Synthetic Leather Experiments: A New Chapter?

Today, something a little different is on the bench — the first prototype of a synthetic leather made from recycled memory foam mattresses, developed by a startup called VitriCycle.

They reached out to collaborate and asked if I’d put this new material through its paces. And I said: let’s go.

Over the years, I’ve worked with a bunch of non-animal leather alternatives — and while many of them work fine for garments or soft bags, they don’t hold up for small goods like wallets, sheaths, or toolable projects. Either the hand is too soft, the finish breaks down, or they simply can’t be carved or formed in any meaningful way.

But this prototype? It might be different.

What I’m Testing:

I’ll be running this material through a full gauntlet:

• 🔪 Tooling and carving

• 🧵 Stitching and edge finishing

• 💪 Strength and stretch resistance

• ☀️ UV, heat, and chemical reaction

• 🧲 Adhesion and bonding

• 🧼 Surface wear and scuff testing

• 🔥 Burn/heat resilience for sealing or shaping

  
  

All of this will be filmed and shared — good, bad, or weird.

Why This Matters

This is the first time a company has approached me for a true collaboration — and I want to do right by them, and by the craft. That means being honest, thorough, and open to the possibilities.

I'm hopeful… and skeptical… and excited.

See, leather has always been one of the earliest forms of upcycling. It’s about turning a byproduct into something beautiful and lasting. And as a species, we waste so much. If there’s a way to turn discarded material into ultra-high-quality goods, we owe it to ourselves — and the planet — to explore it.

Curious to see how this new material holds up?Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing every part of the process as we go. Videos will start being posted Monday Morning.

Follow along on my YouTube Page: Legacy Leather Co

Let’s make something new.