Vegan
How we decideMylo is vegan. Bolt Threads grows Ganoderma tsugae mycelium on corn waste, then harvests and tans the fungal mat into leather-like sheets. Growth takes days, and Stella McCartney, Adidas, and Lululemon have each run limited pieces in it.
- Origin
- Biological — grown from mycelium (the root network of fungi), specifically using Ganoderma tsugae mycelium fed on corn waste.
- Common Uses
- Luxury fashion accessories, bags, shoes.
- Durability
- Comparable to full-grain leather in feel. Long-term durability data still accumulating as commercial scale is recent (2021 onwards).
Environmental Impact
Low Environmental ImpactGrown in days rather than years. Uses agricultural waste as a feedstock. Biodegradable at end of life. Carbon footprint significantly lower than animal leather or PU leather.
Editorial Notes
Developed by Bolt Threads (USA). Used by Stella McCartney, Lululemon, and Adidas in limited collections. Not yet mass-market due to production cost, but considered one of the most promising next-gen alternatives. Fully biodegradable.
In depth
How Mylo is made
Mylo begins with mycelium, the branching, thread-like root structure that fungi use to grow. Cells are placed in a controlled environment and fed on organic material such as agricultural byproducts. Under managed conditions of temperature and humidity, the mycelium grows into a dense, interconnected mat within a matter of days.
Once the mat is thick enough, harvesting begins. The raw material is compressed, treated, and tanned using processes adapted from conventional leather-making, then dyed and finished to achieve the desired color, texture, and surface feel. The result is a flexible sheet material, intended to handle much like animal leather.
That timeline contrasts sharply with raising livestock. Because the input is fungal biomass grown on waste feedstock, producers describe it as a lower-impact route to a leather-like material. Long-term performance data continues to accumulate, since commercial production only began around 2021.
How it compares to other vegan leathers
Mylo sits within a broader category of next-generation leather alternatives, several of which are also plant- or fungi-based. Other mycelium materials include Reishi, made by MycoWorks, and Forager, developed by Ecovative. These share the same underlying idea of growing a hide-like sheet from fungal networks, though each uses different strains and finishing methods.
Plant-derived alternatives take a different path. Piñatex is made from pineapple leaf fiber, Desserto from cactus, and other products use apple pomace, cork, or grape waste from winemaking. Compared with these, mycelium leathers are often marketed for a softer, more supple hand feel that some describe as closer to premium animal leather.
Conventional synthetic leathers, made from polyurethane (PU) or PVC, remain the most widely available animal-free option. They are also far cheaper. However, they are petroleum-derived and generally not biodegradable, a key point of differentiation that biological materials like Mylo are positioned against.
Reading labels and understanding finishes
Mylo is a branded, trademarked material. Products made with it are typically marketed by name or described as "mycelium leather" or "mushroom leather." Because it has appeared mainly in limited, high-profile collections, shoppers are unlikely to encounter it unlabeled. When a brand uses it, they usually highlight it as a selling point.
A useful nuance across the entire next-generation leather category is finishing. Many bio-based leather alternatives are coated or backed with additional layers to improve durability, water resistance, and abrasion performance. These finishes can include synthetic polymers, so a material that is largely bio-based is not automatically fully plant- or fungi-derived from surface to backing.
For anyone tracking biodegradability or recyclability claims, a brand's own material disclosures are the place to look. Terminology such as "bio-based," "plant-based," and "biodegradable" are not interchangeable, and the specific composition can vary between products and production runs.
Commercial status and outlook
Mylo was developed by the U.S. biotechnology company Bolt Threads and drew significant attention when it partnered with a consortium of brands including Stella McCartney, Lululemon, Adidas, and Kering. These collaborations produced showcase items such as bags, garments, and footwear in limited runs, positioning Mylo firmly within the luxury and premium segments.
Scaling a biological material to mass-market volumes has proven difficult and costly across the industry. Mylo has not become widely available in everyday products. Bolt Threads publicly signaled a pause in Mylo production while it sought additional funding. The challenge has affected several next-generation material startups.
Despite these hurdles, mycelium-based leather is still frequently cited as one of the more promising directions for animal-free materials, owing to its feel, its use of waste feedstock, and its potential for lower environmental impact. Its long-term commercial trajectory remains tied to production economics and continued investment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mylo vegan?
Yes. Mylo is grown from mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, and contains no animal-derived inputs. It was created specifically as an animal-free alternative to leather. As with any finished material, the surrounding product may use other components, so checking the full item is still worthwhile.
What is Mylo made of?
Mylo is made from mycelium, the network of fibers that fungi grow. The mycelium is cultivated on organic feedstock, then harvested, processed, tanned, and finished into a flexible, leather-like sheet. No animal hide is involved.
Is mushroom leather the same as real leather?
No. Real leather is made from tanned animal hide, while mushroom leather like Mylo is grown from fungal mycelium. Mylo is designed to feel and perform similarly to animal leather, but it is a distinct, animal-free material. The two are not chemically or structurally identical.
Is Mylo biodegradable?
Mylo is a bio-based material derived from fungi. That supports biodegradability claims made about the core material. However, finishes, coatings, or backings applied for durability can affect how a finished product breaks down. For specifics, the brand's own material disclosures for a given item are the place to look.
Can you still buy Mylo products?
Availability has been very limited. Mylo appeared mainly in showcase collections from partner brands, and its developer, Bolt Threads, publicly paused Mylo production while seeking funding. As a result, it has not been broadly available for everyday purchase.
What is the difference between Mylo and Reishi?
Both are mycelium-based leather alternatives. Different companies make them, using different processes. Mylo was developed by Bolt Threads, while Reishi is made by MycoWorks. They share the same underlying concept of growing a hide-like material from fungi but are separate, independently developed products.