There is nothing like a steering wheel made from smooth leather?
But now you have to make the agonizing decision between choosing suede or leather.
This is important and you don’t have time to fiddlefart around.
Let’s get to the most important questions you should be asking so that you won’t wake up to the nightmare of choosing the wrong steering wheel.
Table of Contents
Suede vs. Leather: Durability
| Steering Wheel Material | Durability |
| Suede | Low durability Lasts less than 3,000 miles |
| Leather | High durability Lasts over 40,000 miles |
As a general rule, suede steering wheels last approximately 3000 miles when used without gloves while wearing suede driving gloves increases the life to over 5,000 miles. Leather steering wheels are more durable and typically last well over 40,000 miles when used without gloves.
Ok, so here is the deal. A suede steering wheel can last anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000miles.
Yes…I have heard stories of suede steering wheels lasting over 30,000 miles.
But that’s not the norm.
The truth is that most of those people don’t tell you that a 30,000-mile life out of suede wheel only occurs when you treat that wheel like a baby fresh out the 😲
Seriously!
Their hands have to be immaculate before touching the wheel.
I witnessed it. A person I know (whose name won’t be mentioned) washed their hands before getting into the car. Then they used their shirt to open the car door.
What next? He used a baby wipe to clean hands.
Didn’t he just wash his hands?
And finally, he dried his hands with a lint-free towel to make sure no fiber was left on his hands to be transferred to the steering wheel.
I reached out to touch the steering wheel. And I swear, I thought Armageddon was about to take place in 75 square foot space of that Porsche. 🤬
Geesh!
I just wanted to see what it felt like to be a passenger in a Porsche. 🤕
Suede steering wheels can be durable, but it takes work to make them durable.
We all get dirty hands from time to time, but putting a dirty hand on a suede steering wheel is basically a death ticket.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic.”
Well, actually, I’m not.
Suede steering wheels suck up dirt and grime like the black hole in Interstellar (by the way….a great movie if you haven’t seen it).
Being the person you are, you’re not going to tolerate a dirty suede wheel because it will look like utter crap💩.
And that’s one of the main complaints about suede steering wheels. They don’t retain their original grip and feel after washing. After a good cleaning, the suede will look good, but it won’t feel the same.
The feel is one of the reasons you laid down the big bucks for the suede in the first place. Right?
Man…that sucks…I’m sorry.
Oh, and let’s not get into oily and sweaty hands. Suede absorbs sweat like a charm. But the texture is slimy, and it looks like a cheap wheel cover from Walmart.
Gross!
Plus, it’s more prone to rips and tears.
But it’s not all bad. Suede steering wheels are great if you plan on wearing gloves while driving.
Do you plan on wearing gloves while you drive?? Race car drivers have suede wheels, and they were gloves.
If gloves are not an option, I highly recommend an Alcantara wheel.
Most dealerships have them in one of their packages or purchased as an aftermarket wheel.
Ok, so now that I have possibly deterred you suede wheels, let’s talk about the durability of a leather wheel.
Are they durable…heck yeah, they’re durable.
Leather steering wheels seem to last a lifetime.
Before you ask, Yes…there are several leather types used to construct steering wheels. We are talking generalities here.
Leather steering wheels get hot in extreme temperatures, resulting in a little warping of the steering wheel, but it’s rare.
The most common complaint about the durability of leather steering wheels is scratching. Most of the scratches seem to come from accidentally dragging a ring across the wheel. Or carless valets that don’t treat the wheel with the respect that it deserves.
Suede vs. Leather: Maintenance
| Steering Wheel Material | Maintenance Levels |
| Suede | High maintenance Intensive Cleaning Process Frequent Cleaning |
| Leather | Low maintenance Easily cleaning process Occasional Cleaning |
I hinted at the challenges of keeping suede clean. It absorbs everything.
Dirt, grime, sweat, sneeze residue, lint…did I say everything.
But that’s ok. You got it covered.
You’re going to do your sneezing before you get into the car, and you’re going to wash your hands religiously. But wait. Your hands will be so dry from all that washing that you will need to put on lotion or hand cream.
Bad idea. Lotions and oils seem to speed up the accumulation of dirt and grime. Back to cleaning you go.
Regardless of how many times you wash your hands, you will have to clean the suede steering wheel at some point. I suggest cleaning the steering wheel with suede cleaner every thousand miles, especially if driven in wet or adverse conditions.
A soft bristle or boars hair brush and some leather cleaner can assist in the process.
If you want the suede to have the original feel and look after cleaning, I suggest you look into getting a steering wheel made from Alcantra.
It is a synthetic suede material that can eliminate some of the cleaning issues mentioned above.
Leather is easier to clean and maintain compared to suede. You don’t need any unique products. Water and a damp paper towel will clean up most problems.
If that doesn’t work, use a mild soap and damp towel to clean away dirt or stains. And finally, use clean microfiber towels for drying.
Suede vs. Leather: Grip
| Steering Wheel Material | Grip |
| Suede | High Heat Generation Hand Slippage and Regripping High Hand Fatigue |
| Leather | Low Heat Generation No Hand Slippage Low hand fatigue |
Suede steering wheels are soft and comfortable to the touch. And they are great for those that are suffering from a hand or wrist problem.
Most people don’t notice it, but hand fatigue is common with vinyl and leather steering wheels. The fatigue is a result of constantly regripping the steering wheel.
As you are driving, heat is naturally generated between your hand and the steering wheel.
The generated heat, moisture, and oils from your hands cause you to lose your grip on vinyl and leather wheel and force you to grip tighter.
Suede steering wheels have a soft texture that remains comfortable. As your hands heat up during driving, the suede absorbs the heat and sweat.
The absorption properties of the suede wheel reduce hand fatigue and help you grip the wheel more comfortably, almost effortlessly.
Suede vs. Leather: Car Types
| Steering Wheel Material | Best Car Types |
| Suede | Luxury Cars Race cars |
| Leather | Any Car |
Suede steering wheels are best for race car drivers or anyone that requires enhanced control of their vehicle.
Race car drivers tend to drive their cars much less than the daily driver, so the suede doesn’t wear down as fast.
Additionally, most race car drivers wear gloves. The gloves provide additional grip and prevent the suede from wearing down as fast.
Suede steering wheels are usually optional equipment in high-end performance vehicles.
Leather steering wheels are best for vehicles that are going to be driven daily.
As we mentioned in the maintenance section, suede requires a lot of care. And if you arent willing to keep up with the maintenance, then a suede wheel is probably not your best option.
You would probably be better off with a steering wheel cover, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, or an Alcantara wheel.
Suede vs. Leather: Cost
| Company | Suede Price | Leather Price |
| NRG | $145.95 – $360 | $145.99 – 360 |
| Sparco | $250 – 300 | $250 – $295 |
| Momo | $250 | $250 |
| Sabelt | $250 | N/A |
The cost of these two steering wheels varies depending on the manufacturer’s option.
As with anything, you can find some cheap suede or leather steering wheels for under $100.
But let’s be real. What kind of quality are you getting?
But I have listed the prices for leather and suede steering wheels from the four most popular companies at the time of writing this post.
The prices range from $145 – $300 depending on the style and features.
Should You Get a Suede or Leather Steering Wheel?
The million dolla question🤑🤑.
If suede is your preference, it’s crucial to know suede can be more challenging to maintain than leather.
Leather requires less maintenance, but suede is easier on the hands when driving. It also has a better grip because suede doesn’t slip as much as leather does.
Best Candidate for a Suede Steering Wheel – If you plan to wear gloves or don’t mind cleaning your steering wheel often, suede is your option.
Best Candidate for Leather Steering Wheel – If the steering wheel will get heavy use over time and cleaning the leather wheel is not a priority; leather is your best choice.
FAQ’s
How Long Do Suede Steering Wheels Last?
As a general rule, suede steering wheels last approximately 3000 miles when used without gloves. However, the life of the suede steering wheel increases by at least 60% while wearing suede driving gloves.
