The main difference between these two hiking boots is that leather boots are durable and don’t get worn and tear too quickly whereas synthetic boots are lightweight and offer you more feet and ankle support, but are less durable.
Leather and synthetic material hiking boots are compared due to the comfort and stylizing approach. While leather boots are always suaver and look dainty, it also provides natural feet functionality and comfort.
Likewise, synthetic hiking boots are also available in style and add lightweight comfort for day-long wear. But there are still many features that set both hiking boots apart.
Expert Opinion on Leather vs Synthetic Hiking Boots
Comparison Between Leather Hiking Boots vs Synthetic
| Features | Leather Hiking Boots | Synthetic Hiking Boots |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Weight | Heavier and bulky design | Lightweight and minimal manufacturing |
| Comfort | They are more durable and have powerful seams | Feels softer and more flexible |
| Style | Stylish and impressive | Subtle and professional look |
| Breathability | Ideal breathable | Medium breathability |
| Waterproofing/water-resistance | Excellent waterproof but not 100% | Not much waterproof for keeping feet dry |
| Price | Can be expensive | Affordable; Price may vary |
| Quality | It offers more ankle support | Less durable, laces and seams may get fray over time |
| Ankle support/stability | It needs more time to properly break-in | Less ankle support |
| Size/fitting | Plastic, including nylon, polyester, or synthetic leather | Comfortable-out-of-the-box design; needs no break-in |
| Shock Absorption | Not a good shock for absorption | Reliable resilience and shock absorption |
| Material | It uses animal skin such as cows, alligators, ostrich, snakes, etc. | Plastic including nylon, polyester, or synthetic leather |
Leather Hiking Boots Pros and Cons
- Ultra-durable and have powerful seams
- Waterproof and breathable
- Stylish and impressive designs
- More ankle support and stability for ascending
- Heavy
- Expensive
- May need a break-in
Synthetic Hiking Boots Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Offers shock-absorbing design
- Lightweight for day-long hiking and miles of weaning
- Comfortable out of the box and softer interior
- Not ultra-durable
- Seams are poor
- Mediocre breathability
Details of Hiking Boots Leather vs Synthetic
Now let’s find out more differences in details between leather and synthetic hiking boots to help you make a clear decision.
1. Weight
The weight of the hiking boot is all about stability and overall balance on abrasive grounds. However, some people prefer lightweight boots due to their sensitive feet.
As a matter of general observation, leather hiking boots are heavy and rather bulky.
They have a thick-set outsole, and that adds to the weight. Whereas the synthetic material hiking boot is lighter on the feet, and it feels more natural to walk, climb and hike.
For example, the Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen Mid Leather Waterproof Hiking Boot weighs 2 pounds, whereas the Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Gtx Hiking Boot weighs only 1.1 Pounds in total weight.
2. Comfort
Leather boots are comfortable, but you may find them stiffer for the first few times of wearing them.
On the other hand, synthetic boots are comfortable to wear right out of the box.
However, there is a thing to note; synthetic boots may feel stiffer and rough once they are older, while leather boots get perfectly comfortable over time once they conform to your feet ‘shape.
I found this synthetic KEEN Men’s Targhee 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boot super plush for my sensitive feet while this Timberland Men’s Anti-Fatigue Hiking Waterproof Leather Mt. Maddsen Boot has been stiffer and demanded a break-in.
3. Fitting
A loose hiking boot can cause abrasion and chafing, while a tight boot is all about blisters and strain.
Therefore you need to pick up the best-fit boot for hiking. Leather boots are stiffer; therefore, they need a reasonable time to break in.
You need to know how long it takes to break in hiking boots for the best fitting.
On the contrary, synthetic hiking boots provide you best fitting right out of the box. So you don’t need to break them.
For example, this Rockport Men’s Spruce Peak Hiker Boot has been my best-fit boot, while this Skechers Women’s Relaxed Fit Trego Alpine Trail Hiking Boot needed proper boot socks.
4. Breathability
Leather hiking boots are naturally more breathable because they have animal skin.
The airflow in leather boots makes sure to naturally keep your feet free from sweat and ensure hygiene and blood circulation.
On the flip side, synthetic boots feature different types of plastics, such as nylon and polyester, so they don’t offer reasonable breathability to the feet.
Overall, leather boots are more breathable, while synthetic boots are less breathable!
For instance, Thorogood Crosstrex 8” Insulated Waterproof Hiking Boots for Men – Premium Breathable Leather and Mesh with Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo and Traction Outsole offered the best breathability on the other hand, the Vasque Women’s Breeze Lt Low GTX Gore-Tex Waterproof Breathable Hiking Shoe has poor breathability for those who over-sweat.
5. Water-resistance
Water-resistance hiking boots mean your feet will remain dry (from external water), and that adds to more grip.
Leather hiking boots are naturally excellent for waterproofing compared to synthetic hiking boots.
Synthetic hiking boots offer you a medium level of waterproofing. Note that no waterproof boot guarantees you to keep your feet 100% dry!
For example, this Timberland Men’s White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle leather Boot provides satisfactory water resistance. In contrast, this synthetic KEEN Women’s Terradora 2 Waterproof Mid-Height Hiking Boot was mediocre for keeping feet dry and warm.
6. Price and Affordably
The price of hiking boots is what lets you decide what to buy.
Leather hiking boots are usually expensive for obvious reasons. They fear animal skin, fine faux fur, and durable quality.
Leather boots are more durable and have robust seams that do not get frayed easily while you hike aggressively.
Conversely, synthetic boots are usually subtle in designs, have less durability, and are affordable in the price range.
However, you can opt for sales, deals, and seasonal offers for buying the hiking boot at a reasonable price.
For a more clear understanding, I purchased these ECCO Men’s Track 25 High Gore-Tex leather Hiking boots for $249.95. In contrast, this Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Women’s Waterproof synthetic Hiking Boot only cost me $50.99, which is reasonable.
7. Ankle Support and Stability
Leather boots are somewhat stiffer in comparison with synthetic boots.
However, they lack ankle support and overall stability, while synthetic hiking boots are more welcoming to offer you ankle support.
Also, Leather boots are not ideal for shock absorption, but synthetic boots are reliable for shock-absorbing and resilience interiors.
But once you break in the leather boot and wear it with boot socks, it offers you well-balanced hiking on all terrain. Such as this Timberland Women’s White Ledge Mid Ankle Boot has less ankle stability, but Manfen Women’s Hiking Boots Lightweight Waterproof Hunting Boots, Ankle Support has the best ankle support that wraps feet.
8. Design and Style
Leather hiking boots are super stylish for their upper, contour, seams, color range, and overall build, whereas synthetic hiking boots look subtle and professional.
However, the textile mix and range in the boot may indeed find you a trendy hiking boot pair.
For example, this Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped, Elk/Mountain Red, 8.5 with leather and textile mix and red laces instantly grabs attention. On the other hand, this Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boot looks dull and subtle regarding style and appearance.
Suede vs Leather Hiking Boots
To know the difference between suede and leather boots, first, you must know what Suede leather is.
Suede leather results from splitting the animal’s body, hair side outward (to protect the flesh), and rubbing the skin with a rough surface, often a file. Suede fabrics have a soft, velvety surface but require more maintenance than leather, including brushing and covering when not in use to prevent dryness. Suede is also less durable than full-grain leather, with the upper surface wearing more quickly than the under the hide’s surface.
So, after getting a better idea of Suede leather, you can see the boots made from these both will surely be different.
The main difference between Suede and leather hiking boots is the texture and composition. Suede hiking boots are softer and more comfortable than normal leather boots. Also, suede boots break in faster, approximately in 2 days whereas leather boots may take a week. But the major drawback of suede leather boots is, they need more frequent cleaning and are less durable than leather boots.
So, it is the frequency of usage you need to focus on if you are deciding between the best suede vs the best leather boots. I have also compared more features below so you can completely understand their differences.
| Features | Suede Hiking Boots | Leather Hiking Boots |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Very smooth, sleek, and buttery look | Dull, matte, and furry |
| Durability | Less durable against impact | Durable to withstand abrasion, cuts, and impact |
| Fitting | We may need a break-in | May need a break-in |
| Best for | Suitable for medium hiking | Hardcore hiking physical activities in the winter season |
| Waterproof | Lesser waterproofing | Best waterproofing |
Nubuck vs Leather Hiking Boots
Before jumping, know the nubuck vs leather, first, you need to know what nubuck is.
Nubuck leather is made from the same part of the hide as suede, but unlike suede, it can be easily made smooth again with a process called ‘nubuckising’. In the nubuck process, the fibers are brushed in one direction, which causes the surface to become more compact, creating a velvet-like texture.
Now getting on the comparison,
The main difference between nubuck and leather is that nubuck leather boots are velvety in texture and bear more shine than leather hiking boots. Also, they are better than suede leather in terms of cleaning and softness.
More differences between these two boots’ materials are given below:
| Features | Nubuck Hiking Boots | Leather Hiking Boots |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Feels fuzzy or velvety to the touch | Smooth and feel even texture |
| Durability | Sensitive feet, due to their softer and breathability, are best for mountaineering/backpacking | Durable and have a better performance against cuts |
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavyweight |
| Best for | Sensitive feet, due to their softer and breathability, is best for mountaineering/backpacking | Hardcore hiking due to its stiffer feel |
| Price | Affordable in price and less pricey boots | Expensive boots |
Gore-Tex vs Leather Hiking Boots
The main difference between gore text and leather boots is the material itself. The gore-tex hiking boots have a gore-tex membrane which is there for waterproofing and breathability whereas leather boots are not usually waterproof until the manufacturers made them waterproof. Also, gore-tex boots are longlasting ones than simple leather boots.
More differences are shown in the table below:
| Features | Gore-Tex Hiking Boots | Leather Hiking Boots |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | Gore-tex membrane | Non-gore tex, leather |
| Durability | Medium durability | Best durability and longevity |
| Fitting | Flexible and resilient, no need for a break-in | Need a break-in |
| Best for | Ultra-waterproofing to keep feet dry | May lack waterproofing |
| Price | Reasonably priced | Costly |
