Leather Boots for the Outdoors

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Wyatsy

Joined
Jul 14, 2013
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What is you guys' take on leather boots for the outdoors? I mean, are they good or are they too fragile for backpacking and weather and what not? The look on some paratrooper boots are really nice and I'd like a pair for just walking around in as well, but would they hold up in the woods too? And if I'm spending a decent amount of money on these things, they aren't going to bust out on me in a year or two right?
I'm specifically interested in the Vintage Shoe Nathaniel Jump Boot.
Thank you guys
 
For the longest time (5 years?) i've been looking at Nick's Hotshot, Irish Setter 708 and Vibergs.
Had worn Asolo Yukon to scale the highest peak in Malaysia. Love leather for their breath-ability.
My next boot acquisition will be Altberg Jungle boot.

You want to look into applying good stuff on your leather. I use pure beeswax to make them waterproof but not too much.
It's different climate here compared to yours.
 
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I tend to dislike 100% leather boots but also boots in general. Leather does not breath and does not dry easily. It's also heavy. Boots just make things worse. I'd go with a well fitted modern shoe or boot designed for what you will be doing. Walking shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes/boots. Having shoes that fit is the most important factor when choosing. It is worth going to a bricks and mortar shop to try before you buy.

Most things vintage should be ignored when it comes to functional outdoor gear. With vintage soles your feet will suffer. The collective knowledge of the outdoor gear manufacturing business has improved so should the gear. Army surplus boots are generally horrible because they were cheap and nasty to begin with. It is far better to wear out your shoes than your feet. The absolute best experience I have had have been light weight walking shoes with modern soles that mold to fit the shape of your feet.
 
I have several pairs of rugged leather boots and I have worn them a lot but much prefer my Merrill light hikers. Comfortable, light, and they do all I've ever needed.
 
I wouldn't give up the support and comfort of my Danner Mountain Lights for anything. :thumbup:
Been wearing them for so long I think my feet have molded to the boot shape. I don't even have to break in new pairs.

They hold up just fine in deserts, forests, and grasslands. I'd want harder rubber if I hiked daily in a lava field - that stuff is tough on boots.

they aren't going to bust out on me in a year or two right?
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Hiking and working full time, I'd get a year or two out of each pair. Then re-sole them and get another year.
Nowadays I hike more casually and they last about four years.
 
Alrighty, well thanks for the input so far you guys. I think I'll probably have a pair someday for city-walking, but might go with a newer-type shoe when it comes to hiking.
 
"Are leather boots tough enough for the outdoors?"

Yes, Yes they are. a good one piece leather boot with wax for a good shine and water proofing is great.

one piece of leather means only one seem to come apart, not multiple seems all over the boot.

I've worn Vasque Sundowners for years,(they are goretex lined) never had a problem. I get at least a year and a half out of the Chinese ones.
I do have now and have had before the Italian made Sundowners, the mx2, and they are the best boot I've ever worn. I get at least 2 years out of them, and the pair I have now went out for new tread last year and I'm looking to get another 2 out of them.

Lowe, Asola, and Scarpa still make a full leather boot that will compare to any of the man made plastic or fabric or fake leatherette that the "modern" boots are made from most of the time now.

The Chinese Sundowners can be resoled too. the leathers not as thick as the MX2 but they are cheaper or were when they still made them in Italy.

I looked at the jump boots that you listed, and they are dam nice, but not hiking/backpacking boots. The Corceran jump boots I wore 25 years ago weren't that nice.

Just to sum up, DON'T discount leather, it's been tough enough for longer than then nylon will ever be.
Just to be clear I've never hiked a volcano but I have put more miles than I can count on a pair of boots in some rough country.

I do have no use for Keen boots, the sandals are great but the boots suck, I wouldn't recommend them.

good luck
 
Wyatsy said:
What is you guys' take on leather boots for the outdoors? I mean, are they good or are they too fragile for backpacking and weather and what not? The look on some paratrooper boots are really nice and I'd like a pair for just walking around in as well, but would they hold up in the woods too?
Click to expand...

I would take a well-made pair of leather boots over synthetic upper boots, any day (except for serious winter/mountaineering). People have been hiking in leather boots for a long, long time. I'm currently using a pair of Meindl boots and they are awesome. The most immediately comfortable heavy-duty boots I've ever purchased. And they aren't a retro, "vintage" boot by any means. They have a thoroughly modern sole and great support.

And leather actually does breathe. It may not breath like a synthetic boot with mesh panels, but then the latter is not a boot I would ever choose for anything other than mild conditions.
 
Properly cared for leather boots will breathe and last a long time. Proper fit is the key. I've had the same pair of Peter Limmer boots for almost twenty years. It's about time to get another pair not because they've worn out, but because my feet have changed over the the years.
 
I have a pair of Herman leather boots that are 30 years old
Treat them well they will last
 

Browning leather boots (Kang. learher and goretex) They are very light and strong, I have this ones over 3 years and they did more then 10.000 miles) And they were american made.
 
I have been backpacking for years and prefer a boot over any sort of trail shoe. However, I do wear boots as an everyday shoe so am used to the extra weight. My favorite hiking boots are my Danner Combat Hikers. Danners are a little expensive but worth every penny. I have also had good luck with Merrell brand boots and they are usually lighter. Recently I picked up a pair of Wolverine Branson boots because they were on sale and had a gore-tex lining and Vibram sole. They've been a nice surprise so far.
 
Wyatsy said:
What is you guys' take on leather boots for the outdoors? I mean, are they good or are they too fragile for backpacking and weather and what not? The look on some paratrooper boots are really nice and I'd like a pair for just walking around in as well, but would they hold up in the woods too? And if I'm spending a decent amount of money on these things, they aren't going to bust out on me in a year or two right?
I'm specifically interested in the Vintage Shoe Nathaniel Jump Boot.
Thank you guys
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Well made leather will outlast other materials.

But you may be asking the wrong question.

I would start by figuring out what style of boot will suit your needs.

Describe where you're going and what sort of activities you hope to do and people can give you better advice.
 
The key to any boot is to start with one that fits your foot and is built for the terrain and load it will carry. My Lowa's were hand made in Germany and have held up fine to many years of hard use.

Pay attention to the shank (too stiff and it won't give on concrete but, great in rock terrain with heavy loads). Too light and they won't protect your feet from trail hazards.
 
I prefer leather boots for outdoor activities. I like high uppers for Ankle support and protection from brush. Right now, I'm using a pair of 600g insulated Irish Setter Elk Trackers. They are Gortex lined, 600g Thinsulate, 12" leather uppders with great support, comfortable insoles and agressive outer soles. Since they are insulated, I'm looking to get something else for summer use and keep these as my fall, Winter and Spring boots. They are great in the Winter with a pair of thick Marino Wool socks.

When I was a teen and in College, I spent a lot of time in the woods camping, hiking, backpacking and general bumming around. Practicing no match fires, building and sleeping in brush shelters, building camp crafts and the like. Quality leather boots never let me down and they provided good ankle support which I need. In 2000, I got a pair of Hi-Tec Lite Hikers. They lasted a few years. I liked them enough that I got another pair {Altitude II's} and a backup pair on close out a few years later. One pair was for outdoor use, the other for EDC and work when allowed. In 2009, I wanted a pair of Big Heavy Duty Leather outdoor boots, so I got my Irish Setters and love them. But they are a bit big and hot for EDC and my current job. Next month, I'll be on the look out for some new EDC/Work boots and will probably end up with some Lite Hikers or Duty boots. Then I'll mainly use my Irish Setters for Outdoor use again. :)

Quality leather boots that fit your feet and are oiled [Montana Pitch Blend Leather dressing is really good! So is Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP] often will last many years. If I can save up the money, I hope to have another pair of Irish setter outdoor boots for Spring and Summer use out in the woods, then some Lite Hikers for EDC.
 
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I mostly wear lighter weight synthetic or synthetic/leather trail shoes for short day hikes on easy trails. Currently I rotate some from Montrail and The North Face. They are light weight, comfortable but don't last very long and aren't ideal for rough trails or carrying a load. When it comes to rough/rocky trails or longer hikes/backpacking I like to stick with leather, Vibram soles and stitched down construction. I mostly wear Danners and have 2 pairs of made in the USA Danner Mountain Lights I rotate that are both on their second set of the legendary Vibram Kletterlift soles and the boots are all that they are cracked up to be. There are lots of other good quality hiking boots out there but I have found that the Danners work well for me.

I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP as well.
 
I have been wearing a pair of Red Wing Loggers six days a week 10-14 hours a day for the last 7 years at work and when I do get a chance to go play outside those same boots are on my feet then. They have Vibram soles, solid double stich construction, a nice aggressive tread pattern, and they breathe pretty well too.

They have been resoled twice now and still going strong, show me a pair of synthetics that can do that :)
 
After hiking a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado in my Lowa Renegades (ripped a couple lugs off and feet were toast) I realized I needed a better boot for the type of terrain I was encountering. While my choice didn't end up being light they are rugged and designed for the abuse I am putting them through. I ended up with a pair of White's Smoke Jumpers. They have taken a while to break in but now they feel like part of me when I put them on and the investment has paid off. I will be tackling another 14,000 peak later this summer and really putting them to the test. The lowa's are great low weight or no weight average terrain hikers and still see use for these tasks.
 
sideways said:
I tend to dislike 100% leather boots but also boots in general. Leather does not breath and does not dry easily. It's also heavy. Boots just make things worse. I'd go with a well fitted modern shoe or boot designed for what you will be doing. Walking shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes/boots. Having shoes that fit is the most important factor when choosing. It is worth going to a bricks and mortar shop to try before you buy.

Most things vintage should be ignored when it comes to functional outdoor gear. With vintage soles your feet will suffer. The collective knowledge of the outdoor gear manufacturing business has improved so should the gear. Army surplus boots are generally horrible because they were cheap and nasty to begin with. It is far better to wear out your shoes than your feet. The absolute best experience I have had have been light weight walking shoes with modern soles that mold to fit the shape of your feet.
Click to expand...

I largely agree. Vintage stuff has its appeal but it's largely nostalgic, and Army surplus is not on my want list as far as footwear is concerned.
As I live in Scandi land, the forests&paths when not snowy are muddy a lot of the time. Leather is not really suitable for these conditions and is hell to dry out and clean up. A lightweight comfortable synth boot does me very well, feet stay dry, good support&grip and easy to clean up.
 
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