Science

::sigh::

Until it actually functions like leather in terms of wear and abrasion resistance, I really wish they'd quit calling it leather. It's cellulose, not the collagen that makes up an actual hide, and it's very, very unlikely to share the same qualities that leather has.

I do leather work on an irregular basis (both sewing and carving/tooling), and use leather protective apparel for riding. The function, particularly the durability and longevity, is the primary reason for using leather, and until a product reaches that point, it's not worthwhile.