How To Care For Nubuck Leather

Nubuck is leather that has been sanded or buffed to give a short nap, producing a velvet-like surface. It is resistant to wear, and can be dyed any color. 

Black Nubuck "Sabrina"

Nubuck is similar to suede, which is made from the inner side of a hide, whereas nubuck is created from the outer side of a hide, giving it more strength and thickness along with a fine grain. It is usually more expensive than suede, and is dyed to cover up the sanding and stamping process.  While very soft and durable, it does scratch easily.

Follow these steps to insure your nubuck shoes stay beautiful:

1)    A bit of preventive maintenance goes a long way.  Spray your shoes with a protective spray made especially for nubuck and suede.  This process should be repeated regularly.

2)    If your shoes get wet, let them sit and dry thoroughly.  The nubuck might seem a bit hard, but the nap can be brushed with a special nubuck brush to soften the leather and remove any surface dirt.

3)    If you get marks on lighter colors, a nubuck “stone” or “eraser can be used to gently rub the marks.  This is a great product and can be purchased at most shoe repair shops.

4)    Nubuck can be cleaned. Special cleaners are available, but if you don’t feel comfortable cleaning them yourself; a good sho repair shop can make your shoes look like new.

Nubuck is a beautiful, soft but strong leather…...a bit of care will ensure

years of wear!