OEM Leather vs Aftermarket

I’m fairly certain that your off-road has an imitation leather seat (high quality vinyl). I think the limited is the only one with real leather from the factory. Katzkin and clazzio use real leather.

 

I'd be surprised if even the limited uses real leather, but I'll take your word for it. My assumption was that most new cars use high quality vinyl and leather is far and few in between any more.

 

Nope. Same synthetic leather in both.

 

Being a leather nerd, I've looked into this "pleather" or "leatherette" that the Taco and pretty much every other OEM uses for the past 10-15 years. It is leather, but it's not cut from a hide, it's leather scrap ground up and bonded, bonded leather.

BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, they all use some version of bonded leather. Not true hide, not true vinyl. Lexus calls it NuLuxe, Taco I think is called SofTex.

I like true hide (because I'm a leather nerd) but it requires a lot of care, especially on the side bolsters where you slide in and out.

 

Awesome info!

 

That's correct, the bolsters are bonded leather (kinda like gluing wood scraps together to make particle board) not full hide. The seat bottoms and backs are vinyl.

 

After more than two years my Clazzio’s still look brand new. Not one issue.

 

With Clazzios, the bolsters are vinyl and the centers are leather.

 

Anyone put the Clazzio’s over the OEM “leather” seats?

 

Another vote for Clazzio here. You really cant tell its a cover unless you fold the back seats up, which exposes the straps. Installation was a bitch but totally worth it.

 

I'm guessing this fake leather is still more durable than the faux leather you see on Sofas peeling off after a couple of years no?

What are the advantages of vinyl vs true leather or fake leather?

Thanks for your expertise!

 

Toyota leather isn't even leather.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.toyotaarlington.com/blog/2016/11/23/what-are-toyota-softex-seats/

 

I’ve only had my Clazzio for a few weeks. I love them, feel great.

 

I had Roadwire leather installed through the dealership when I bought my truck. Had them about 14 months and love them. Done some research and they use genuine leather...

 

I' prolly gonna go for the Clazzio later on. For now I'm running a WalMart Mossy Oak $25 seat cover (camo of course). Looks crappy but between sweat and sunscreen I gotta do something.

 

Yes the Tacos dont come with real leather its synthetic leather. I have Katzkins on mine and they are real leather. I have the premium seats. I got the covers with the reupholster kit which includes the hog rings, pliers and TRD off road logo on headrest for less the 800 shipped and did them myself. Took me 6 hours to do all the seats and it was my first time doing them. I think if your going to spend 400 on clazzios might as well get real premium leather seats. Just my opinion hope it helps.

 

Not sure about sofas. I'm no expert, an upholstery shop would be. Bonded leather I *think* is thicker than pure vinyl, less prone to cracking, maybe more breathable.

Pure hide really can be a PITA, once the surface dye is rubbed off it shows the raw hide and there isn't a way to turn back the clock. High quality bonded they advertise it as having consistent color throughout so some rubbing and abuse don't ruin the look.

Pure hide requires frequent conditioning and light colors often get stained from clothing. Frankly, a high quality bonded seems like a good thing.