best leather hiking boots 2024

Are you looking for the best leather hiking boots? I get it. Leather hiking boots may be the traditional choice, but they're still a great choice (and probably always will be) for hikers and backpackers. Leather is durable, protective, conforms to your feet over time, and is naturally water resistant and breathable. That's a solid match for day hikers and backpackers.

Luckily for you, I've worn many leather hiking boots, know most brands' best-sellers, and have sold a bazillion hiking boots as a Gearhead at Backcountry and footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors. You'll find plenty of leather hiking boots sprinkled throughout my recommendations for the best hiking boots. My short list below whittles those recommendations down to a six-pack of leather hiking boots that have worked well for my customers and me:

Quick Preview: Best Leather Hiking Boots

best leather hiking boots

Hey, a list is a great place to start your search for a new pair of leather hiking boots. The key, though, is finding hiking boots that fit your feet and match your hikes.

That's why I've added mini-reviews of the best leather hiking boots— to help you figure out which ones might work (and might not work) for your feet, your budget, and your hikes. Check out the product descriptions below to learn more about the main benefits (and limitations) of each model along with my recommendations for each boot's "best match" and "best fit." You can also click on the affiliate links at the end of each entry to see available sizes, styles, and color options.

Here are my pro picks, based on my extensive hiking experience and my outdoor industry experience:  

KEEN Targhee

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, but 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. Targhees are available in standard and wide sizes and in two similar models: the older Targhee II is slightly wider, and the newer Targhee III has a little more leather and a more standard fit. When people recommend KEEN hiking boots, they probably mean the best-selling Targhee.

Oboz Bridger Mid

The Oboz Bridger is a comfortable mid-duty hiking boot that's sturdy enough for backpacking yet flexible enough for moderate to difficult day hiking. Thanks to Oboz's expensive, O-Fit insoles, plush 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, and it fits a range of feet since Oboz sells them in standard sizes (fits snug in the heel, standard in the forefoot) and in wide sizes. 

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La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX

The La Sportiva Nucleo High 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 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). 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. 

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Lowa Renegade Mid GTX

Most hikers picture the Lowa Renegade when they imagine leather hiking boots. The Renegade is a classic hiking and 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. If you add all that up, the Renegade easily ranks among the best leather hiking boots for backpackers. In fact, the Lowa Renegade was the first hiking boot named to Backpacker Magazine's Gear Hall of Fame!

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Vasque St. Elias

The St. Elias is another classic, mid-duty hiking and backpacking boot. Vasque is an established brand owned by Red Wing, an iconic Minnesota company that’s been making quality leather boots for more than a century. Like the Renegade (above), the St Elias is the kind of sturdy, reliable leather boot that hikers and backpackers have been wearing for a long time. (I trounced through several Arizona canyons in my pair, back in the day.) Vasque's regular sizing runs slightly narrow (but also available in wide) with above average weights (making them better for backpackers than day hikers). But there's plenty to like about the St Elias— it's paired premium, full-grain leather with a Gore Tex membrane and Vibram outsoles for a good, all-around backpacking boot with classic aesthetics.  

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Asolo TPS 520

Most hikers don't need a heavy-duty, full-grain leather backpacking boot. The Asolo TPS 520 is for the few who do. This heavy weight (~4 lbs) 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.

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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!