters. Keep some distance and let them dry naturally.
For deeper stains, use special rubber erasers designed for suede.
Over time, suede may fade; there are special suede dyes and restoring sprays that bring back the freshness of the color. Do not use other materials, otherwise you may irreversibly damage the shoes.
Store suede shoes in dry and dark places, but not in polyethylene bags. They require breathable fabric bags or boxes.

Now that you know the most important details about suede fabric, it will be easier to navigate your choice, understand which type and style you prefer. Most importantly, you now know how to properly care for your suede shoes. Wear them with confidence, without fear of damage.

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