Nubuck

nubuckIt is an established term formed by adding "new" to buckskin, which refers to deer hide.

A material made by finely buffing the outer surface of leather to create a short nap

Leather made by lightly rubbing the grain side, which is the outer surface of the hide, with sandpaper or similar abrasives to create a fine nap. It is mainly produced from cowhide or goatskin, featuring very fine surface fibers and a velvet-like touch. Unlike suede, which shaves the flesh side of the leather, it is processed on the outside, so the tissue structure remains comparatively dense.

Lace-up ankle boots made of nubuck material — Explanatory image created by hmmm

Nubuck upper highlighting a fine nap texture

Appearance

Because the nap is very short, it has an outwardly matte texture without shine. When brushed with a hand, differences in shade appear depending on the direction of the grain. Because only the outer surface of the leather is lightly buffed, original fine pores or grain traces of the raw hide can occasionally be seen on the outside.

Use

It is frequently used as the upper material that wraps the vamp and sides of footwear such as boots and sneakers. Beyond footwear, it is widely utilized as the outer fabric for various leather products that demand friction resistance and durability, such as outer shells for jackets, gloves, bags, and wallets.

When choosing

Since thickness and flexibility vary depending on the type of raw hide (cow, goat, etc.), check the material composition label. If labeled as 'Tumbled Nubuck', in which natural creases are formed by tumbling the leather in a rotating drum, the surface is softer and more wrinkled than regular nubuck.

Care

Moisture and oil easily penetrate between the surface fibers, making it prone to staining. When contaminated, avoid washing with water and gently brush it away with a dedicated nubuck rubber eraser or brush; it is safer to prevent stains by applying a dedicated waterproof spray before wearing.