We make belts in both materials. Collection I is genuine leather. Collection II is vegan leather. Neither one is the better belt. They are different, and it helps to know how before you pick.
Genuine leather
Genuine leather is animal hide. Our Vellum uses smooth leather and our Caiman uses croc-embossed leather with a glossy finish.
- Look: natural grain, with small variations from belt to belt.
- Wear: softens and shapes to you over time, and picks up creases and character where it bends.
- Care: wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth. A small amount of leather conditioner a few times a year keeps it from drying out.
Vegan leather
Vegan leather is a synthetic material made to look and feel like leather, with no animal hide. The whole of Collection II is vegan leather, including the quilted Marshal and the leopard print Emblem.
- Look: clean and consistent, and it takes bold colors, quilting and prints well.
- Wear: holds its original shape and finish rather than changing with age.
- Care: wipe with a damp cloth and let it air dry. Skip leather conditioner, since it is made for hide.
How to choose
Pick genuine leather if you want a belt that changes with you. Pick vegan leather if you want no animal products, or you want a color or texture that stays exactly as it came.
Care for both
Store your belt hanging or loosely rolled, not folded tight. Keep it out of direct sun and heat. Every Collection II belt ships with a dust bag, and that is the best place to keep it between wears.