Professional Guide

Synthetic Materials Encyclopedia

Modern footwear increasingly relies on synthetic materials. From budget-friendly PU leather to high-performance mesh, understanding these alternatives is essential for cost-effective sourcing.

1 Types of Synthetic Materials

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PU Leather

Polyurethane coating on fabric base. Most common synthetic leather. Good hand feel, breathable.

  • • DMF-free options available
  • • Price: $1.50-5.00/meter
  • • Multiple finishes
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PVC Leather

Polyvinyl chloride with plasticizer. Most durable option. Waterproof.

  • • Highest durability
  • • Price: $1.00-3.50/meter
  • • Less breathable
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Microfiber

Ultra-fine fiber nonwoven. Premium synthetic. Closest to real leather feel.

  • • Cobible certified options
  • • Price: $3.00-8.00/meter
  • • High tear strength
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TPU Leather

Thermoplastic polyurethane. Eco-friendly option. Recyclable.

  • • Sustainable alternative
  • • Price: $2.50-6.00/meter
  • • Good flexibility

2 PU Leather Deep Dive

PU leather accounts for 60% of synthetic leather production. Understanding its structure helps select the right grade.

Layer Structure

Surface Film

PU coating + finish

Foam Layer

Cushioning + thickness

Adhesive Layer

Bonding agent

Fabric Base

Knitted/woven support

Premium PU (DMF-Free)

  • Solvent-free production
  • Better hand feel
  • No harmful odors
  • REACH compliant

Standard PU (DMF)

  • Contains DMF solvent
  • Lower price point
  • May have odor
  • Wide availability

3 Mesh & Technical Fabrics

Mesh Types

Sandwich Mesh

Three-layer construction: face + foam + backing. Most common athletic mesh. Good cushioning + breathability.

Price: $2.00-4.50/meter

3D Mesh

Mono-filament construction. Three-dimensional structure. Maximum airflow.

Price: $3.00-6.00/meter

Raschel Mesh

Warp-knit construction. Strong, dimensionally stable. Heavy-duty applications.

Price: $1.50-3.50/meter

Performance Specifications

Weight150-400 GSM
Air Permeability500-2000 mm/s
Tensile Strength200-500 N/5cm
Abrasion Resistance50,000+ cycles

4 China Suppliers

Production Hubs

Haining, Zhejiang

Largest synthetic leather hub. Wenzhou leather goods supply base. Competitive pricing.

Foshan, Guangdong

Premium technical fabrics. Mesh specialists. Better QC standards.

Xiamen, Fujian

Sports shoe materials. Mesh + synthetic specialists. Major sports brand suppliers.

Price Reference (FOB China)

PU Leather (Standard)$1.50-3.00/m
PU Leather (DMF-Free)$2.50-5.00/m
PVC Leather$1.00-2.50/m
Microfiber$3.00-8.00/m
Sandwich Mesh$2.00-4.50/m
3D Mesh$3.00-6.00/m

Related Categories

PU Leather

Polyurethane synthetic

38 articles

PVC Leather

Polyvinyl chloride

32 articles

Microfiber

Ultra-fine fiber

28 articles

Mesh Fabric

Breathable knit

34 articles