What's Real and What's Fake: My $250 Amazon Leather Bag Finds
Shopping for leather bags on Amazon can be a hit-or-miss experience. The platform is flooded with products that boast of being "genuine leather" at surprisingly low prices, but as many seasoned online shoppers know, the reality can sometimes be far from the advertised descriptions. In an attempt to discern the truth, I decided to purchase four different leather bags from Amazon, all under $250, and scrutinize their quality to see which ones are truly leather and which ones fall short.
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I purchased all of these products myself and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned in any way. All statements and expressions made about the products are solely the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein and are not meant to be conclusive or definitive. The purpose of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research on the products before adopting the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein.
NOTE: Some of the links here are affiliate links. We might get a small commission when you choose to purchase the product through our link which will help to support our Leathertainment content and channel. But rest assured that everything written in this article is our independent review.
The Contenders
The four bags I purchased are:
1. Kattee Vintage Genuine Leather Tote - $53.99
2. Komalc Leather Crossbody Bag - $36.99
3. Bostanten Leather Tote - $96.99
4. S-Zone Genuine Leather Satchel - $69.99
Each bag comes with its own set of claims and boasts decent Amazon ratings. Let's dive into the details of each bag and evaluate their authenticity.
1. Kattee Vintage Genuine Leather Tote
Amazon Rating: 4.3 stars
Price: $53.99
First up is the Kattee Vintage Genuine Leather Tote. Upon receiving the bag, my initial impression was one of skepticism. The material felt very plasticky to both the hand and eye. Despite its label claiming "split cow leather," it was clear that this bag was not what I would consider genuine leather.
The Reality: This bag employs a common tactic where a split leather base (the fibrous part of the hide left once the top grain has been split off) is laminated with a layer of polyurethane (PU). This process allows manufacturers to legally market the product as leather, even though it’s mostly synthetic. Essentially, this is a hybrid product, combining the cheapest parts of leather with plastic to create a material that looks like leather from a distance but doesn't hold up to close inspection.
@tanner.leatherstein REAL leather bag for $38?! 🤨 #tannerleatherstein #isitworthit #bagreview #leatherbag #amazonfinds ♬ original sound - Tanner Leatherstein
2. Komalc Leather Crossbody Bag
Amazon Rating: 4.3 stars
Price: $36.99
Next is the KomalC Leather Crossbody Bag. This bag immediately felt different. It had a rustic, rugged texture typical of crazy horse or pull-up leather, known for its durability and unique aging process. The large grain patterns were evident, indicating the use of buffalo hides.
The Reality: This bag is indeed genuine leather. The separated hair follicles and natural grain patterns are tell-tale signs of authentic buffalo leather. The bag’s finish, or lack thereof, with just waxes for a distressed effect, further confirms its authenticity. This was a pleasant surprise, given its modest price tag.
3. Bostanten Leather Tote
Amazon Rating: 4.3 stars
Price: $96.99
The third bag is the Bostanten Leather Tote. Visually, this bag appeared very standardized and plasticky, similar to the Kattee tote. I had my suspicions right away, and upon closer inspection, those suspicions were confirmed.
The Reality: Like the Kattee bag, the Bostanten tote uses a cow split suede base topped with a layer of PU. This approach allows them to call it leather legally, but it's essentially a synthetic product masquerading as genuine leather. For nearly $97, this feels like a clear case of misrepresentation.
4. S-Zone Genuine Leather Satchel
Amazon Rating: 4 stars
Price: $69.99
Finally, we have the S-ZONE Genuine Leather Satchel. This bag, unlike the Bostanten and Kattee totes, felt and looked like genuine leather from the start. The texture was consistent with buffalo leather, and it had a distinct distressed pull-up finish.
The Reality: This bag is made from lower-grade buffalo leather with an infused wax oil finish for a distressed look. While it’s not top-tier leather, it is authentic. Additionally, the bag includes a charming touch with a pouch and a keychain that reads, “random gift to the old friend,” adding a bit of personality to the purchase.
Ranking the Bags from Worst to Best
After thoroughly inspecting each bag, here's my ranking from best to worst based on authenticity, value for money, and overall quality:
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KomalC Leather Crossbody Bag - $36.99
The best value for money. The KomalC crossbody bag stands out with its genuine buffalo leather, rugged design, and exceptional affordability. At just $37, it’s hard to believe how they can produce this and still make a profit, but for consumers, it's a genuine bargain.
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S-Zone Genuine Leather Satchel - $69.99
A mixed bag, literally. While it is genuine leather, the lower grade and overall quality don’t justify its $70 price tag. For the same price, one could find better options with higher-quality leather and craftsmanship.
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Kattee Vintage Genuine Leather Tote - $53.99
The Kattee tote is a bag of disappointment, the combination of split leather and PU gives it a plasticky feel, undermining its value. Additionally, the low-cost hardware suggests corners were cut in the production process, raising sustainability and ethical concerns.
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Bostanten Leather Tote - $96.99
The worst of the bunch. This bag’s use of split leather with a PU coating makes it feel like a scam, especially at its price point. At nearly $97, consumers deserve genuine leather, not a cleverly disguised synthetic product.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of online shopping, particularly for leather goods, can be challenging. My experience with these four bags from Amazon underscores the importance of scrutinizing product descriptions and being aware of industry practices. While some products live up to their claims, others fall short, leveraging technicalities to mislead consumers.
If you're in the market for a leather bag on a budget, the KomalC Leather Crossbody Bag is the clear winner from my experiment. It's authentic, well-made, and incredibly affordable. For other options, always keep an eye out for signs of genuine leather and be cautious of too-good-to-be-true deals, as they often are just that.
Read: Buying Leather Wallets on Amazon: Sorting the Best from the Sketchy
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