Shoe materials and care
How nubuck, suede, leather and sheepskin differ, and how to care for Babylon shoes so they last longer.
Materials & careGenuine leather or faux leather: how to tell them apart and what to choose for shoes
Faux leather, often sold as “eco leather” or “vegan leather”, is not a kind of leather but a fabric with a polymer coating. Here is how to tell it apart from genuine leather on a shoe, how they differ in wear, and when each makes sense — with Babylon models as examples.
Materials & careGenuine sheepskin boots: how to tell real sheepskin from a fake
Real sheepskin boots are made from a hide where the fleece and the leather are one piece. Here is how to check that in a few minutes, what the material list should say, and how Babylon's sheepskin and nubuck boots differ.
Materials & careHow to care for sheepskin boots: cleaning, drying, storage
Natural sheepskin boots last several seasons if you never dry them on a radiator and protect them from moisture and salt in time. Step by step, for leather and suede pairs with fleece inside.
Materials & careHow to clean white leather sneakers at home (and what not to do)
White leather sneakers are easy to bring back to life without a washing machine or bleach. Step by step: the upper, sole, laces and suede inserts, plus the mistakes that leather does not recover from.
Materials & careHow to clean nubuck and suede sneakers: cleaning, protection, drying
A step-by-step guide for nubuck and suede sneakers: everyday cleaning, stains, rain, road salt, protection and storage — plus what never to do. For the difference between nubuck and suede and which to choose, see “Nubuck or suede”.
Materials & careNubuck or suede: how they differ and which to choose for sneakers
Nubuck and suede feel alike, but they wear differently. Here is how the two materials differ, which is more practical for everyday wear and which Babylon sneakers are made of each. Step-by-step care is in a separate guide, “How to clean nubuck and suede sneakers”.