The FTC Leather Guides for shoes, in plain words
What 16 CFR Part 24 says about the word leather, part by part.
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What the Guides are
Part 24 says the Guides "represent administrative interpretations of laws administered by the Federal Trade Commission" and "provide the basis for voluntary compliance with such laws by members of industry." Part 24 lists "footwear" among the products it covers.
The word leather
The FTC Leather Guides say it is "unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified term 'leather' or other unqualified terms suggestive of leather to describe industry products unless the industry product so described is composed in all substantial parts of leather."
Three parts of a shoe
For footwear, the Guides treat three parts separately: "the upper, the lining and sock, and the outersole." The Guides say it is sufficient to disclose non-leather materials in each part "according to predominance of materials," for example "Upper of manmade materials and leather."
Part by part
The Guides say: "A representation as to the composition of a particular part of a product should clearly indicate the part to which the representation applies."
Whose words these are
Material words on a shoe are the maker's label, not ours. We never say any shoe is leather.
This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 24, Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products.
FAQ
General information only, not medical advice. Material labels are the maker's: check the label for each part of the shoe. Fit varies by maker and by person, so check the maker's size chart and the return policy. If you have foot pain or a foot or health condition, talk to your doctor or a podiatrist.
Next: material labels
Upper, lining, outersole.
