A Guide to Our Favorite Quality Leather Shoes
If you’ve watched our YouTube, you know how much we love leather products! When it comes to fashion, a lot of the time, the quality is worth the price point. And, when it comes to leather, it’s almost ALWAYS worth it! We love leather gloves, jackets, shoes, bags, and even couches! In fact, one of my favorite couches that I have owned to date was a top grain leather Chesterfield sofa. I still kick myself to this day that I got rid of it! Ugh! It really is a long story, but it’s ok… you can go ahead and feel sorry for me. :)
In regards to leather, quality leather shoes are something both Paul and I can 100% agree on. Our preferred choice of shoes will always be shoes made of genuine leather of course, as we love the long-lasting durability and the natural imperfections in the leather. It’s prized for durability, elegance, and versatility. Plus, the smell, texture, and ruggedness just make it all the better! Various types of leather, including full-grain, cow leather, calf leather, genuine leather, and top-grain leather, influence the shoes’ quality and characteristics, but we have our favorites! But, the most popular choice of leather for shoes is calfskin leather. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different types of leather shoes, highlight some top brands known for each type (including our favorites!), discuss the various types of leather used in leather production, and might even skim the surface into the tanning processes that enhance these materials.
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FOR HIM
1. Oxford Shoes
Definitely a staple in Paul’s closet. Oxfords shoes are typically a men’s dress shoe, and are perfect for formal occasions, office wear, and any event where a sharp, professional look is required. Oxford shoes are an elegant dress shoe that features a closed lacing system concealed within the upper part of the shoe. Full-grain and calf leather are commonly used for their superior quality and elegance.
Paul’s Fav Brands:
Paul’s top fav. Frye makes their leather oxford shoes using high-quality leathers and meticulous handcrafting techniques to produce durable, stylish, and comfortable footwear. SHOP HERE
Taft makes their leather shoes using premium leathers and traditional handcrafting techniques, including hand-stitching and Goodyear welt construction, ensuring high-quality, durable, and stylish footwear. SHOP HERE
Known for its American craftsmanship, Allen Edmonds offers Oxfords made from premium full-grain and calf leather, ensuring durability and a refined look. SHOP HERE
Cole Haan’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design has made them a popular choice for stylish and comfortable leather shoes. SHOP HERE
Ferragamo makes their elegant Italian leather dress shoe by combining luxurious materials, traditional handcrafting techniques, and innovative design to create high-quality, stylish, and durable footwear. SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used for Oxfords:
Full-Grain Leather: This is the highest quality leather, known for its durability and natural look. It develops a beautiful patina over time.
Calf Leather: Derived from young cows, calf leather is soft, smooth, and highly prized for its fine grain and suppleness.
Tanning Process: Vegetable tanning, which uses natural tannins from plants, is often used to preserve the natural look and feel of the leather.
2. Derby Shoes
Derby shoes are versatile and can be dressed up with a suit or down with jeans, making them ideal for both formal and casual settings. They have an open lacing system, meaning that the facings, the part of the shoe that the laces go through, are sewn on top of the vamp instead of flush with it. Paul would also say this is a closet staple.
Paul’s Fav Brands:
Grenson makes their leather derby shoes by utilizing premium leathers and traditional handcrafting techniques, including the Goodyear welt construction, to ensure high-quality, durable, and stylish footwear. SHOP HERE
Clarks makes their leather derby shoes using high-quality leathers and premium suede, and combines traditional craftsmanship with modern comfort technologies to produce stylish, durable, and comfortable footwear. SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Top-Grain Leather: Slightly lower quality than full-grain but still durable and high-quality. It is more pliable and has a smoother finish.
Cow Leather: It is durable, versatile, and widely used in shoe production.
Tanning Process: Chrome tanning is often used for top-grain leather to make it softer and more flexible.
3. Loafers
Paul doesn’t particularly love loafers, but they do have their place in the closet and the fashion world for sure. Loafers are ideal for casual and semi-formal occasions, providing a comfortable yet stylish option for everyday wear. Loafers are a slip-on style of shoe that is usually constructed in leather or suede. It does not feature any laces, fastenings, or other types of closures. It’s a low-cut shoe with a flat heel and a thin leather sole.
Paul’s Fav Brands:
If you’re looking for a classic Penny Loafer, these are it! Cole Haan makes their leather penny loafers by using high-quality leathers and integrating innovative comfort technologies with classic design, ensuring both style and comfort. SHOP HERE
If you’re looking for a more affordable leather loafer, these are it! G.H. Bass makes their leather loafers using quality materials and traditional craftsmanship while maintaining more affordable prices by optimizing production processes and focusing on classic, timeless designs. SHOP HERE
If you’re into high fashion, there are the loafers for you. Gucci makes their loafers using luxurious materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and iconic designs, contributing to their high cost due to the brand’s premium quality and exclusivity. SHOP HERE
Tod’s makes their leather loafers by combining fine Italian leathers with expert craftsmanship and a meticulous attention to detail, resulting in high-quality, stylish, and comfortable footwear. SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Full-Grain Leather: Chosen for its durability and natural appeal.
Genuine Leather: Used in more accessible, affordable loafer designs.
Tanning Process: Semi-aniline tanning, which adds a light protective coating while preserving the leather’s natural look, is commonly used.
4. Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are close-fitting ankle boots featuring stretchy elastic side panels. They are versatile, suitable for a variety of outfits from jeans to suits, making them a must-have in any wardrobe.
Paul’s Fav Brands:
Coincidentally, this boot is called the Paul Chelsea. It is so fitting as there are Paul’s favorite Chelsea boots! Fryes are classic, comfortable, and long-lasting, and use higher-quality leathers. SHOP HERE
Paul loves Florsheim because the men in his family always wore them. Florsheim makes their leather Chelsea boots with a focus on quality materials and craftsmanship, offering durability and style at a competitive price, which makes them a reputable and accessible brand. SHOP HERE
With a Western sole, these are a fun twist to the Chelsea boot. Tecovas makes their leather Chelsea boots using premium leathers and traditional handcrafting techniques, delivering high-quality, durable, and stylish footwear at a value-driven price, which has earned them a strong reputation. SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Full-Grain Leather: Ensures maximum durability and a beautiful patina over time.
Top-Grain Leather: Offers smooth finish and flexibility.
Tanning Process: Chrome tanning, providing a more supple and flexible leather suitable for the Chelsea boot’s design.
5. Chukka Boots
Chukka Boots are similar to Chelsea boots, but they are more casual and less formal. Chukka boots are ankle-high with two or three eyelets for lacing, offering a casual yet sophisticated look. Chukka boots are perfect for casual and smart-casual occasions, offering a blend of style and comfort.
Paul’s Fav Brands:
If you like boots with a little Western flare, these are for you! Lucchese makes their leather chukkas with exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials, reflecting a long-standing heritage of Western bootmaking that sets their brand apart in quality and tradition. SHOP HERE
As you can see, Fryes are a Paul and Falon Favorite! :) Frye’s chukka boots stand out for their combination of rugged, premium leather, artisanal craftsmanship, and a timeless design that balances durability with classic style. SHOP HERE
Same with Cole Haan! They make some great shoes! SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Suede: A type of leather with a napped finish, offering a casual and soft texture.
Top-Grain Leather: Provides a balance of durability and smoothness.
Tanning Process: Suede is often created using split leather with a specific sanding process, while top-grain leather undergoes chrome tanning for flexibility.
FOR HER
1. Shootie Shoes
A women’s shootie is a hybrid footwear style that combines elements of a shoe and an ankle boot, typically featuring a low-cut design that covers the ankle but not the calf.
Falon’s Fav Brands:
Fryes are Falon’s Favorites! :) She introduced Paul to them, and after all these years, she hasn’t changed her mind about it! Frye boots for the win! SHOP HERE
Beek is one of Falon’s fav high quality leather shoe brands! These Falcons have smooth leather and are very comfortable. Amazing leather shoes, inspiring mission behind the brand, and all hand-made leather shoes that will last! We love all of their unique characteristics as well! SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used for Shooties:
Shooties are usually made from various types of leather, including full grain leather, suede, and patent leather, offering a range of textures and finishes.
Tanning Process: Beek shoes typically use vegetable-tanned leather, which involves soaking hides in natural tannins extracted from tree bark and other plant materials, resulting in a durable and eco-friendly leather that develops a rich patina over time. Frye shoes often use a combination of vegetable tanning and chrome tanning processes, which involve treating hides with natural tannins or chromium salts to produce durable, supple leather with a rich finish and enhanced longevity.
2. Combat Boots
Women’s combat boots combine rugged durability with stylish versatility, making them a popular choice for both practical wear and fashion-forward outfits.
Falon’s Fav Brands:
These need no intro! They are a total Falon Fave! Dress them down with Skinnies or dress them up with a maxi! SHOP HERE
Dwarves is a high quality shoe brand known for its handmade, high-quality footwear that emphasizes comfort, durability, and unique artisanal designs. We really love the worn leather look and feel of these boots. SHOP HERE
These are one of Falon’s favorites! SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Women’s combat boots are typically made from durable leathers such as full-grain, top-grain, or nubuck, which provide strength, longevity, and resistance to harsh conditions.
Tanning Process: The tanning process for durable leathers like full-grain, top-grain, or nubuck involves either vegetable tanning, which uses natural tannins from plant materials for a firm and eco-friendly finish, or chrome tanning, which employs chromium salts for a more supple and water-resistant leather.
3. Sandals
A women’s shootie is a hybrid footwear style that combines elements of a shoe and an ankle boot, typically featuring a low-cut design that covers the ankle but not the calf.
Falon’s Fav Brands:
These are SO cute, comfy, and go with anything! Falon owns multiple Beek sandals and loves each one! Worth every penny. SHOP HERE
You can’t go wrong with Olukai! Sandals or flipfops are all high quality, durable, and comfortable! SHOP HERE
I LOVE these sandals! Nisolo women’s sandals are crafted with high-quality, ethically sourced leather and designed for both style and comfort, emphasizing sustainable and fair trade practices. SHOP HERE
SO many favorites! Falon owns a few rustic BedStu sandals, and they are such high quality and very comfortable. They have the cutest unique detailing on them too! SHOP HERE
Types of Leather typically used:
Shooties are usually made from various types of leather, including full grain leather, suede, and patent leather, offering a range of textures and finishes.
Tanning Process: The tanning process for leather sandals involves cleaning hides, soaking them in tanning solutions to preserve and enhance durability, dyeing, drying, and finishing to achieve the final texture and appearance.
Final Thoughts
There are obviously countless leather choices for each type of shoe. Paul and I love the quality and will always recommend quality over quantity. Investing in the best quality of shoes is worth it in the long run. If you have any favorites, we’d love to hear about them! Leave a comment!
Love ya’ll!
– Falon and Paul
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