Suede and faux suede: feel, wear and care
What gives suede its soft napped surface, how faux suede differs, and the care routine that keeps both looking good.
The short answer: suede's velvety surface comes from a raised nap of fine fibres — classic suede from the underside of split leather, faux suede from microfibre fabrics finished to the same effect. Both look and feel warm and refined, and both share the same enemies: water, grease and neglect. With a brush and a protector spray they're easy to live with; without, they mark quickly.
What is suede?
Classic suede is leather with the flesh side buffed into a soft nap — unlike nubuck, which is sanded on the grain side and wears more durably. Faux suede achieves the same velvety hand with microfiber textiles: ultra-fine synthetic fibres raised into a nap. Visually the two are close; faux suede is more uniform, usually lighter, and cares slightly easier. Our product pages state the exact upper material in the specifications table, so check there to see which you're looking at.
Why people choose the suede look
| Property | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Soft, matte surface | The warm, textured look that smooth materials can't imitate |
| Comfortable feel | The nap is soft against the hand and flexes easily |
| Abrasion buffer | On skate shoes, suede panels outlast canvas at contact zones |
| Ages characterfully | Wear zones develop shading rather than cracks |
Trade-offs to know
- Water is the main enemy. Rain flattens the nap and can leave watermarks, especially on classic suede. Faux suede recovers better but still prefers dry days.
- Grease stains are stubborn. Oil wicks into the nap; treat immediately or it sets.
- Needs its own tools. A suede brush and a protector spray are near-mandatory; ordinary shoe polish ruins the nap.
- Colour transfer. Dark suede can shade light socks (and vice versa) when new or damp.
How to care for suede and faux suede
- Protect first. Apply a water-and-stain protector spray before the first wear, and refresh it every few weeks of use.
- Brush regularly. A suede brush, used in one direction, lifts dust and revives the nap. Brush only when fully dry.
- Dry marks: rub gently with a suede eraser (a clean pencil eraser works in a pinch), then brush.
- Wet shoes: blot with a towel, stuff with paper, air-dry slowly away from heat, then brush the nap back up.
- Grease: dab — don't rub — with an absorbent powder (talc or cornstarch), leave overnight, brush out.
Suede at Studio Aurel
Suede-look panels appear on our skate shoes — where they reinforce high-wear zones alongside canvas — and across seasonal boots and casual shoes. The specifications table on each product page names the upper material; the shoe materials overview puts suede next to every alternative.
FAQ
What is the difference between suede and faux suede?
Classic suede is split leather buffed to a nap; faux suede is a microfibre fabric finished to look and feel the same. Faux suede is more uniform, usually lighter and a little easier to clean; classic suede has the deeper, irregular texture. Care for both the same way.
Can suede shoes get wet?
Occasional light rain won't destroy them — blot, dry slowly and brush the nap back up. But suede is the wrong shoe for wet weather: water flattens the nap and can leave marks, so keep suede for dry days and use a protector spray.
How do I clean suede shoes?
Dry first, always. Brush with a suede brush in one direction; use a suede eraser on marks; for grease, absorb with talc overnight before brushing. Never scrub wet suede with soap the way you would canvas.
Why do skate shoes use suede?
Grip tape shreds soft uppers. Suede's dense nap abrades slowly, so suede panels at the toe and ollie zone outlast canvas there several times over — which is why classic skate silhouettes are suede at exactly those spots.