What to do
- Smooth leather: wipe clean, condition every 4–6 weeks of regular wear, polish for shine and protection.
- Suede and nubuck: dry-brush only, use a suede eraser for marks, and waterproof with a suede-specific spray — never apply cream or polish.
- Keep all leather away from direct heat and soaking water; dry naturally with shoe trees in.
What happens if you ignore it
Leather is skin — it dries out, cracks, and water-stains. Skipping conditioning shortens its life by years; using smooth-leather products on suede flattens the nap permanently.
Where you'll see it
Dress shoes, quality sneakers, boots — usually on the upper row, often combined with textile linings and rubber soles.
Common questions
Does the hide symbol tell me what KIND of leather?
No — full-grain, split, suede, and nubuck all carry the same symbol. The symbol certifies the material is leather, not its grade or finish. Look at the surface: napped means suede/nubuck care, smooth means cream-and-polish care.
Is 20% of the part allowed to be something else?
Yes — the symbol requires 80% coverage. Trims, overlays, and panels can be other materials, which is why checking each part's row matters.
Related symbols
- Coated Leather — the part is real leather with an applied surface coating
- Textile — the part is made of textile
- Upper — this marks the upper
Or just scan the tongue tag
CareLabl scans shoe labels too. Point your camera at the tongue tag and get the upper, lining, and sole materials plus a care routine — then scan the outside for cleaning steps matched to the condition you're actually looking at. Try Pro free for 3 days, no credit card needed.