Footwear Materials: The Challenge of Synthetics

The market for leather and leather-like materials is not confined to shoe uppers. There are also linings, insocks, insole covers, bindings, insoles and stiffeners. In spite of synthetics, leather has retained the major share of the shoe upper material market, particularly in men's footwear. But the threat of further inroads into leather's remaining market remains. We assess the synthetic rivals, their properties, their market share and likely developments.