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The Sustainability Check
Vegan Leather vs. Genuine Leather
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What is vegan leather?
As the name suggests, vegan leather is completely free of animal components. It is a material that mimics animal leather without relying on animal hides. Instead, alternative raw materials are used, which can be synthetic or plant-based – with the aim of achieving a similar look and feel to genuine leather.
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What is vegan leather made of?
There are countless varieties of vegan leather:
Apple leather is made from waste from apple juice production.
Mushroom leather consists of the root structure of mushrooms.
Cactus leather is made from the robust cactus plant.
And these are just a few examples of alternatives to genuine leather. Each variant has its own advantages – but all have been developed without animal suffering and with a focus on the environment and the future. At Kapten & Son, we work with recycled PET and vegan tech material to avoid using genuine leather.
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What is vegan tech material?
We use high-quality vegan tech material made from synthetic fibers, which is enhanced with an innovative surface treatment. This material is:
Particularly durable
Water-repellent
Scratch-resistant
Easy to clean
For you, this means: It not only looks good, but also withstands wear and tear – making it perfect for on the go, daily life, or traveling.
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Our advantages at a glance:
Free from animal suffering – no animal components
Easy to care for compared to genuine leather
Modern design and high-quality feel
Vegan Leather vs. Genuine Leather: Which is more sustainable?
A common stereotype against vegan leather is that it is more environmentally damaging due to the plastic it contains than genuine leather. Is that true? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of recycled PET and PU, as well as vegan tech material, in direct comparison:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| No animal suffering – no animal components (even our glue is vegan) | Use of petroleum – a finite resource |
| Lower water consumption during production | Microplastics can enter groundwater (applies mainly to textiles, less so for bags and backpacks) |
| Reduced CO₂ footprint through energy-efficient processing | Material is not biodegradable and hard to recycle |
| Fewer toxic chemicals (depending on processing) | Disposal usually via incineration or landfill |
| Although durable, it is not necessarily as long-lasting as genuine leather |
So, there is no blanket answer to the question of whether vegan or genuine leather is more sustainable. Both materials can have negative, but also positive effects on the environment, depending on the production process. It all depends on what is important to you when making a purchase.
In terms of animal suffering, however, vegan materials are definitely a step in the right direction. At the same time, the production of genuine leather has many more disadvantages:
High water and land consumption due to livestock farming
Higher CO₂ emissions as a result
Strong chemical pollution due to, for example, chrome tanning
Biodegradability depends on tanning
Difficult to recycle due to chemical treatment
Caring for Vegan Leather – Here’s How to Do It Right
Caring for vegan leather is super straightforward. Here are a few simple tips to keep your Kapten & Son products looking great for a long time:
Cleaning: Wipe with a damp cloth – for heavier stains, use mild soap and lukewarm water.
Avoid aggressive cleaners – this protects the surface.
Store dry and avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of the material.
No need to oil or grease – vegan leather doesn’t require it!
Conclusion
Vegan leather is a good alternative to genuine leather – and at the same time, a true statement for sustainability, animal welfare, and a preference for modern design. At Kapten & Son, we use vegan leather to act responsibly. But also because it aligns with our values and is a step in the right direction.
We consciously refer to “a step.” Because even though animal suffering can be reduced through leather alternatives, the production of these materials still impacts our environment. PU – the vegan tech material we work with – is a plastic derived from petroleum. We know that many more steps need to follow to ensure that neither animals nor the environment are harmed. But: We don’t like to stand still. Therefore, we are constantly working to figure out which steps must follow. And we are ready to take each and every one of them.