What is the lowest quality leather?

It's hard to simply say which is the lowest quality leather because it depends on different aspects and uses. But generally speaking, some of the really low-grade leathers have quite a few drawbacks.

Bonded leather is often considered to be of relatively low quality. It's made by shredding scraps of genuine leather and then binding them together with adhesives and other materials. The problem with bonded leather is that it doesn't have the strength and durability of whole pieces of real leather. Over time, it can easily peel or fall apart. For example, if it's used in a piece of furniture like a sofa or in a bag, the edges might start to come off after just a short period of use. And when it gets scratched or damaged, it's really hard to repair it to look nice again.

Then there's split leather which is also not as good as higher-quality leathers. Split leather comes from the lower layers of an animal hide after the top grain has been removed. It lacks the natural beauty and texture of top grain or full grain leather. It usually has a more uniform and less appealing look. Also, it's more likely to absorb stains and is not as breathable. When you make shoes or other items out of split leather, your feet or the things inside might feel a bit stuffy because the air can't circulate well. And it doesn't age gracefully like better-quality leathers do. It just tends to look worn out and old in an unappealing way rather quickly.

Some very cheap synthetic leathers that are made with low-quality materials and poor manufacturing processes can also be considered low quality. They might have a plasticky feel and look really fake. They can't withstand much wear and tear at all. Just a little bit of friction or bending can make them crack or lose their shape. They are often used in really inexpensive products where the focus is just on having something that looks like leather but not on its actual quality or how long it will last.

In general, these types of leathers are usually chosen for products where cost is the main concern rather than quality and durability.