Why YSK: The term “Genuine Leather” is a marketing term to sell the lowest quality leather possible.
When purchasing a leather product, look for full grain leather or top grain leather instead. These will provide a much higher quality cut of leather that will look and feel much better and last for much longer.
Mostly people like it because it’s expensive and it makes them feel rich. It is more durable than cloth but that hardly matters for most of the things it’s used for.
It is very useful for furniture and car seats and things like that. Waterproof and easy to maintain without absorbing too much scents or liquids from your body.
Hardly matters? Try having kids and a dog for 5 years with a cloth couch. The permanent stains and smell will be impossible to get out.
Real leather? Will hold up to everything and go for 10 more years.
Garbage leather? Will crack and tear the first time your dog gets on it.
Leather has issues (Ethical issues with how we treat cows. Elitists issues putting leather on every surface of their car whether it needs it or not, etc). But quality leather matters, and does make a difference in durability.
I dunno, we have had a non leather sofa in my family home for like over 5 years and it’s fine. Nothing wrong with it to me.