Mushroom Leather (Mycelium)
Sheet material grown from fungal mycelium, finished into a leather-like hide.
What it is
Mycelium — the root network of fungi — is grown on agricultural substrate in trays, harvested as a mat, then tanned and finished. Mylo, Reishi and MuSkin are the best-known versions.
Why it matters
It is animal-free and grows in weeks on waste substrate rather than years of cattle grazing. The catch is finishing: most commercial mycelium leather is coated in PU for durability, so it is not fully bio-based.
Upsides
- Grows in 1–2 weeks on agricultural waste
- No livestock, no chrome tanning
- Very low land and water footprint
- Can be produced close to where it is used
Trade-offs
- Usually PU-coated, so not plastic-free or compostable
- Limited availability and premium pricing
- Long-term durability data is still thin
What to look for on the label
The named platform (Mylo, Reishi), the bio-based percentage, and whether the coating is water-based PU or bio-resin.
Better or comparable alternatives
Frequently asked
Is mushroom leather compostable?+
The mycelium mat is, but the PU topcoat on most commercial versions is not. Only uncoated products like MuSkin compost meaningfully.
Does it hold up like leather?+
Current generations handle bags and footwear uppers well but are less abrasion-resistant than full-grain leather. Treat it as a premium alternative, not a lifetime one.