Bonded leather -- sometimes called "reconstituted" leather or just plain "vinyl" -- is not the whole skin of an animal, but left-over pieces of hide blended together to form a seamless piece of leather material.

Genuine leather is made from entire pieces of animal hide and costs much more than items made with the bonded material. It's hard to tell the difference between the two, as once an item is made with bonded leather the appearance and smell are nearly identical.

Bonded Leather

Look of Leather:
Surprisingly similar to leather in look and feel.

Lowest Price:
About 35% less than Genuine Leather.

Recycled Content:
Leather scraps from factories and tanneries with synthetic materials are used

Cleaning: Easy to clean with a damp cloth. More resistant to stains and pet hair than fabric.

Genuine Leather

Look of Leather:
No need to wander…it is real leather!

Lowest Price:
Arguably higher-priced, but typically considered the better value for its investment quality and durability.

Recycled Content:
Non recycled, though hides are largely a by-product of the food industry.

Cleaning:
Easy to clean with a damp cloth. More resistant to stains and pet hair than fabric.