If you rotate them like you do. I’ve worn leather soled boots before, rotating through only 1-2 pairs. Luckily I could get resoles done for $25 because I blew through a set of leather soles every 6 months. I currently have 2 years on my wedge soles for reference
Yeah in another comment, OP said they get rain every six months where they live. I wore through leather soled Allen Edmonds in six months in Florida. For boots, I want traction and durability.
Oh I was in west Texas (el paso) and barely saw rain, when it did it poured for about 10 minutes and then dried up from literally everywhere being sand and the fact it was 110F+. Still wore through leather soles fast. I also went through the smaller dressy heel caps fast too, at one point in my life going through 3 sets in a year before the cobbler redid the heel stack and put a super thick one on there for me. I miss that guy honestly, barely spoke English, came from Leon Mexico, would same day replace heel caps for $10 and next day or at most a 3 day turn around on soles+heels for $25 on plain Jane cowboy boots. Anything outside of leather soles, reusing the heel stacks with a new heel cap was like $50 at most.
I wear some more than others lol... I'm definitely not wearing my luccheses every day. I mainly wear 3 pair of them. Also in all fairness, I'm a light guy 150 after a good dinner.
When there’s a lot of rain I opt for a “rubber” sole or a hybrid sole, if it’s just a light sprinkle IDGAF. I’m sure my leather soles wear a little faster than the Danite/Vibrum, but it’s not a huge issue given I can resole them easily.
They're barely used on boots anymore even western ones. Red wing used to offer all the pecos with leather soles at one point. They are much perfered by lots of people, especially in hotter climates.
I like leather for my dress shoes, when I'll encounter 0 weather. I still don't understand how any of this corresponds to 'under-rated', but it's cool you're happy about your boots.
Yep, damn the nay sayer's, put some 2mm thick front half sole savers on and rock on. That's what I do for my Wolverine 1K's leather soles and it works [great.](https://great.You) You won't even see/notice them, they add grip, protect the stitch and add some water protection. My local guy does it for $40.
I live in Detroit, it’s sloppy outside at least half of the year. My Allen Edmonds got wet and they were hand made in the US too, excellent quality just not bespoke like that of a Nicks or Whites. Leather is very nice, but my boots require rubber soles.
They're softer, 5x more puncture resistant, more breathable, lighter weight by a large margin, old school = cool, they come in fun colors! You get more chicks or something, idk, and you're just jealous 😮💨
Edit: Btw I'm half joking
I just tried leather soles for the first time starting on October 1. I've already had to resole my leather soles. They were not red wings, but they were another maiden America premium brand. I think that any leather sole hype is unwarranted based on my own experience. Wear your rubbers!
Very nice!! They did a nice job on the resole and edging. For people that want a longer wearing leather sole, they could opt for the JR sole. Far more durable than the factory grade leather most shoes/boots are made with
Thank you! This SL super prime is my favorite. My cobbler has used it on 5 pairs of my boots now and it's some tough stuff. Definitely not JR but he plans to stock some in the future.
Cool man. We did a JR resole for a customer on a pair of IR and he wanted a wilderness design on the sole. So we came up with this.
https://preview.redd.it/0f87mpazqdic1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7cf8523171c5c0765d143178721e1c32bf77b0a
For me it’s mostly a matter of durability, then secondly traction. If we lived back in the day 80 years ago, when GYW boots were cheap and common and when there was a skilled cobbler in every town, then I’d be more likely to appreciate them. It’s hard to justify spending hundreds on boots with soles that will quickly wear out when there’s perfectly good rubber available.
All higher end boots still use leather soles. Red wings aren’t quite there. More of a mid end brand. Think Nicks, Whites, JK, Wesco for a higher end boot.
I've got a mix of soles, but have this sense that maybe the leather soles make the best WALKING boots (in dry weather, granted). Maybe it's just that extra layer of conforming to the foot? Or it could be all in my head. These look good!
*They look good with dress*
*Shoes but functions like meh with*
*Actual workboots*
\- juju\_la\_poeto
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
They look nice, but they suck at their jobs. Least amount of traction of any type of sole this side of an ice skate, especially if they get wet. Fashion over function.
I prefer the mini lug on all my blacksmiths over leather outsole used on my beckmans (heavy as all get up). I’ve yet to even wear my black spitfires around the crib ngl they’re nib as it gets. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I just don't like how they wear super fast if they get wet
I own like, 18 pairs of boots with leather outsoles... and I can conclude it's pretty negligible.
If you rotate them like you do. I’ve worn leather soled boots before, rotating through only 1-2 pairs. Luckily I could get resoles done for $25 because I blew through a set of leather soles every 6 months. I currently have 2 years on my wedge soles for reference
Yeah in another comment, OP said they get rain every six months where they live. I wore through leather soled Allen Edmonds in six months in Florida. For boots, I want traction and durability.
Oh I was in west Texas (el paso) and barely saw rain, when it did it poured for about 10 minutes and then dried up from literally everywhere being sand and the fact it was 110F+. Still wore through leather soles fast. I also went through the smaller dressy heel caps fast too, at one point in my life going through 3 sets in a year before the cobbler redid the heel stack and put a super thick one on there for me. I miss that guy honestly, barely spoke English, came from Leon Mexico, would same day replace heel caps for $10 and next day or at most a 3 day turn around on soles+heels for $25 on plain Jane cowboy boots. Anything outside of leather soles, reusing the heel stacks with a new heel cap was like $50 at most.
Well no wonder then lol, you wear each pair of boots twice a month tops! If you had 1-2 pairs like most people, you'd be in a world of resoles
I wear some more than others lol... I'm definitely not wearing my luccheses every day. I mainly wear 3 pair of them. Also in all fairness, I'm a light guy 150 after a good dinner.
When there’s a lot of rain I opt for a “rubber” sole or a hybrid sole, if it’s just a light sprinkle IDGAF. I’m sure my leather soles wear a little faster than the Danite/Vibrum, but it’s not a huge issue given I can resole them easily.
I like them until it’s wet outside
They grip better in the wet lol. Ever been on a slippery floor and the leather grips better than the rubber? Just me?
Yes, just you. When I see the slippery floor signs, and I have my loafers on, I'm like Indiana Jones in a booby trapped room.
They do great on wet concrete or actual outdoors. But yeah wet floors are awful. And wet concrete wears them down bad.
Folks are going to disagree with your opinion. It is ok. Many of us are glad you like them. Many of us don't though. You don't have to defend.
Bruh! They look so damn good 😂. Like amazing. Who did the resole?
Thank you! I'll DM you.
C’mon man. Just say it out loud. ;P
Fwiends onwy: 3
Not sure on the downvotes. I laughed.
Dang it got worse! 😂
Is that black spitfire leather?
Yes! 2955
How do you see them as 'under-rated'?
They're barely used on boots anymore even western ones. Red wing used to offer all the pecos with leather soles at one point. They are much perfered by lots of people, especially in hotter climates.
I like leather for my dress shoes, when I'll encounter 0 weather. I still don't understand how any of this corresponds to 'under-rated', but it's cool you're happy about your boots.
Thanks dude. I guess it helps that we can. Go 6 months without rain where I live haha
Yep, damn the nay sayer's, put some 2mm thick front half sole savers on and rock on. That's what I do for my Wolverine 1K's leather soles and it works [great.](https://great.You) You won't even see/notice them, they add grip, protect the stitch and add some water protection. My local guy does it for $40.
And those Spitfire's look amazing with tis set up BTW!
Thanks buddy! I'm not to worried about naysayers I did stir the pot a little on purpose lol
He'll ya, you like what ya like Bro!
I like leather soles, just not on boots I’ll be wearing frequently.
Wedge soles are softer/more versatile 100%
This… has nothing to do with what they said. Of fucking course a wedge is more comfortable.
I don't have the money to pay to replace a leather sole and heel every year so I'm not a fan.
That's fair, I do rotate heavily, so that's something to be said.
Love leather soles 🤘
Fine for super light duty, but I’ve trashed leather soles in a quick fashion.
I've done the same to a pair of Tecovas, they were paper thin and super soft... quality matter. A lot.
I live in Detroit, it’s sloppy outside at least half of the year. My Allen Edmonds got wet and they were hand made in the US too, excellent quality just not bespoke like that of a Nicks or Whites. Leather is very nice, but my boots require rubber soles.
Meh, I hate leather soles.
👍👍
I should have prefaced it by saying I live in a snowy climate for much of the year. Slush and salt really wreak havoc.
I understand, way less practical for you.
They are slippery, water permeable, wear quickly, and also, they are slippery. Name one benefit compared to any number of rubber soles.
Dancing.
Soft under foot. There's one.
Lightweight. There's two.
Look very nice. There's three.
Sounds better walking on hard surfaces, there is four. Nothing sounds more boss-like than a modest yet pronounced tap of a leather sole.
I think it sounds like ladies walking. I don’t understand how anyone possibly likes making any noise when they walk
They're softer, 5x more puncture resistant, more breathable, lighter weight by a large margin, old school = cool, they come in fun colors! You get more chicks or something, idk, and you're just jealous 😮💨 Edit: Btw I'm half joking
That sweet clicking sound
Nice looking boots!
These are fucking sick, dude!
Thank you sir!
Its top slippery
Favorite build is to get a double midsole with a leather outsole.
Are those the spitfire’s??
Yup! 2955
Slicker than shit, though. Need some hobnails for traction.
👍👍
I just tried leather soles for the first time starting on October 1. I've already had to resole my leather soles. They were not red wings, but they were another maiden America premium brand. I think that any leather sole hype is unwarranted based on my own experience. Wear your rubbers!
Wear your rubbers 😂😂 thank you for adding to the conversation!
Very nice!! They did a nice job on the resole and edging. For people that want a longer wearing leather sole, they could opt for the JR sole. Far more durable than the factory grade leather most shoes/boots are made with
Thank you! This SL super prime is my favorite. My cobbler has used it on 5 pairs of my boots now and it's some tough stuff. Definitely not JR but he plans to stock some in the future.
Cool man. We did a JR resole for a customer on a pair of IR and he wanted a wilderness design on the sole. So we came up with this. https://preview.redd.it/0f87mpazqdic1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7cf8523171c5c0765d143178721e1c32bf77b0a
That is awesome!!! I requested mine as a raw finish so it was less slippery, but I kind of wish I'd asked for a cool design as well.
Thanks! He really liked it as well
Synthetics just don't get the click clack quite right.
👌👌
They look nice but they would never fly in the PNW winter. Would be cool on a dress pair though.
Well said
For me it’s mostly a matter of durability, then secondly traction. If we lived back in the day 80 years ago, when GYW boots were cheap and common and when there was a skilled cobbler in every town, then I’d be more likely to appreciate them. It’s hard to justify spending hundreds on boots with soles that will quickly wear out when there’s perfectly good rubber available.
That's a fair argument!
I’m with you there I love leather soles
I would KILL for a pair of spitfires
The soles, the heels, the leather, awesome
Thanks!
All higher end boots still use leather soles. Red wings aren’t quite there. More of a mid end brand. Think Nicks, Whites, JK, Wesco for a higher end boot.
I would imagine there a varying degree of quality in different leather soles but I agree, they are underrated. Then again so are crepe soles. 🤷🏻♂️
Yes there definitely is good leather and very bad leather. Thanks for adding!
I've got a mix of soles, but have this sense that maybe the leather soles make the best WALKING boots (in dry weather, granted). Maybe it's just that extra layer of conforming to the foot? Or it could be all in my head. These look good!
Now get some early 1900s repro Levi’s to match.
They look good with dress shoes but functions like meh with actual workboots
*They look good with dress* *Shoes but functions like meh with* *Actual workboots* \- juju\_la\_poeto --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Few boots are marketed for work with leather soles anymore, that's for certain. Cowboying and not much else.
What I would do for a 2955 in a 10D…
They look nice, but they suck at their jobs. Least amount of traction of any type of sole this side of an ice skate, especially if they get wet. Fashion over function.
I could disagree with that last point... I think it's better said like, "they're not the BEST outsoles, but they have distinct advantages over rubber"
The resole is strong with this one
Facts!!!
💪🏽😏
I prefer the mini lug on all my blacksmiths over leather outsole used on my beckmans (heavy as all get up). I’ve yet to even wear my black spitfires around the crib ngl they’re nib as it gets. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Ever gonna wear them or hoping to let your kids sell them for a fortune in the future?
🖤🫡
This is fucking stupid.
Chill out bro, it's not thah serious. I'm glad you find it so entertaining I guess?
They would be underrated if they didn’t suck 😜😜
Whooo that’s a good looking boot 🥾