Best Leather Hiking Boots 2025

Leather hiking boots may be the traditional choice, but they're still a great choice for hikers and backpackers—and always will be. Leather is durable, protective, naturally water resistant and breathable, and conforms to your feet over time. Those qualities make leather hiking boots the best option for many hikers and backpackers. I've been wearing leather hiking boots for two decades—and still wear them—as an avid hiker who works in the outdoor industry. So ignore all the boot shamers online who believe everyone should hike in trail runners. My short list of the best leather hiking boots showcases solid options for each weight class and several different hiking styles. 

Best Leather Hiking Boots

Working in the outdoor gear industry and hiking more than 1000 miles per year, I've personally worn most of the best hiking boots on the market. Based on my extensive hiking experience and professional experience, the best leather hiking boots for recreational hikers and backpackers are the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro GTX, KEEN Targhee IV, Oboz Bridger, Danner Mountain 600, La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX, LOWA Renegade, and Asolo TPS 520. Scroll through the mini-reviews below to figure out which boots are most likely to fit your feet, your budget, and your hiking style.

SCARPA RUSH 2 PRO GTX

Best Lightweight Leather Hiking Boot

New for 2025, the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro is a leather version of the Rush 2—one of my favorite lightweight hiking boots. The Rush is much lighter than most Scarpa hiking boots but has plenty of support and traction for tougher trails. The pro version's nubuck leather adds a couple ounces but is still relatively agile on my hiking feet during my test hikes in New Mexico. I have more than 700 miles of personal exerience with the Rush series and especially like them on moderate to difficult trails with plenty of rock. If you're looking for a leather hiking boot that's both lightweight yet supportive, it's tough to beat the Scarpa Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX. It's the most athletic leather hiking boot that I've tested and reviewed. 

For more, see my full Scarpa Rush 2 Pro review. 

KEEN TARGHEE IV

Leather Hiking Boot with Wide Toe Box

I sold a ton of Targhees when I managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. KEEN's most popular hiking boot features lots of leather and all-day comfort, thanks to its cushioned midsoles and thick outsoles. The wide toe boxes with protective toe bumpers not only can save your toes from stubs, jams, and broken nails. They also accommodate wide feet and swollen feet as the miles pile up. Targhees aren't the best choice for people who hike hard trails and high miles, but they work well for the average day hiker. When people recommend KEEN hiking boots, they probably mean the best-selling Targhee.

OBOZ BRIDGER

Best Midweight Leather Hiking Boot

The Oboz Bridger is a comfortable leather hiking boot that's sturdy enough for backpacking yet flexible enough for moderate to difficult day hiking. I should know—I've hiked more than 2,000 miles in Oboz's flagship hiking boot. Thanks to Oboz's expensive, O-Fit insoles, cushy midsoles, and sturdy outsoles, it has one of most comfortable footbeds in the industry. It's not the tallest boot and features Oboz's proprietary BDry waterproofing instead of GORE-TEX. Overall, though, it's the most durable hiking boot that I've owned— my first pair lasted more than 1200 miles! It's hard to beat the Bridger for comfort, durability, and value. 

For more, see my full Oboz Bridger review. 

DANNER MOUNTAIN 600

Best Casual Leather Hiking Boot

The Danner Mountain 600 is the quintessential brown leather hiking boot with red laces. Cross-listed as both a hiking boot and an outdoor lifestyle )casual) boot, it combines the look of a traditional, heavy-duty hiking boot with more of a light-duty build for everyday comfort on the trail or the street. It features Danner's proprietary waterproofing, Vibram rubber outsoles, and suede leather for a look that's at home at the cabin, in the woods, or at the brew pub. If you want a leather hiking boot that looks like a traditional hiking boot but doesn't feel like one, give the Danner Mountain 600 a good luck. 

LA SPORTIVA NUCLEO HIGH GTX

Best Lightweight Leather Backpacking Boot

The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX has the highest cut of any lightweight hiking boot, making it a great pick for hikers who want a lighter boot without losing the ankle support of a mid-duty hiking boot. The nubuck uppers wrap hikers' feet in soft and protective leather, and the Nucleo features premium GORE-TEX Surround (Gore's most breathable waterproofing) and Vibram Megagrip outsoles (known for its industry-leading traction on dry and wet surfaces). I've personally done plenty of day hiking and backpacking in the Nucleo—a good-looking leather hiking boot. Fitting tip: Sportivas run small and narrow, so size up. Wide sizes accommodate wide feet or hikers with standard feet who want a roomier fit. 

For more, see my full Nucleo High review. 

Check size and color options:

LOWA RENEGADE GTX

Best Leather Backpacking Boot

Most hikers picture the LOWA Renegade when they imagine leather hiking boots. It was the first hiking boot named to Backpacker Magazine's Gear Hall of Fame! The Renegade is a classic backpacking boot that features premium leather uppers, waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX, and Vibram outsoles. While most hiking boots feature EVA foam cushion, the Renegade's midsoles feature sturdier PU foam, which is more durable and environmentally friendly (but not as cushy). It's the complete package — and available in several widths to help you nail the right fit. I've personally owned two pairs of the LOWA Renegade and agree with Backpacker that it's a classic leather hiking boot for backpackers. 

For more, see my full LOWA Renegade review. 

Check men's size and color options:

ASOLO TPS 520

Full-Grain Leather Trekking Boot

Most hikers don't need a heavy-duty, full-grain leather backpacking boot. The Asolo TPS 520 is for the few who do. I sold several of these hiking boots when I managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. This heavy weight is rigid from heel to toe, giving hikers considerable foot and ankle protection and extra support for heavy packs on harsh terrain. The full grain leather stands out, too, offering premium durability, foot protection, and badass looks. This classic leather backpacking boot is overkill for the average hiker and easier trails. However, it's rock solid for those hardcore backpackers, trail crews, and off trail hikers who need a bomb-proof boot for gnarly trails and large loads.

finding the best leather hiking boots for YOU

My list of recommended hiking boots is designed to help you find the best leather hiking boots... for you.

Towards that end, Hiking Feet more or less mirrors what I did as the footwear manager at an outdoor gear shop. My “short lists” help you narrow your choices down to the few best options in a specific niche of hiking footwear–in this case, the best leather hiking boots. I can’t fit you online (obviously), but my mini-reviews suggest "best matches" and "best fits" to help you pinpoint pairs most likely to match where you hike and how you hike and to fit your unique feet. 

Have you found your next hiking boot? If so, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). These commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the right hiking boots or shoes). If this site hooked you up with good intel and good recommendations, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!