Full-grain vs "genuine leather" — what’s the difference?

They sit at opposite ends of the leather quality ladder. Full-grain uses the outermost hide layer with its surface intact — the strongest, longest-lived leather, which patinas over years. "Genuine leather" is a near-meaningless legal term that usually signals a low grade, often corrected-grain: sanded, coated hide that tends to crack and peel as the finish fails rather than age gracefully. Real leather, but cheap. The trap is a mid-price shoe leaning on the word "leather" without naming the grade; when the grade is unstated, assume the lower one and set your durability expectations — and the price you will pay — accordingly.