Hiking Boots: Leather vs Synthetic
Hiking Boots: Leather vs Synthetic
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Boots! Unless you live in Fremantle (as we do) or Nimbin, you are fairly likely to want to put something on your feet when you go hiking. We have written before about how to choose hiking boots but this time we thought we would cover the topic of leather v synthetic.
When assessing a boot, the things you want to take into consideration are weight, durability, comfort, price, waterproofing and warmth. Now you can decide for yourself which consideration is most important for you. I know for me, durability and comfort are right up the top but I don’t want to go broke on a pair of boots either!
Weight:
Leather boots are generally, significantly heavier than synthetics. There are exceptions of course, but my Leather Scarpa’s clock in at a hefty 1.2kgs! This is twice the weight of the usual synthetics. I really feel the weight when we doing our Cape to Cape tours and I am walking on the sand. It doesn’t tend to affect me as much on the slopes but I could see how it would.
Winner = Synthetic
Durability:
The synthetics have a long way to go as far I am concerned when it comes to durability. I have gone through 4 pairs of synthetics in 2 years. It is so often the little things which break even on relatively expensive (+$200) pairs. Leather boots on the other hand are much more long lasting (again, in general).
Winner = Leather
Comfort:
There is a bit of misnomer that leather boots are uncomfortable, however nothing could be further from the truth. The problem is that they need to be worn in. For the first 2 weeks in leather boots, it feels like you are wearing two small milk crates on your feet… but after that, they are great. In contrast, the synthetics are very comfortable from day one. As long as you get the fit right, they can be better than sneakers.
Winner = Synthetic (but only because of the initial comfort)
Price:
There is a big range of prices now. Traditionally the leather boots were the more expensive options but more and more, we are finding some very top end synthetics out there. That said, the leather boots tend to start at around $250 where as you can get synthetics for less than $150 (but how durable are they??)
Winner = Synthetic
Water proofing:
It’s all a hoax. Eventually water always finds a way in. I have never had a boot that haven’t eventually let water in. We recommend adjusting your expectations on this. Leather boots definitely take longer to dry though.
No winner
Warmth:
There is no doubt that the leather boots are pretty warm. Remember, this isn’t always a positive – in fact, up in the Kimberley, it’s a bad thing. I have never really suffered from hot feet but I have certainly got cold feet (not at our wedding thank goodness) on a hike or two. Leather boots win hands down.
Winner = Leather
Overall Winner:
I am currently in a pair of leathers which I love, but you really need to choose what is important to you.
We would love to hear you comments below.
Happy trails,
Team Inspiration Outdoors.
