Vegan Leather VS Animal Hide Leather

[R1Tom]

Munro posted a video where they take issue with the name "Vegan Leather".

My question is about what actually touches your skin in both cases and ultimately does it matter what is under that. Meaning I believe hide leather is still typically coated with a polymer in most automotive applications. And so is Vegan leather. So...does it really matter...what is under that polymer?

I find the Rivian seats to be holding up as good or better than any hide leather seats I have ever had. And equal or better comfort too.

Contrary to most things Munro, the video seems to be suggesting that hide based leather shows work of a craftsman and vegan leather is push button work. Likely true to a degree, but in the world of value engineering, isn't that a win? And they also assume we are paying just as much for our vegan leather as if it were hide. How can they know that? Maybe Rivian would have had to raise truck price $500 if hide based? They conclude Vegan just increases profit. That is a big guess at best.

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[fotoflux]

I hate how it's marketed as "vegan" leather. that's an oxymoron. Leather is made from animal hide. However, if it holds up and doesn't peel or rip more easily than actual leather, great!

don't get me started on fat free half and half...

 

[R1Tom]

I hate how it's marketed as "vegan" leather. that's an oxymoron. Leather is made from animal hide. However, if it holds up and doesn't peel or rip more easily than actual leather, great!

don't get me started on fat free half and half...

I agree...the name is definitely marketing department stuff. But then again Porsche calls a Taycan a Turbo....

 

[domoplaytime]

I hate how it's marketed as "vegan" leather. that's an oxymoron. Leather is made from animal hide.

You've never had fruit leather?
For me as long as the vinyl is dried and aged I'm okay with it being called vegan leather. I agree with you that it would be less deceptive if it were made from real vegans.

 

[R1Tom]

You've never had fruit leather?
For me as long as the vinyl is dried and aged I'm okay with it being called vegan leather. I agree with you that it would be less deceptive if it were made from real vegans.

And Porsche Taycan Turbo's actually had turbochargers.

 

[windblowlc]

Okey dokey, I'll just spray some leather perfume on it and then no one would think that it's vegan. Anybody know where I can find a bottle?

 

[Underwhirled]

I hate how it's marketed as "vegan" leather. that's an oxymoron. Leather is made from animal hide. However, if it holds up and doesn't peel or rip more easily than actual leather, great!

don't get me started on fat free half and half...

Mercedes called theirs "MB Tex" as it is a textile, not leather. It was a vinyl that held up better than the leather inserts for their seating surfaces. I quickly banned anyone from entering my car that had bedazzled jean pockets - Good grief those fake studded pockets could scratch and rip through anything!

 

[ironpig]

Vegan "leather" is like Almond "milk". It's just using a term most closely associated with the product it's replacing. But It would prefer they stopped using the term leather. It's 2022 and we have all kinds of better interior textile options than cow skin.

 

[COdogman]

I think from Rivian's perspective (and their fans who share the belief), not using animal leather is a sustainability and animal welfare issue. I'm not an upholstery expert by any means, but I feel like at this point the materials used for "vegan" leather are pretty high quality and one isn't sacrificing durability or comfort.

Most "leather" furniture we buy for our homes is not covered in 100% leather either. Unless it's a very expensive piece i likely has cow leather on the "seating surfaces" but the back and sides are either leather match or "vegan" leather. Most of us never notice the difference.

 

[BGS]

I want dead cows!!

 

[opnwide]

Copied these from someone on Reddit. Hope it’s an anomaly…

 

[R1Tom]

Copied these from someone on Reddit. Hope it’s an anomaly…

I can say i have 11k on mine and not a sign of wear anywhere.

 

[Milermore]

Vegan "leather" is like Almond "milk". It's just using a term most closely associated with the product it's replacing. But It would prefer they stopped using the term leather. It's 2022 and we have all kinds of better interior textile options than cow skin.

Rich Corinthian Vinyl?

 

[ironpig]

Rich Corinthian Vinyl?

Bespoke, organic, small batch, fair trade, artisanal Vinyl.

 

[COdogman]

Rich Corinthian Vinyl?

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