I agree with rdanz that looking at the grain on the surface you can usually tell if its leather or not. The pattern is not the same on every spot in say a 4 inch square. If the pattern repeats itself more likely its MBtex or vinyl with a standard imprinted pattern. Leather has natural pores, very small and hard to see. MBtex has small holes to allow air to circulate if I am not wrong. Smell it and leather has a kind of animal smell whereas MBtex has none or should not have any except a more chemical type. Very good leather is soft and cushiony while MBtex is quite hard or feels too thin. My 2cents worth.