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The short answer: turn it over. Genuine sheepskin is a tanned hide, so the back is leather or suede and the wool grows straight out of it. Fake sheepskin is synthetic pile stitched or bonded onto a woven fabric backing. Then part the wool, press it, and read the label: real wool is slightly uneven, springs back at once and is described as genuine sheepskin or lambskin.
Faux sheepskin is often photographed to look identical to the real thing, and many listings use loose words like "shearling" or "sheepskin-look". These checks work for rugs, slippers, boots and car seat covers, in a shop or at home when a parcel arrives.
In this guide
- 7 ways to tell real sheepskin from fake
- Real vs fake sheepskin at a glance
- Words to look for on the label
- Checks for rugs, footwear and car seat covers
- Why the difference matters
- Frequently asked questions
7 ways to tell real sheepskin from fake
1. Check the backing
This is the most reliable test. Turn a rug or seat cover over: genuine sheepskin shows tanned leather or suede, because it's the animal's hide. Faux sheepskin shows woven or knitted fabric, sometimes a mesh, because the pile has been made separately and attached to it.
2. Part the wool
Push the wool apart with your fingers until you can see the base. On real sheepskin, the fibres grow directly out of the leather. On fake sheepskin, you'll see neat rows of stitches or a fabric grid. On slippers and boots, do this inside the cuff.
3. Look closely at the fibres
Real wool is irregular. Fibres vary a little in length and thickness, have a natural crimp, and can change colour slightly towards the tips. Synthetic pile is manufactured to be uniform, so it tends to look too even, with every fibre the same length and colour, and often a slight plastic sheen.
4. Press it
Press your thumb into the wool and let go. Genuine sheepskin springs back almost immediately. Synthetic pile stays flattened for a moment, and over months of use it packs down and stays down.
5. Check the edges and seams
A natural-shape sheepskin rug has an irregular outline, because it follows the shape of the pelt, and a cut edge shows leather. On genuine twin-face slippers and boots, the suede outside and the wool inside are the same piece, so at the cuff you'll see one continuous piece folding over. Fakes often have a separate fluffy trim sewn on, or a visible join where a fabric lining meets the outer.
6. Read the label and listing
Look for the material, not the marketing. "Genuine sheepskin", "twin-face sheepskin" and "lambskin" describe the real thing. A fibre content of polyester or acrylic, or words like "faux", "sherpa" or "plush", describe a synthetic. More on this below.
7. Treat the price as a signal
A whole sheepskin has to be selected, tanned and finished, so it costs more to make than a roll of synthetic pile. A "sheepskin" product at a synthetic price deserves a closer look at the description before you buy. A seller who states the backing material and country of origin is usually describing the real thing.
Real vs fake sheepskin at a glance
A tip we don't recommend: the burn test. Burning a few fibres can show whether they're wool or plastic, but it damages the product and isn't safe to do at home. The checks above are enough.
Words to look for on the label
- Genuine sheepskin, lambskin, twin-face or double-face sheepskin: the real hide with the wool attached.
- Shearling: traditionally, sheepskin with the wool clipped short. Many sellers now use it for synthetics too, so check for a leather backing or a wool fibre content.
- Wool-lined or sheepskin-lined: usually a separate wool or sheepskin lining inside another material, not twin-face sheepskin.
- Sheepskin insole: only the footbed is sheepskin.
- Faux, sherpa, plush, fleece, teddy, vegan shearling: synthetic, usually polyester or acrylic.
For the different kinds of genuine sheepskin and what each is used for, see our sheepskin types guide and our sheepskin glossary.
Checks for rugs, footwear and car seat covers
Sheepskin rugs
Turn the rug over: you should see the leather back of the pelt, with a natural, slightly irregular outline. Larger rugs made from several pelts have visible joins on the back where the skins are sewn together. A faux rug has a fabric back and a perfectly regular shape. Our guide to sheepskin rugs covers sizes, shapes and wool types.
Slippers and boots
Genuine twin-face footwear is one hide: suede outside, wool inside. Part the wool inside the cuff to find the leather, and look for one continuous piece where the cuff folds over. Lookalikes often use a synthetic lining glued to a thin outer, with a separate fluffy trim at the top. See our sheepskin slippers guide and sheepskin boots buying guide.
Car seat covers
Check the listing for the backing material, and look for photos of the underside, not just the fluffy side. "Faux sheepskin", "sherpa" or "plush fur" covers are synthetic, however they look in photos. Our car seat cover buyer's guide explains fit and wool length.
Baby lambskins
For a baby, look for a genuine lambskin made for infant use, tanned so it can be washed, with no loose wool. See our baby sheepskin buying guide, and for sleep, our guide to safe use in the nursery.
Why the difference matters
- Breathability: wool absorbs and releases moisture vapour, so it stays warm without feeling clammy. Synthetic pile tends to trap heat and moisture against the skin.
- Durability: wool fibres have natural spring, so a well-made sheepskin holds its loft for years. Synthetic pile flattens and mats with use.
- What it's made of: faux sheepskin is plastic, and like other synthetic textiles it can shed microfibres as it wears and is washed. Genuine sheepskin is a natural material and a by-product of the meat industry.
- Care: faux sheepskin is easier to throw in the washing machine. Genuine sheepskin needs gentler care; see our sheepskin care guide.
For a wider comparison of natural and synthetic materials, see our guide to natural vs synthetic materials.
Why buy from Kiwi Sheepskins
We're a family-owned sheepskin specialist based in Auckland, New Zealand, and have been since 2002. We describe exactly what each product is made from, our footwear, rugs and car seat covers are made in New Zealand, and every product is backed by our 12-month guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if sheepskin is real?
Look at the backing. Genuine sheepskin is a tanned hide, so the back is leather or suede, and when you part the wool you'll see the fibres growing out of that leather. Fake sheepskin has a woven or knitted fabric backing, and the fibres are stitched or bonded into it.
Is shearling the same as sheepskin?
Genuine shearling is sheepskin with the wool clipped to an even length. But many listings use "shearling", "sherpa" or "faux shearling" for synthetic polyester pile, so check the material description before you buy.
Is faux sheepskin worth buying?
It costs less and can be machine washed, but it doesn't breathe like wool, it flattens faster and it's made from plastic fibres. If you want warmth without clamminess and a piece that lasts for years, genuine sheepskin is the better buy.
Does real sheepskin shed?
A new sheepskin can lose a few loose fibres at first, especially long wool rugs, and a light brush helps. It shouldn't keep shedding with normal use. Synthetic pile tends to pill and shed fibres throughout its life.
Is sheepskin real fur?
Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep or lamb with the wool still attached, so it is an animal product. The sheepskins we use are a by-product of the meat industry, not raised for their skins.
How do I check sheepskin when buying online?
Read the material description, not just the photos. Look for genuine sheepskin or lambskin with a leather or suede backing and a stated country of origin, and be wary of a "sheepskin" price that seems too low.
Looking for the real thing? Browse our genuine New Zealand sheepskin rugs and sheepskin slippers.
