Genuine leather and labels
What the words on a boot tag can and cannot tell you.
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The FTC Leather Guides
The FTC has guides on how leather and imitation leather products, including footwear, are described. They are at 16 CFR Part 24.
"Leather" on its own
Under the Guides, it is deceptive to call a product "leather" without qualification unless it is made of leather in all substantial parts.
Imitation leather
If a part looks like leather but is not, the Guides say that should be disclosed, with words such as "Imitation leather", "Simulated leather", "Vinyl", or "Plastic".
Bonded leather
Material made from ground, shredded, or bonded leather is not wholly the hide of an animal. The Guides say it should not be represented as leather, though a label may describe its bonded leather content accurately.
Boots have three parts
For footwear, the Guides treat the upper, the lining and sock, and the outersole as separate parts. A tag can say, for example, "Upper of manmade materials and leather".
"Genuine leather"
The Guides do not define "genuine leather". Ask the maker which leather and which layer it is.
FAQ
General information only. Follow the boot maker's care instructions and the directions on any care product. Test a product on a hidden spot first, because some products can darken leather.
How it was tanned
Vegetable and chrome tanning, plainly.
