The pros and cons of leather soles against rubber soles in terms of comfort, durability, elegance, etc. are hotly contested. In order for you to better comprehend the reality behind both alternatives, let's divide it into the major themes that are frequently debated, labelling both the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Comfort
Leather Pro’s: It's common to see sole leather as a stiff material that doesn't allow for cushioning or comfort. The issue with this line of reasoning is that it neglects to consider the fact that, despite the fact that sole leather was designed to be tough, it is still only a skin and can conform to your foot, allowing for natural contouring to occur (as it is a natural product). Hence, it may be coupled with cork to make an extremely flexible foot bed that is really much more comfortable than its rubber equivalent. Yet, this also assumes that the arch support is adequate.
Leather Con’s: The disadvantage of leather is that, if not done correctly (or without cork and a thin sole), it may be quite inflexible and not actually provide much in the way of comfort if not accompanied by right fitting lasts/certain shoe constructions, etc. A flat last with no arch support, a thin sole, and Blake stitching will be one of the most uncomfortable things you've ever worn. On the other hand, the most comfortable shoes you can buy leather shoes online will have a double leather sole, a Goodyear welted construction, and a last with adequate arch support.
Rubber Pro’s: Rubber frequently requires little break-in time since it is flexible straight away. So, even if a shoe is hand welted, you often do not feel as stiff when it has a rubber sole. Some people may find it to be pleasant due to its durability. Furthermore, it provides better shock absorption, so you don't feel the pavement's roughness as much as you could with a leather sole when you step.
Rubber Con’s: Rubber cannot conform to your feet the way a leather sole can, regardless of whether it is described as natural or synthetic. As a result, while the insole may adapt to your feet, the sole never changes, and with time, the rigidity of this lack of shaping can become rather painful. As a result, a rubber sole will frequently feel pleasant in the morning, but if you were to stay on your feet all day in one, the rubber's non-forming stiffness would cause your feet to weary.
Durability
Leather Pro’s: The thickness of the leather you use determines how strong it is. Any rubber sole will not last as long as a triple leather sole. A decent double leather sole with toe taps would thus accomplish the same. Hence, the strength increases exponentially as the number of layers of leather increases.
Leather Con’s: Contrary to its benefit, a leather sole's fragility increases with the number of layers or thickness. Since they walk so much and in so many conditions, some guys wear out the greatest soles (think top brands) in a matter of months. As best leather shoes online absorbs water, even the slightest fractures or damaged seams might eventually allow water to enter your soles.
Rubber Pro’s: A quality rubber sole is practically unbreakable (not really but close). You can actually put a lot of pressure on rubber, and it will hold up because of its nature and intended use.
Rubber Con’s: It is over if it breaks. It can also occasionally break for no apparent reason. Or if you attempt to dry it after it has been wet (imagine leaving your shoes on the heater). We have seen rubber soles that initially appeared to be in fine condition suddenly fracture, at which point they are very well damaged because the fissures will only deepen.
Elegance/Formality
Leather Pro’s: While manufacturing formal shoes, leather soles are invariably the material of choice since they are the pinnacle of elegance and formality. Some schools of thought contend that the more refined/formal the shoe, the thinner and tighter the construction (consider cemented or blind welt). The more formal and elegant (not sticking out from the shape of the last), but I don't think tiny, thin soles are elegant. The most exquisite sole, on the other hand, would be produced by Gaziano & Girling or even Carmina, who provide a Goodyear welted sole that is seemingly extremely thin and fits the last form closely.
Leather Con’s: If the sole is not trimmed closely to the last, in my opinion, it simply looks weird and quite unattractive. To preserve the appropriate level of formality and elegance, the cut must be done correctly.
Rubber Pro’s: Traditionalists may argue that rubber soles cannot be formal or beautiful. While usually, we would agree with this, there have been certain manufacturers who have sourced rubber soles that, when viewed from the side and at a distance of approximately 5 feet (1.52 m), it was impossible to determine whether they were made of rubber or leather. It dispels the notion since rubber may be employed in a sophisticated environment as long as the sole retains a thin appearance.
Rubber Con’s: 90% of the time, rubber soles give the shoe a certain amount of chunkiness that just makes it look plain casual.
About Garspelle
The goal while introducing Garspelle to the globe was to deliver top-notch products. The goal was to provide clients with high-end goods at reasonable prices. Our artisans collaborate with expert shoemakers from across the world to ensure that each shoe we produce meets international standards while being reasonably priced.
Made with pride in India for the entire world.
