Boots: Leather vs Manmade material? - YouLookFab Forum

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Boots: Leather vs Manmade material?

Gail

Veteran

Today I returned a summer dress I never wore to Macy's . Whilst I was in the store I thought I would take a look at the boots and shoes. I looked mostly at the boot selection. It seemed as though most of the boots they had on display were not leather but manmade material, to look like leather. However I also noticed they are practically the price of leather!
I am picky about wanting leather as I think it looks nicer and wears better . Even many of the suede boots were not real suede but a fabric look a like.
Anyone else noticed this ?

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I prefer leather in most cases for the reasons you mention. But I do have a non-leather pair that I have saved from a number of years ago because they were so darn comfortable and useful; you can wear them in wet conditions without any worries.

Diana

Veteran

This is why I do most of my shoe shopping online, despite having fussy feet. I find the selection in stores so lacking, especially in the styles I am interested in (comfy but stylish with some funky edge). I do not wear fake leather shoes. It's uncomfortable, not breathable, and doesn't tend to wear well. Fabric/canvas can be OK though, and some of the more fabric-like faux suedes are all right too (less durable though, and I'm not willing to pay real suede prices for it).

I wear patent leather in the rain!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've had some non leather shoes that were comfy and lasted well, but it really can be a crapshoot.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I had one pair of faux leather boots that I liked a lot but only kept them a season. I prefer leather for the look and durability. Having said that, I do have a few Matt & Nat bags that are vegan and very nice. Perhaps the quality of faux is as variable as the quality of leather.

Echo

Veteran

My biggest gripe about non-leather boots is that they don't last. When I find a comfortable pair of boots, I want to wear them a LOT, and every pair of boots made from man-made materials have either cracked or lost their faux leather coating or the stitching has come undone. They often have barely a year of wear in them before they need to be retired.

deb

Veteran

Non leather does not breath, in my experience. Feet get sweaty and the shoe gets smelly.

Greyscale

Veteran

I am very, very picky about shoe material - not just leather uppers but leather lining as well. I find it much more comfortable and longer-wearing. But as a vegetarian, I also wish I weren't so in love with leather. So I keep thinking I should give some alternatives a try. I've noticed that a lot of fake leather (like the Matt & Nat bags Cheryle mentioned) is better than it used to be.

Anonymous

I don't mind a microsuede alike on some boots - the ones I have are those fitted , side zip dressier types. I have one fake leather pair I bought thinking I needed them for lousy weather, but I never wore them. They just weren't quite "it" style-wise . The quality of those micro suedes and faux leathers are fine - just not what I'd go for for everyday wear. And you're right, they were not any less $$ than a comparable brand in leather.

kerlyn

Veteran

I actually have a few pairs of faux leather boots ( a couple pairs by Rocket Dog) that have worn really well. In fact, my Rocket Dog moto boots from 3 years ago are still going strong, and they're my most worn boots! I seriously wear them nearly every day September through May, including wet weather, snow, dirt, dancing, you name it. That said, I've had pairs of faux leather boots that peeled and cracked within months, so it's certainly variable.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I wish I had the budget for some Fryes, and at least one pair of Aquatalia's! I do think, however, there is room in most people's closets for at least one pair of non-leather boots. It's good to be able to get boots wet or sloppy without worry, and sometimes they come in handy when you want to test drive a trend without a steep investment.

shiny

Veteran

For shoes in general I vastly prefer leather for the breathability, stretchability, and overall comfort. If I'm buying a pointy toed pump, you better believe it will be leather, as I need to stretch that baby around my bunion foot!

I'm not sure leather shoes wear any longer or less -- I am sure good leather requires maintenance to last longer. Time between wears to dry/air out, water repellant treatment, wiping down salt, frequent cobbler visits, leather cleaner/ moisturizer.

Non-leather requires less maintenance. You should probably still give it time between wears (non leather gets stinkier faster, because of less breathability). But you may not need to water repellant treat it, or wipe it down for salt, or use special cleaner or moisturizer on it.

In practice:

Leather:
I have a pair of wine boots that are going on 15 years strong.
My black leather boots are 10 years old and still look new

Non Leather:
I have 12 year old boots that are completely and undeniably synthetic looking if you look close... these are the boots I drag out when the weather is most sloppy and salt filled everywhere. I don't wipe them down every use. I have treated them rather poorly -- yet... one wipe of a damp cloth and they look new again. I am afraid to throw these out because they will probably last 1000 years in a landfill! They've never even needed re-soled or any cobbler attention.

I've also got a favorite pair of synthetic leather booties that are a few years old and have worn quite well. The heel tip needs to be replaced, and the pointy toe is just starting to subtly fray a bit. I'd replace in a heartbeat as they were definitely worth the cost per wear.

Gigi

Veteran

Like some other commenters, I like the odd synthetic leather pair of shoes because I can wear it outside in the rain and snow and not worry about ruining it. But in general, I look for leather too. And I have noticed the price thing: the synthetic boots are getting almost as expensive as the real deal. I saw a cute pair of OTK boots that I thought I might try, but they were $375 and synthetic. I don't know if I want to spend that much on a pair of synthetic boots. I would rather spend that money on a pair of leather knee-high boots.

Glory

Veteran

Some of the man made boots and shoes are lovely. I find I must stick to leather because they simply do not breathe. My feet get so cold in the man made that I no longer consider them at all. However, some of the selections available are drool worthy.

Anonymous

For the most part, I prefer leather, but I do have one pair of pleather boots that are great in wet weather.

ladyjules

I also saw once in a store a pair of so-called suede boots, they had the leather symbol on their box, I was almost fooled. But the weird smell plus the poor feel of them on my feet convinced me they were nor real leather. When I got home I checked their website and they were indeed fake leather. All of my shoes are either textile or leather. I like my shoes to last me a long time, so I always buy less shoes, but of better quality. Jeans are boots are things I'd rather pay more for and have them last for years.

Beth

Veteran

Like Greyscale, I'm also very specific about my shoes. It's becoming more and more difficult to find shoes that are not only leather, but also leather lined, but that's what my feet are happiest in. IME, leather wears better and feels better.