Vegan Leather Bags: Are They Worth It?

March 13, 2025

What is vegan leather, how do I care for it, and do I really need it?

The current trend toward recycled materials and vegan leather may have a lot of you asking the same question: “Is vegan leather worth buying?” There is a lot more to this than simply answering yes or no. Today, I am going to breakdown some of the myths, facts, and fictions of vegan leather and recycled material products in general. We offer a wide range of eco-conscious bags, and I want you to feel confident in those products. I will address quality, and durability concerns along with questions about look, feel and maintenance of these bags in comparison to traditional animal skin leather. Let's get started with answering these questions about vegan leather and its place in modern travel and fashion.

We all know what leather is. Leather is a treated animal hide that has been cleaned, treated, tanned, stretched and many other things before it is crafted into any type of garment, accessory, or bag. But what is vegan leather? Vegan leather is a material made from various plastics (organic compounds or recycled) or other organic materials that mimic the look and feel of traditional leather. Vegan leather can be made from polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or plant-based materials like pineapple leaves, apple scraps, cork, or even mushroom roots. The first two items are organic polymers used to make things like plastics, adhesives, insulation and other materials of that nature. PU can be derived from recycled plastics making it a great way to clean up plastic bottle waste and turn it into something beautiful and useful. The later organic materials are typically ground into a find powder, mixed with something like PU or PVC for structure to create the leathery look and texture. This leather-like material is typically applied to another layer of fabric or lining for added structure and durability.

Now, how do we know vegan leather will last? It isn’t all that different from traditional leather. Quality and manufacturing processes have a lot to do with it. A lot of products labeled as “genuine leather” are leather, but they are from lower quality hides that may not be treated as well as the high-quality hide cuts. You will also come across bonded leather which a leather made from lower-quality leather scraps that are, you guessed it, bonded together to form a new piece of leather. These lower quality leathers won’t hold up the same as a top tier cut that you’ll find on a designer bag or jacket, that’s just the fact. The same can be said for vegan leathers. A cheaper, low quality vegan leather will be made from a less durable and forgiving material. Those materials will feel firmer and more like plastic to the touch. Sun and heat will take a toll on them and excessive moisture can cause premature cracking and damage. Making sure you have a more forgiving leather substitute will ensure that your bag will have some flexibility to handle regular movement over time. Modern vegan leathers combine technology and new compounds to create a material that will last for years with basic maintenance and cleaning.

Cleaning and maintaining your vegan leather bag will ensure maximum use. Thankfully, this is an easy process. Basic maintenance won’t take long and won’t cost you much out of pocket. The biggest thing to remember is to not store your bag in direct sunlight, or hot locations. This applies to traditional leather as well, so no real difference there. Cleaning these materials is simple and cost effective. You want to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive tools. A soft towel with a mixture of warm water and any gentle household cleaner or hand soap will do the trick. Most leather conditioners will be compatible with vegan and synthetic leather materials, so if you already have these products, you’re likely good to go. Even just a gentle wipe with a damp cloth will help preserve your bag. Be sure to let everything air dry naturally, and not in the sun on you’ll prolong the life of your bags. Easy and cheap maintenance, what more could you ask for?

After educating ourselves on vegan leather we can finally answer the question, are vegan leather bags worth it? The simplest answer I can give is yes, they are. Durability has been proven with high-quality vegan leather bags that are on the market now. Low quality bags will always give you trouble regardless of the materials. At Stiles Supply we offer vegan bags starting around $60 and ranging to the $200 mark. The quality you receive at that price point will meet or exceed what you will find in a traditional leather bag. If you’re eco-conscious these alternatives are perfect whether you need something durable, fashionable, or professional. Below you’ll find some of our favorite vegan bags in our collection, or you can shop our entire collection today and find your perfect bag.

Bugatti Henry Backpack $100