Thanks to modern technologies Today, many natural materials are being replaced by synthetic ones. Take, for example, artificial nubuck, which, unlike natural, is considered more affordable. It is quite resistant to moisture, but does not allow air to pass through.

What kind of material is artificial nubuck?

First of all, it is worth noting that this synthetic fiber is very similar to suede, but it is a type of flock that was developed back in the 20s of the last century. Many people confuse artificial nubuck with genuine leather or velor. However, this artificial multilayer polymer material is more wear-resistant and has moisture-repellent properties, which cannot be said about natural ones. Despite the rough texture, due to its velvety nature, products made from artificial nubuck look very presentable. For example, it can be not only shoes, but also furniture.

Unlike natural nubuck, artificial nubuck has its own subspecies. For example, nubuck oil, woven or non-woven version. All subspecies are distinguished by a characteristic manufacturing process and undergo additional processing. Its price, quality and strength subsequently depend on this.

Shoes made from artificial nubuck are lightweight and quite durable. In addition, the maximum resemblance to suede makes this accessory stylish and desirable for many fashionistas. Unlike natural nubuck, artificial nubuck can be worn in rain and snow due to its water-repellent properties. But due to the lack of breathability, you won’t be able to wear such shoes for a long time. However, an accessory made from synthetic fiber is in great demand, and it is not so demanding to care for.

Caring for artificial nubuck

If natural fiber is very demanding, then synthetic nubuck is quite simple and easy to use. It does not rub like suede, does not absorb moisture and dries quickly. It is easy to care for, just follow some recommendations:

• artificial nubuck cannot be subjected to heat treatment and dried with hot air, for example, with a hairdryer;
• it cannot be cleaned with alcohol solutions;
• Avoid using bleaches and solvents containing petroleum products.

To care for artificial nubuck, you should give preference to standard ones or use a soap solution.

Depositphotos/DGOLBAY

Comfort, style and sophistication are the words inherent fashion trends dictating to us what to wear and the texture of the material of manufacture play a significant role. Thanks to it, it is possible to create not only a harmonious image, but also comfort. Developments in this direction do not stop for a second and the results are the emergence of more and more new materials, with the texture of top-level raw materials, such as nubuck.

With its help, it became possible to convey conservative ideas of a strict style in shoes or, conversely, to reflect the spirit of freedom. It is often confused with suede, so let’s look in more detail at what kind of material nubuck is.

Nubuck - what kind of shoe material is it?

Most people have heard about such a material as nubuck leather, however, not everyone knows what it is and whether it has anything in common with genuine leather. Real nubuck is a type of cattle leather that has undergone special processing and tanning with mineral salts using fine substances. This processing procedure makes the material soft and elastic. It is inferior to smooth leather in moisture resistance, but superior to suede.

Characteristics and varieties

It is not at all surprising that nubuck shoes are becoming increasingly popular, because the material has many positive properties:

• high breathability;
• pleasant in tactile and aesthetic form;
• strength and wear resistance at proper care;
• good readings resistance to mechanical load;
• practically unstretchable.

Since the material has universal properties It is used to make boots, boots, sandals and shoes. In addition, it is used in interiors as furniture upholstery; the production of nubuck gloves and handbags is also a popular trend.

In stores you can find several options for shoes made from fleecy raw materials, conditionally divided into three main groups:

Faux nubuck shoes, reviews

Each material has its own artificial analogues, differing in a cheaper price category. Also, nubuck products have their synthetic counterparts, which are a polymer pie. Manufacturers use the latest technologies to create an ideal likeness natural product, however at a better price. Meanwhile, despite its cheapness, the wear resistance of artificial nubuck is at a fairly high level, but poor ventilation still remains the biggest disadvantage of this product.

What is the difference between nubuck and suede

Each of these materials is given its rightful place in the collections of designers. They are suitable for sewing not only shoes, but also outerwear, as well as accessories. When choosing a new material, the question remains: what is better, nubuck or suede:

• Production raw materials. Natural suede is essentially deerskin. Cattle are used to make nubuck.
• Tanning method. Fatliquoring remains the unchanged method for suede; chrome plating is mainly used for nubuck.
• Wear resistance. Suede still has the best durability indicators.

How to distinguish nubuck from a fake

Since nubuck is a natural material, it not only has good ventilation, but also quickly absorbs moisture. To check, if you wet it, the effect of water will manifest itself immediately - the natural material will become noticeably darker.

For artificial raw materials, such manifestations are unusual, because the material has a multi-layer structure that does not allow moisture to pass through, but has a longer service life.

If you plan to purchase a leather product, you must also pay attention to the label. Its material is always identical to the material of the purchased product. Where natural animal skin was used, its image is presented on the label, for artificial composition- the meaning of the rhombus.

It is also possible to identify genuine leather by its letter name. Mostly shoes are foreign-made, so the information will be in the language of the manufacturing country:

• English - genuine leather;
• German - echtleder;
• Italian - vera pelle;
• French - cuir.

Caring for nubuck shoes

Having found out what kind of nubuck material it is, let’s move on to the rules for caring for nubuck shoes. First of all, let us note that the care process should begin from the first day of wear and this type of skin is one of the most capricious to care for. For these purposes the following methods are used:

• First appearance. When purchasing a new product, we undoubtedly have to wear it on the same day, however, in the case of this material, initial processing must be carried out water-repellent impregnation for nubuck shoes. Please read the instructions for this product first. Most often it is necessary to apply it in several stages with intervals for each layer to dry completely. A similar procedure is performed every time after a walk in wet weather. The following manufacturers of waterproof emulsions are characterized by excellent quality: Collonil Biwax Spray, Saphir Medaille, TARRAGO Nano Leather Refresh, Salamander Universal SMS.
• Proper cleansing. When cleansing with special products, you do not need to put a lot of effort and put pressure on the skin. Careful and gentle handling is what is required to keep the shoes in their original condition. Rubberized brushes designed specifically for suede and nubuck are used as assistants.
• Dry cleaning. After walking, shoes are cleaned from dust accumulation with a dry metallic brush.
• Wet cleaning. The next stage of daily care involves evenly spraying the spray over the surface. It is selected based on the color of the shoes. Well-established manufacturers: Salamander, Erdal, Collonil, Sitil, Saphir, Kiwi, Silver.
• Drying. The previous stage is not the last in the procedure; after it, the shoes need to be dried; it is not recommended to go outside right away, because the deposition of dust particles will be much stronger.

How to clean nubuck shoes at home: what can and cannot be used?

IN winter period To remove icing, utility services sprinkle roads with salt or special reagents, which does not have the best effect on nubuck shoes - white stains remain on them. In order to get rid of salt stains in winter, a special shampoo is used. However, the initial procedure is dry cleaning.

For the same purposes you can use ammonia. Mix it with water in a ratio of 1:4, moisten a soft sponge in the resulting composition and wipe the contaminated areas. Next comes the drying stage. For example, you can hold it over steam. This way the fibers are straightened and the material becomes like new.

When stains appear, use a special stain remover foam for this type of material. Regular table salt can also be used. However, in this case, it will be necessary to carry out subsequent cleansing of white stains, according to the scheme described in the first option.

What procedures cannot be performed with nubuck shoes?

First of all, it is worth noting that any cleaning of a nubuck pair of shoes is carried out only on dry material, and drying should be done naturally by placing paper inside. You cannot place wet boots near the radiator, because... When dry, the leather will become rough and may burst.

The opposite situation awaits if the boots are wet and dirty. In this case, you need to wait until it dries and clean it. If you try to remove stains from wet shoes, they will be absorbed even more.

Moisture in large quantities- this is the most terrible enemy of nubuck. Therefore, when performing wet cleaning, only use special means. It is strictly forbidden to wash shoes under the tap, machine wash or soak them. This processing method will make the shoes look unaesthetic, the structure will become rigid and it will be almost impossible to achieve the previous condition.

Finishing the season right - rules for preserving shoes

It must be remembered that the end of the season is an occasion for a general cleaning of all shoes, including nubuck. To ensure that the owner of boots or boots has a favorite pair in excellent condition and next year When preparing for storage, follow these tips:

• Dry naturally, remove dirt, remove the insoles and disinfect with a special aerosol.
• A spacious box with a tight-fitting lid is used for storage. There should be a hole in it for ventilation, if there is none, make it yourself. Shoes must not be placed in plastic bags- there is a high probability of occurrence unpleasant odor.
• The boots will need to be aired periodically. If the material appears too dry, it is treated with an aerosol of the appropriate color, dried and placed back in the box.

Nubuck is a valuable material that is not only aesthetically attractive, but also comfortable to wear. However, it needs to be cared for daily. By adhering to the rules described above, you can significantly increase the service life of the product, without losing the original characteristics.

What kind of material is nubuck, what features does it have? This information is worth studying before you buy new boots or order upholstery for your sofa! We will tell you everything about the soft natural material, and the choice will be yours.

Definition and characteristics

First, let's look for a definition of what kind of material nubuck is. This is a polished cattle leather with a fibrous surface. Tanning is done using mineral or chromium salts; the skins of yak, deer and elk are most often used. Look at the photo to find out what nubuck looks like and learn to distinguish it from other similar fabrics.

After weaving, the fabric acquires the following characteristics:

• Incredible softness;
• High skin sensitivity;
• Wear resistance and tensile strength;
• The surface repels water.

This leads to a logical question: which is better – nubuck or leather? Everyone decides for themselves - Genuine Leather less whimsical, but less durable, while the velvety counterpart will withstand intense wear, but is very difficult to care for, according to customer reviews.

It’s not enough to just figure out what it is – fabric or nubuck leather. You need to go through the varieties of material to find out more.

Unfortunately, there are certain disadvantages that you should prepare for before purchasing such products:

• Humidity can cause invaluable harm - you should not wash shoes, even if water-repellent impregnation is applied;
• The appearance of the upper material is quickly lost if you go out in slush, dirt, or rain;
• Careful ongoing care is required - special brushes and products are needed;
• If the product has been dirty, it will be very difficult to clean off the dirt - prepare for a long process;
• The original color of the fabric is lost and fades very quickly.

We looked at the advantages and disadvantages of nubuck - now you are armed with the necessary knowledge! Let's talk about areas of use of the material?
Be sure to check it out next

Nubuck has a refined appearance and a delicate shade, so it is often used for sewing shoes. Concerning male models, then boots and shoes are most often made from it. For women, the choice is much more varied; nubuck is used in the manufacture of shoes, sneakers, low shoes, boots, ankle boots and even boots.

Nubuck: what kind of material is it?

You've probably heard of nubuck. It is also sometimes confused with velor or suede, but it differs from them in the method of tanning and the raw materials used.

There are two types of this material: natural and artificial. The latter is also called synthetic. It is created from polymer fiber, which is compressed into several layers. Externally, it is quite close to natural.

If we talk about natural nubuck, then it is made from cattle hides. For this purpose, the chrome tanning method is used. Thanks to sanding with low-abrasive sandpaper using fine-grained sand, it acquires a velvety appearance. It also makes the leather durable and breathable.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of nubuck include its lightweight structure. At the same time, it is durable and lasts a long time. On average, one pair is enough for 2-3 seasons.

Air permeability, which was mentioned a little above, allows don't sweat your feet. Good ventilation allows for both winter and summer models.

This material also holds heat well - in winter you definitely won’t freeze in nubuck boots.

For those who follow fashion, the external characteristics will be a clear advantage - matte, with a small pile, and can be painted in various colors.

During production, the material for shoes is impregnated with special compounds that make them waterproof. Due to this, your feet will remain dry.

If we name the disadvantages, then first of all we should note the special care that nubuck shoes require. Despite the water resistance mentioned above, humidity can cause significant damage. Moreover, it cannot be washed with a cloth, even if there is a water-repellent agent.

Nubuck quickly loses its original color. And if you want to purchase delicate colors (yellow, pink, blue), then dirt and dust will be especially visible. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them during rainy and dirty weather.

Of course, you can turn a blind eye to all this with proper care. But you'll need a big list necessary tools, which will allow you to maintain the original characteristics. These are all kinds of special sponges, brushes, paints, aerosols and sprays. Since the shoes themselves are not cheap, care products must be specialized and quite expensive.

How to care for nubuck shoes

So, it was noted above that this is quite capricious material. Accordingly, caring for it will not be easy. Therefore, when buying a pair of shoes, you should immediately purchase all necessary means. The most important thing is to do the first cleaning immediately upon returning home with the purchase. The shoes are wiped down and a water-repellent compound is applied to them. This will allow you to extend the life of your boots, so do not neglect this action. After the first treatment, it is important to maintain constant care, otherwise these efforts will not be worth it. Give special care to your boots in rainy or snowy weather. Here are some cleaning tips:

• Dirt from the surface can be removed with a special stiff brush. If it has insufficient rigidity, then the dirt will not go away, and the material will no longer be velvety. In this case, you can only use a dry brush. If you don't have a brush at hand, you can use an eraser.
• If you want to wipe the outside with a damp sponge, you need to use a special detergent. It will not spoil the material and prevent its deformation. At home, instead of a cleaning agent, you can take a solution of ammonia and water (1/4 ratio).
• If your nubuck shoes have stubborn stains or scuffs, spray paint can help. Carefully spray it onto the damaged area according to the instructions on the can.
• After the shoes are cleaned, you need to cover them with a special water-repellent impregnation (you will find out which is better). This will create a protective layer and thereby make it easier to care for and prolong the durability of the material. The material must be treated with impregnation three times: each new layer is applied after the previous one has completely dried.

I also suggest you watch a video on the topic.

Thus, nubuck shoes are expensive materials and require care, but if you follow simple recommendations, they will last you more than one season.