Mtmr leather4/20/2023 ![]() ![]() With all those pros, why would someone avoid leather soles? While the pros are many and the cons are few, the disadvantages are notable, as they affect the functionality of the shoe. (It came with a scratch.) Leather Sole Cons Thanks to several commenters, including the aptly named Dancing Cowgirl, for pointing this out! A brand new leather sole on the Wolverine 1000 Mile. Flat, clacky, and easy to swish around the floor while making contact with it, I was far lighter on my feet in leather soles. I’m the last guy I’d refer to as a dancer, but in some leather soled Alden wingtips at a recent wedding I had an epiphany: leather soles are great for dancing. It might not be ideal if you live in colder climates, though rubber is a great insulator, for better or worse. This is also why a lot of guys prefer unlined boots, despite how much smoother feeling the interior of leather lined boots are: boots made of leather, and not too much of it, keep your feet more comfortable when it’s warm out. The reason so many cowboy boots have leather soles is, well, all of the above, but also because leather breathes better in heat than synthetics. (We wouldn’t, but you do you.) Breathable ![]() The same is true for cork, and this is why a lot of guys are happy to go sockless in leather lined, leather soled shoes. Seriously: mostly leather shoes and boots will prevent bacterial growth. The more natural materials in a shoe, the less likely it is to smell bad. A very worn in butyl-treated leather sole on the Wolverine 1000 Mile Odor Resistant ![]() Even cork takes a bit of time to heat up and mold to the shape of your foot. It also starts molding to your foot right away. The benefit of a pliable material like leather is that it breaks in fast. The reason is that materials associated with comfort are lighter and lack rigidity, while more durable materials, like steel, wood, and cork, are all denser and stronger. A pair of shoes made with EVA and rubber are pretty comfy from the get go, but a pair of steel shanked hiking boots, not so much. Out-of-the-box comfort and durability are often at odds. They mold around the shape of the foot over time, helping to provide a feeling of support, plus they’re very flexible and have a good ground feel. Many guys will only wear shoes with leather uppers and leather outsoles for this reason - relative to a lot of tough rubber outsoles, they’re much friendlier on the knees and with regard to shock absorption. If you’re only planning on wearing them inside, then you also get the added benefit of a nice click-clack sound on the floor. If I’m ever wearing a suit, I prefer leather soles because they’re both old fashioned and refined, just like a good suit should be. We’re talking in generalities here, obviously, but a leather outsole has a low profile, which is well suited to a dressy outfit. So how do they stack up? It’s the Dressiest Sole Leather soles have to compete with rubber and other soles on aesthetics, utility, comfort, and durability. ![]()
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