Leather Soles vs Rubber Soles (8 Reasons I Prefer Leather)
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- Full article: stridewise.com/pros-cons-leat...
My current favorite leather soled boots: www.grantstoneshoes.com/produ...
Leather soles are unfairly demonized by boot shoppers and reviewers, including myself from several years ago, and I thought it was time to set the record straight. These days, if I have an option, I always opt for leather soles. They really aren't that slippery, they breathe well, and there are many more reasons why it's the favorite for boot purists and traditionalists.
00:00 Intro
02:03 Cons: Leather Soles are Ugly
03:22 Cons: Leather Soles Aren't As Durable
04:04 Cons: Leather Soles Are Slippery
06:23 Pros: Leather Soles Are Comfortable
06:14 Pros: Leather Soles Are Flexible
07:34 Pros: Leather Soles Are Breathable
08:49 Pros: Leather Soles Sound Great
08:55 Pros: Leather Soles Are Antimicrobial
09:02 Pros: Leather Soles Are Better for Dancing
09:30 Pros: Leather Soles Are Cheaper
09:51 Pros: Leather Soles Don't Carry Mud
10:28 Why Leather Soles Are Better - Jak na to + styl
The slipperiness of leather soles shoes is a real concern especially on tiled surfaces (which tends to be most offices ). Even on my well worn in dress shoes the leather soles will still occasionally slip
Tiles and carpets are brutal. I once slipped on a carpet and banged my head on some office furniture. Leather sole, never again.
Yeah, I have to avoid wearing my leather soled boots a lot because I ride a bicycle and that slickness when putting my foot down isn't where it's at.
Can testify, I now only wear rubber outsoles on my boots. Went out on a rainy day with cordovan shoes with leather soles, slipped right away once I stepped onto metal gratings and fell on my back, which would have never happened with rubber outsoles. Not heavy rain mind you, just casual rain that could have happened at any moment during March or April.
I love my leather and it's my preferred but some times I've saved myself from a fall by having a rubber heel act as immediate stop when I'm about to slide. Why I will never get some vintage florshiems with suicide heels.
Yuuup. This is my big problem with them. I traveled to Spain in 2015 and Spain, like many western European countries, has a lot of very large plazas that are fully tiled in smooth, polished marble, and I brought my Luchese cowboy boots with me (we from Texas y'all), and after the experience of trying (I emphasize "trying" here) to walk on marble in those damned boots, I said "never again" to leather soles. On dry marble it's tricky, on *wet* marble (like after it's rained), you have to exert substantial effort and attention with each step in order to not fall and break your goddamned neck! NEVER AGAIN, NO LEATHER SOLES.
Every single time it rains, I feel like I'm walking on ice. I've never once worn my rubber soled shoes and thought, gosh I wish I had more grip while in leather soles, it happens quite regularly. For that, my preference will always be rubber.
The day 1 grip is still important. My grandad broke his wrist slipping on the stairs in new leather soled shoes!
Skill issue
The grip is entirely dependent on the surface you're walking on. I cannot wear a leather sole to work (believe me, I tried) because they have zero grip on polished concrete floors. It's like trying to walk on ice. I ended up having to put rubber sole protectors on all my leather soled shoes and boots.
I agree. I live in a wet climate, and many of the sidewalks between my office and the rail station are made of slate or marble. Even a smooth rubber sole becomes dangerous when it's wet. I want Dainite or something else less treacherous. Polished concrete (especially when wet) is similar, as are most tile floors.
This. Since I like to wear my boots everywhere, I've ended up getting rubber half soles put on just so I don't slip around on slick floors.
Leather soles are great in a dry environment with good traction. Try wearing them in Sout East Asia during the Monsoon:).
😂 had to put a piece of rubber band on each shoes until I bought new shoes
Depends heavily on location. I live in Boston. Its rainy or snowy more than half the year. If I was in LA, yea id prolly go for leather soles all the time.
Leather soles are slippery. I prefer the look of leather but have nearly fallen down multiple times walking to work when it rains stepping on metal or tile parts of the sidewalk. While you are right that they aren't slippery on dry pavement...no shoes are slippery on dry pavement.
Rubber Soul, on the other hand, is one of the Beatles' finest albums
Bravo sir. Bravo.
I think you're right about the grip with the leather sole except for in cases of rain. Rain is the one thing that makes leather soles hard. Wet leather soles on smooth asphalt, tile, anything but concrete and you're slipping.
Always good to see people corroborating this subject as their experience grows, and thanks for the shoutout Nick!! Great video!
Can't wait for the new batch of videos renewing your old boot reviews. Looking forward to your looking at them with refreshed eyes!
After going my whole life without any leather soled shoes I recently bought a new pair of grant stones and a pair of jay butler loafers. Haven't worn the loafers yet but the GS's were good to go after a couple days. Also by far the most comfortable and nicest boot I've ever worn.
It’s completely valid to think you need a 360 double braided Norwegian constructed boot with commando soles for when walking from the parking garage to the office, if it rains I mean come on, it’s a necessity! 😅😅
Bro, you have NO idea how crazy the black ice patches can get in that parking garage.
Yay! Welcome to the leather-sole-loving club! I love how well my leather-soled 1000 Mile boots perform in all types of weather, especially where mud is involved. They are amazingly tough, they hold up to all sorts of gardening work including digging with a spade and walking over rocks. It's also worth pointing out that keeping your leather soles conditioned the same way you would the uppers will contribute to their longevity. Thanks for this video and updated outlook!
Does water get into them more easily?
@@williamfloyd4669 No issues with water intrusion - keeping the leather conditioned prevents this, my feet stay dry even in slush.
@@VirginiaLLewisAuthor wouldn’t rubber work even better for your scenario?
@@kart182 Watch Nick's video - leather breathes, it moves with your feet, it's more comfortable, more flexible, and more ergonomic!
@@VirginiaLLewisAuthor yes I watched the video. However, if your condition it thoroughly enough? It’s not going to breathe anymore is it? But I do agree they’re more flexible and comfortable 100%
Happy 5th anniversary Nick. Great video, eliminated some misconceptions about soles.
I had cowboy boots as a little kid, and I loved how consistent they were. A bit of slide everywhere, but never too grippy or too slippy. My diesel boots, however, have way too soft a sole, it picks up rocks, twigs and other flotsam and make horrible noises as these things crunch underneath. The grip\slide is also not consistent at all. I more often find myself reaching for my Oak St Fields instead with their vibram cork.
Good video as usual! Also nice to see Oakstreet represented! I have two pairs from them and think they're pretty great.
This is why I wear both rubber & leather soled shoes & boots. I live in the countryside in a wet climate so I rely on rubber soles pretty often but if I'm in town or it's not too wet I just go with leather
I think you should be able to enjoy both leather and rubber. For me leather sole is almost like a tradition, when I wear a leather sole the sound makes me remember when I was a kid walking with my father and grandfather
Leather soles are more formal, I love them but in the winter, in heavy rain or snow I wear casual winter boots.
Great video Nick. I've given you some stick about rubber soles over the years so glad to see you soften your stance on leather soles.
Shoulda put “being able to strike a match on a worn leather sole” in the pro section.
I think the grip is a legitimate complaint for when you're caught in the rain. I've found myself far less stable on leather soled boots when it's raining (when also there's reason to hurry)
I wore leather-soled shoes to an orthodontist appointment when I was 10 years old. I wiped out walking down an incline in the parking lot. After decades of therapy, I still refuse to wear leather-soled shoes or boots.
Such a baby😂
I agree with your findings. It is the same reason people think they "need" a 4x4 car. 99.9% of them don't.
THANK YOU, you get it
Nick forgot to mention that leather soles degrade quickly when walking on wet streets. Water softens the leather and then the hard rough surface wears them down quickly.
Just saying 🤷🏻♂️
This. This is the MOST important factor in comparing the two, IMhO. IF you have multiple pairs of boots and can rotate, leather can be a great option. But if you only have one pair of go-to boots you wear all the time, I think a rubber sole is highly preferable.
I wore through Thursdays Danite sole like this.... wet concrete kitchen and I had to resole in 3 months 😮
Gr8 videos as always. It takes a lot to set foot on this rocky path of shoe knowledge . Im a men's stylist and have been studying on this quality shoe journey for years. Leather sole welted shoes are simply superior in quality and are the mark of quality shoes. This is the codified gold standard for the finest shoes,the world over. Thank you for your great videos
Hell of a comment, thanks David!
There are plenty of cheap leather soled shoes, and plenty of very high quality leather soled shoes with a rubber overlay for usability. The reason the most traditional design is seen as the peak of style is because it shows the wearer doesn't need to work or walk much, same as a three piece suit being worn in an office in the modern day shows you have the time and money to maintain it rather than work.
@@vtxgenie1 good points. Exactly.rubber soles have a function. Use the right shoe required for the job.
also, see "grounding" earthing articles, .we have a connection to the earth. The earth surface has a negative charge , while our bodies have a positive charge. Grounding helps the body heal from inflammation. Rubber soles are good for some things, specific jobs, gym workout etc.. Read more on grounding/ earthing.
some keys are welt construction and build quality. Im a stylist and have been studying fine shoes for several years. We been conditioned to gravitate towards rubber soles. I think the best argument is dancing... dancing requires a great test of stability and motion. etc... Ask James Brown , Michael Jackson etc...
No leather for me - ever. Many of the comments here cover why, but also comfort if you choose the right rubber.
I am definitely in the rubber camp here.
I am a complete sucker for tradition, but leather soles are an objective no no for me.
I had a pair of traditional brogue boots made in Northampton, England with leather soles - so not cheap. But on the first wear the soles had already worn down about halfway. This was after a 20 minute walk. So after 40 minutes they would have worn down to the midsoles. I fitted a rubber half sole to prevent them from being totally trashed. Needless to say I hardly wore them since.
On the other hand I have had rubber Vibram/Biltrite soles last me for almost 10 years.
Leather soles should just be reserved for traditional occasions like a tailcoat event, a rodeo, a charreira, etc. Very impractical not just bec of the slipping issue but also bec they simply don't last long. Resoling footwear will also shorten it's lifespan as new stitch holes were added on the upper or the welt. No good for leather uppers that can last a lifetime like certain exotics.
No.
They are great but been cautious for leather sole while driving, it can been slippery.
Great topic! I just spent all day at Disneyland in all leather Carminas, I find that construction to be really comfortable for all day city walking situations. They just have a nice amount of cushion and also provide a little “road feel.”
Leather sole?
I have both leather and rubber soles. I actually find rubber more comfortable. I have a few pairs of John Lobb boots in leather, but resoled with Danite. I actually think the rubber is more comfortable after a long day in them.
Great video Nick. I always wondered why leather soles get a bad rap. I find them not to be slippery once scuffed. To be a bit more specific, dainite’s in a restaurant with any grease on the floor are like ice skates. Oakbark tanned leather soles like JR Rendenbach or Baker require longer to become scuffed and grippy, and will wear like iron even when wet, because they do not absorb water. So maybe it depends to some extent on the leather type. Leather soles also give a feel for the floor, hard to explain, for example you can feel whether you’re on a carpet or wood floor thru the shoe. Also rubber is an over generalization, dainite or christie or something else? Nice video.
I am really suspicious about the breathability about leather outsole. Each sole layer is heavily glued together. I doubt how much the water molecule will pass the glue layers to most outside sole to evaporate ultimately. I think the leather outsole is mostly the aesthetic thing and the cultural concept thing.
Leather soles are not great in wet climate of the UK (I find they wear out quickly and let water through) or when it’s cold! Although, like all things, the quality is variable and a thick decent leather may make a difference. Furthermore it has only just occurred to me that perhaps the sole needs cleaning a treating to last longer / remain waterproof - I haven’t seen anything about this though…
I’ve noticed that when walking grittier surfaces sometimes tiny pebbles get stuck in the little dents of leather soles (this takes a while to reach this state). It’s very noticeable and uncomfortable while walking. Luckily they’re easy to remove.
I’ve had issues slipping and falling here here in Chicago during the winter months so leather sole boots never were practical for me. I’m moving to Florida later this year, so will have to reconsider leather soles since inclement weather won’t be a factor for me anymore.
Keep in mind that Florida has a rainy season from May-October. I wear both types of soles here all year long, and while I do have to be more careful on smooth surfaces in my leather-soled shoes when it's rainy, I've found that even my rubber-soled boots can be dangerous on slick surfaces. Just a few months ago I nearly lost my footing as I was walking on a polished concrete floor that had become quite slippery in warm, humid conditions. It definitely depends on the situation.
@@JohnPaulHare Good points. I still have to be very careful with rubber soles in the ice and snow and they don't prevent slips and falls. Suppose it's more of a mental thing for me as I just feel more stable with rubber soles. I'm going to work remotely when I get to Florida, so that factored with the climate will likely have me getting rid of some of my 25+ pairs of boots. Most are rubber soled, so will not get as much use out of them. I love wearing boots, so will get a pair or two of leather sole boots to try out to see how I like them. Be safe out there friend and thank you for the advice.
I like the leather sole's aging process. It's like a painting, you see the history it has brought with you 😊
i should have spent more time confirming that they're worse in wet weather, but otherwise I like this video
@@Stridewise i think the notion of slippery leather soles didn't slip in the video 😉😄
I’m a huge fan of Allen Edmunds. They have an amazing variety of shoes, boots, leather and dainte. I’m addicted to polishing and brushing them
I think you missed the biggest drawback with a leather sole.
Rain and water affects leather soles a lot more than rubber soles.
Too much rain here in Denmark for leather soles to be preferable, unless you strictly use them indoors.
Very nice video. The only point you made that I do not agree with is grip. Particularly on wet surfaces. That aside, you hit the nail on the head sir!
This is so true. This brings back a memory of something that happened to me many, many years ago.
One day, I decided to shop a great, popular, mom-and-pop, kitchen-related supplies store, been around for years and years, located on a main street in a neighboring city. I had been in the store a number of times previously.
That day I decided to wear a pair of lace-up, casual style, blue suede shoes I hadn’t worn in years; I specifically bought the shoes for an outfit I wore for a big party, a baby shower, I had attended years before.
Well, I was walking around in the store, enjoying my time there as usual, when I started noticing some “dirt” on the floor. I was surprised to see it, as the floors were usually very clean. To my horror and utter embarrassment, I realized the “dirt” I saw on the floor was actually the material comprising the soles of my shoes!!! My soles were disintegrating as I walked around!!! What?!!! Oh no!!! Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I was so embarrassed. One of the employees who saw the “dirt” was super upset about it. My memory is I stepped outside the store very quickly and took off my shoes. I am sure I apologized. And I am sure I made a purchase.
Wow, I hadn’t thought about that experience, I can’t remember the last time I thought about that experience.
I never thought about taking my shoes to a shoe repair business to have new soles made. I threw the shoes out. If the situation were to happen to me today, I believe I would take the shoes to a shoe repair shop, having watched this CZcams Channel’s videos.
the rubber soles from Paraboot are literraly indestructible, grip is great as well.
On the Wolverine 1000 mile boots, the reason the rubber is more expensive is because it is the exact same boot with a leather sole, then rubber is placed on top of that. (I think in most boots, if the leather is replaced with rubber, they end up being cheaper) I've got both in the Wolverine. The leather soles are more comfortable, flexible and breathable. The rubber is nice to have if it's wet out.
I’m HIGHLY dubious about leather soles being breathable. What I think is happening is that the thermal conductivity of leather is better than rubber so heat comes out of your feet and is dissipated easier. I don’t think this would make a noticeable difference, though. And if you’re standing on really hot asphalt then you should feel hotter… I won’t believe anything either way unless someone does a test with a pair of boots, one resoled with a rubber sole, and can accurately measure sweat evaporation and thermal retention inside the boots
Despite living in a a very wet climate, I started using leather soled shoes for commuting on public transport and working in an office environment in the late 1980s. So I like leather soles. I had a number of leather soled shoes in rotation and due to them softening and wearing quickly in wet weather I usually needed two re-soles per year across all my shoes.
Decades later, when I switched to using Dainite soles for half the time, my Dainite soles lasted several years. Plus I spent much less time with wet feet.
Leather soles are much less slippery if you have all rubber heels rather than a quarter tip.
For casual use I happily use Dainite for walking the dog across wet grassy slopes or easy wet and muddy paths in the park or similar environments but would hesitate to wear leather soles in those conditions which are now reserved for dry pavement walking.
For off road walking proper lugged soles are essential
I have a couple of (double) leather soled boots because I like them but they're not really that practical and I have many more Dainite and lugged sole boots
Do your feet get wet when walking in wet weather with leather or dose the bottom just get soft
That's a lot of resoles. New holes on the upper once you worn out the welt. I personally don't like having mine resoled bec of that. Specially on my stingrays and sharkskin bec the upper will last a lifetime and then some given they aren't filled with new stitch holes. That's my mistake too, having durable exotic leather boots made with a leather sole while I live in a snowy and rainy place.
@@ryanburdette8531 It depends... If the sole is well worn it is more likely to get wet. Especially if it has already been soaked a number of times already. It also depends on how much rain and for how long the shoes are exposed to the water. Relatively new soles will be fine if the pavements are just a little bit wet but if it is pouring down with water running along the ground then it won't take long for your feet to get wet. Often this will be through the welt/upper as dress shoes are fairly low profile and water will splash above the sole level. Boots and sturdy brogues will be a lot better and double leather soles are much better though I've only owned them since switching to dainite so haven't used them in the worst conditions.
I kept buying rubber soled boots thinking they should be more comfortable. After hundreds of dollars on many different cushy I sole pairs of boots I went back to plain ropers with leather soles. Bam, comfort returns. Even on pavement a good leather sole boot beats a cushy rubber sole. Especially a roper with the lower heel.
I used to wear dress shoes for work. Major issues with leather resoling in terms of durability and grip. I had to resole way too often! Still have yet to resole a 'heritage' boot. Would it have been low quality leather for the resole?
I used to go with Dainite by default until I fell over! Grip is better with leather and they don’t make my feet ache.
I agree with you 100%... BUT... I actually prefer a good pair of Vibram soles... or better yet.. Dr. Sole half soles (or rubber carefully adhered to leather outsoles) over pure leather outsoles. Get the benefits of both. But yeah. Dainite is MASSIVELY overrated. It wants to look formal and be more grippy than leather... and if fails miserably at both endeavors if you ask me.
Glad to hear you've come around. Leather soles are worth even the issues of grip for the comfort. Like all things, it's a trade-off.
I can’t say I’ve noticed a large difference in comfort between leather soles vs rubber however I only have experience with Danite and of course we all have different standards for comfort. The comfort and flexibility benefits of leather soles seem to be something that is theoretical and I can’t say from my experience makes a meaningful difference in typical use
Greetings Nick. Here in Mexico, even though i would like having leather soles in a few ones (My dress shoes?) i have to say that unfortunately i couldn't afford to wear them properly where i live on a daily basis or such. I live in an enviroment with a lot of rocks (I live in front of a hill and i usually climb the ones around several times a week) and while a leather outsole would be easier to clean (Everyone who has gotten dogcrap in Vibrams will know!) i have to say that i choose rubber Vibrams because of the heavy feel they bring, the slightly higher profile they have, on antimicrobial properties and breathability i really don't care much since i clean my boots usually, i have an insole which i can take out and clean separately, i put talcum on them and when the interior gets wet or humid i let them out to dry in the sun (That's actually quite important with leather jackets as well, hanging them inside out a couple hours per each side on the sun once a week is great) that besides the fact that it's cold as hell where i live. That besides being easier to grip on any surface and walking in the rain better. I now have a pair of dress shoes (Brogues, i do love them but they almost broke my ankle a few days ago) which need resoling and i still need to decide if to put rubber soles to them (I think it would be better) or leather ones, which i haven't ever tried... My boots are both the same model (510 by El Arco boots here in Mexico, great workboot company, and each pair costs like 20 bucks new) and both have a Vibram heavy lug sole, they're just a different age and different color. i have a straight out black pair and a nice burgundy one which comes to life when greased)
Cheers lml
I'm a fan of the look, but tbh while the grip might be okay on the street, even in my most well-worn leather soles I've nearly slipped in a store or coffee shop too many times to risk it again
Rubber is far more waterproof. Particularly a commando where the main part of the sole is raised a few mm off the ground. Walking around all day in the rain with a leather sole, your feet will likely get damp, and the sole may take a day or two to dry out
My original issue boots were leather. They were great on the parade ground but we froze in the winter and the heat came through the pavement when standing for long periods. Veeeebram (as pronounced apparently) was a huge improvement.
I have a few heels from Italy and I should say that I prefer the leather soles. I find beauty in the scruffs of my heels, I think it tells so much story about it hehe
Great video. I've been a big proponent of rubber soles but was interested in your take, especially as someone who switched sides. I agree with your list of pros/cons. But I think for me the rubber still generally win out due to 1) durability and 2) traction. Rubber is going to last MUCH longer than leather. Maybe twice or more as long, I would say, depending on how hard the rubber is. That means that you're going to be resoling your leather soled shoes twice or more as often, and that ain't cheap and it ultimately wears out the welt and other parts faster as a result of all of those re-soles. Regarding traction, I once went to a Mexican restaurant that has a tile floor in my leather-soled shoes. I kid you not, it was like walking on ice. And these shoes had worn soles and weren't brand new. It was a legitimate safety hazard. Even smooth concrete can be slick if its damp.
One aspect I think you might have missed is how poorly leather soles perform in wet weather. Leather soles absorb water and mud. They are going to be even more slippery and wear even faster when wet. The moisture can easily absorb into the shoe. Rubber soles are far superior to leather in inclement weather.
What I prefer is to cement rubber toppers on my leather soled shoes. You retain most of the benefits of the leather but add durability, traction, and a waterproof layer between the sole and the ground. If you cement the toppers on (instead of stitching them on) they can be changed out without even having to re-stitch along the welt. They give you even more longevity and cost savings than full rubber soles.
I've got some 1000miles headed my way this very minute. Perfect timing
I live in Europe, for many years I use leather sole + rubber pad for the classic design and also more formal.
But my job need to be stand up all along the day, and now I use rubber sole.
It's more comfortable and no more extra to pay for adding rubber pad, so for me it's cheaper than leather at the end.
I live in Ireland which is damp and rainy for most of the year. How good are leather soles with that sort of climate? I am more concerned about wet feet than slipping to be honest... although I am clumsy, so maybe I should be more worried.
I think it depends on the situation.
If you live in a snowy, icy or rainy environment, rubber sole boots are better.
If it is dry or some light rain, then I prefer leather sole boots for the reasons you mention.
I don't find leather soles slippery on tiles or other surfaces that some people mention.
I think it depends on the quality of leather soles, I think there poor quality leather soles out there.
Love the video!
So many comments saying leather soles are bad... I have both, and both have their purposes. Leather is traditional, and it tends to look a little more sleek than a rubber-soled shoe of the same style. Rubber is typically more slip-resistant (but seriously, just take it easy if it's wet, neither sole material is 100% slip-proof), and it does generally last longer than leather. Given the choice, though, I usually reach for my leather-soled options for a dressier occasion (unless I'm working). They feel great, and a good shoe can say a lot about a man's character.
As someone who lives in an unpredictably damp country that also sometimes has issues with ice, I will respectfully disagree a little bit. Much as I really like the refined appearance of leather soles (and the sound they make on hard floors), even ones where I have a rubber topy that the manufacturer set in properly, even I've found that to be slippery at times on wet paving
Tile floors, metal or hard rubber/plastic strips on stair step edges, unexpected rain, snow, and damp grass, are all common where I live and make leather soles too treacherous to use regularly. In my experience Dainite soles are fine on soft surfaces, but on hard surfaces are at least as slippery as leather. I avoid them. Sole protectors and similar thin rubber soles fare better than leather on smooth dry surfaces, but are only marginally grippier than leather on smooth wet surfaces. This is my preference for dress shoes and boots. Full on lug soles, or crepe rubber for chukkas, are my preference for casual boots. Even otherwise dressy boots that I plan to wear casually.
In the winter, leather is a no go for obvious reasons. Also in the summer if it ever rains where you live. Not only do you slip, but your feet will often get wet if the soles have any wear to them. There is just no reason to ever have anything but a rubber sole on your footwear for street use.
Tell it all, brother, tell it all.
I am going to have to respectfully disagree. Anybody that has ever walked into a public/workplace bathroom knows why. I cringe at the thought of having my leather soles soaking up with piss
HA i had not thought of that
Owner of 2 pairs of leather sole Craftsman’s and the only thing that’s stopped me from landing on my arse while walking around Perth and Melbourne has been the fact they have a rubber heel. Trying to put the brakes on wearing leather soles when someone stops right in front of you is risky business.
I wear boots in winter.
I wear them in winter, when i need to go outside.
In my country there is wet snow mixed with salt covering every sidewalk in winter.
For me boots with leather soles just dont make any sense
Elegant Leather Shoes #kingsfootwear
Well, I live in California, and mostly work in an office. There's quite a difference in my leather soled 1000 Mile boots vs the Vibram 430 mini lugs on my Red Wing Blacksmith boots. The Blacksmith's seem much heavier than the 1000 milers. Don't think Nick commented on that difference. I also agree that the leather soles feel better (more comfortable) underfoot than the Vibrams. So.. less heavy and more comfortable I'd say for the leather soles. I haven't had any real issues with sliding around either.
One major problem that I have with leather soles is that they get waterlogged fast if your in the rain. They get torn up bad when wet. A good compromise is to put a toppy on the leather sole
Leather soles are just classic. They aren't the most practical but neither is spending $700+ on boots to walk around Atlanta. Throw in the fact that said shoes are a pain to break in and practicality gets pitched out the window. But they sure are great!
Never heard anyone complain about anything on a leather sole other than the grip, Especially not the look of worn leather soles. From my experience, a leather sole is viewed as a marker of a high quality shoe. Interesting video on an argument that I didn’t know existed
Do you have any videos about which pants looks nicer with boots? I mostly wear levis 501 and I wonder how they would look on boots.
If you have an upper that can last multiple generations (like stingray or sharkskin or even shell cordovan), then best to go full rubber sole including a rubber welt. You cannot resole shoes indefinitely as new stitch holes will be added to the upper until it falls apart. Even with Goodyear welt, you will eventually wear down your welt.
Leather soles simply don't last long and will need more resoles, making the overall cost of the shoes more expensive and shortens the lifespan of something that could have laster long enough to be a heirloom. It's ok on cowhides but then remember that it need more resoles and can be pricier in the long run.
I live in Oregon, where it rains most of the year (glorious summers, though..). Although I enjoy leather soles in dry weather, they absorb water when walking on wet pavement and need to dry before wearing again.
Precisely. If you own multiple different boots and like to rotate, there is no issue with leather in wet weather. But if you mostly rely on one or two pairs of boots for the rainier months, a pure leather sole with no rubber at all isn't the most practical option. I wish more people would comment on this.
I like leather soles for most situations! But for hiking or hunting I agree non-leather soles make more sense!
Leather Soles: If its cold and wet, you will feel it! the soles get soaked its cold.
Leather soles have been in use for thousands of years. There is no deny that compared to modern day rubber soles, it is lacking in grip. That was why military boots have metal studs in the old days. Looking back to historical times, leather soles never stopped the conquest of soldiers marching thousands of miles as shown by the Roman army as well as Alexander the Great.
I personally favor the Dr. Sole half-sole. I think it offers the perfect balance between the grip and weather resistance of the Vibrams (which I quite appreciate) with the comfort and breathability of a leather sole. Also, I know this comment is a year late, but "Mr. Sole"??!! How dare you take away the brilliant Taiwanese shoemaker's PhD in Sole-ology?! But seriously... they make some fantastic and highly underrated outsoles IMhO, and I have no brand affiliation or sponsorship. Just a fan of a well-made product.
I've only tried leather soles in a store, on carpet. So I thought they looked neat (ofcourse) but they were far too slippery. I walk on tile probably 75% of my time so I don't think it'd be smart for me to buy leather soles. But hey I'd love to buy some boots with leather soles one day. Even maybe just for special occasions. I have cowboy boots with leather insoles which are amazing. So I wanna try leather outsoles too
Leather outsoles are made to walk on soft carpet while rubber soles on made for outdoors. I prefer the leatther because it's more stylish and more of a gentlemen's shoe over rubber.
Great video, I didn’t realize there were advantages to leather soles. Of course, all it takes is one bad fall, and you’ll never wear leather soled shoes again.
I prefer rubber soles over leather soles. Just bought TLB chelsea boots with rubber soles, Johnston & Murphy Moc toe boots with rubber soles and
Salvatore Ferragamo with rubber soles.
I’ve stayed away from leather soles for several reasons:
They are too slippery on tile or polished floors.
They tend to permeate water very easily
They are uncomfortable when you walk over small pebbles.
I usually stick a wool felt circle on my leather sole (like anti slip for chair)
As much as I love leather and tradition, my shoes have to be usable in quite a lot of contexts. I already have to watch for my outfit that can be more precious than what people usually wear (so I have to pay extra attention not to get stains, not to tear the fabric on a sharp wooden edge, etc). So I cannot really afford to introduce many other constraints in my life because I choose the wrong shoes in the morning and didn't know it would rain for example. There are too many situations, even in the city, in which walking with leather soles require so much extra care not to slip that the walk is no longer enjoyable for me.
First time i tried a leather sole, i nearly slipped just standing up. On my high end allen edmunds i put rubber covers on the soles to avoid the slip and wear. Especially as theyre mostly used for weddings, and thats heavy drinking on slick dance floors.
I believe the veg tan leather lining is very important for antimicrobial purposes (specially for chrome and combination tanned leather uppers) as it is not leather itself that is antimicrobial, it is the vegetable tannins that are. All western boots are lined BTW. Companies make unlined boots to save on leather and propagate the breathable myth, don’t let them fool you Nick 🤪
weighing 140 kilos and living where this is tons of snow, slush, rain, pavements are constantly salted to prevent slip injuries, i wear through leather soles as if they where cardboard.
unless jr soles are literally 10 times more durable in these conditions than whatever meermin uses im never going back to leather soles.
Make a review of the Stockton ranch boots from Tecovas and or the Midland.
Hey Nick, a while back you put us on to sites like sierra, moose jaw, and 6pm but to my knowledge you’re coverage of the boot brands I see there is a bit lacking, anyway you could help me out here? For example I keep seeing intriguing boots by Shoe The Bear, To Boot NY, and Vince but I’m skeptical and have a ravenous hunger for validation from a stranger on the internet. Thanks!
I ride a bicycle, so a grippy rubber sole is vital. Having my feet continually slip off the pedals is actually dangerous.
I do have shoes with leather soles and they're nice, but I don't use them on the bike. At all.
Rubber is fine even for dress wear, if well designed. Allen Edmond's dress rubber soles look just as good as their leather soles.
love leather soles but my main concern is how quickly they get damaged when walking on a poor terrain with lots of tiny sharp stones and they get wet in rain and get damaged even more...how to protect them?
This argument of people not needing as much traction as they think is very fair if you live in a very urban area. City streets and sidewalks are generally fairly decent even in the winter when they're snowy. Rural areas, leather isn't really an option. Bad or no sidewalks plus ice and snow are terrible on leather soles, even guys who wear cowboy boots make sure they have a rubber sole protector around here, else deal with very wet feet
Leather all day. I live in northern NY, so snow all the time, still wear leather soles unless I'm spending a long time outside in the snow.
I’ve walked on some very worn rubber soles that had become flat, wouldn’t recommend that. That’s also the reason why I personally don’t like leather soles: I don’t like having to gamble whether I will or will not slip whenever I step into a puddle or through mud. (Yes, I frequently take walks with my friends through the forest.)
Add to that that a nicely lugged rubber sole also has 0% chance to go flat or wear through. That’s why I will always go for rubber soles if I get the chance.
I went from leather to rubber soles and never looked back. Much happier with rubber.
I understand there is a cork layer between in and out sole. Is this cork layer breathable?
Just a few views - I do like leather soles and one thing to keep them lasting is to condition them - any cream is beneficial, especially a neutral one (no pigments), but the oils sold specially for soles have huge benefits. I am also a believer that a thin rubber front piece can help preserve the life of the sole (in fact make it last forever), and protects against rain, snow, slipping etc. I would not do it at the beginning, and not on all shoes - wear the leather sole first, and as the shoes break i or even years later, you will get to know which you want protected in this way. Any views on a leather heel anyone (the classic one with nails?) - I love the look on classic shoes, but do realise they are very slippery as the nails grind down. A rubber quarter heel is the way to go. As you polish your shoes, do treat your soles too, it will help the leather fibers bind together and strengthen them. Enjoy your fine shoes and boots everyone!
Like the majority of other commenters I'm not convinced I'm afraid. It isn't just hunting or countryside where rubber has advantages of grip but in the city too with a variety of surfaces, some quite smooth, and which if wet can be even more slippery. Rubber all the way for me. I do get rubber grips put on my leather soled shoes.
With leather soles, you essentially can't use them when there's rain or snow. Unless you don't care about the longevity of the sole. This is in addition to the lack of waterproofing and slipperiness. And the ugliness when that nice colored finish wears off. I suppose if one does everything by car and one only goes in and out of offices, leather soles are an option.
I have a nice pair of cream suede brogues with leather soles by State of Art. They would be ideal for summer holidays, but I've found out that walking on the inherently slippery pebbles in accidented small Italian cities is very dangerous. So I try to buy shoes with rubber soles when I can, and if the sole is leather I have a rubber sole protector added.