Not all “leather” is real leather — and brands know how to make fake leather look convincing. In India, terms like PU leather, vegan leather, faux leather, artificial leather, and synthetic leather are often used to mislead customers.

This guide reveals the exact signs that separate authentic full-grain leather from cheap substitutes — the marks, textures, smell, aging, flexibility, and craftsmanship details you can’t fake.

Whether you’re buying a leather bag online or offline, here’s how to ensure you’re getting the real thing. And when in doubt, trust brands like Hestern, who use only 100% genuine full-grain buffalo leather — the strongest and most premium grade of leather available.

Tomato bio-leather may be an innovative attempt to create sustainable, plant-based materials, but it remains largely experimental — lightweight and short-lived compared to the proven endurance of traditional buffalo leather. Crafted from full-grain buffalo hide, our leather naturally offers the strength, texture, and timeless character that synthetic alternatives try to imitate. At Hestern, we believe true sustainability lies not in constant replacement but in lasting quality — each buffalo leather piece is built to endure, age beautifully, and carry a legacy that no lab-made material can match