5 Unique Benefits of Leather Sole Shoes
The foot health movement is growing (hooray!), thanks to the influx of new barefoot shoe brands, educators, and new research showing the benefits of having strong, healthy feet. The reality of this foot-first movement is that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as everyone has unique feet with different needs. We have long been proud to offer a wide range of leather footwear that vary in width, stack height, cushion, and more, in attempt to offer something for every foot.
One of our most unique options is our bullhide leather-soled shoes, which replace your standard rubber-soled style with a thin piece of durable leather underfoot. Also known as grounding shoes or earthing shoes, these styles offer one of the most grounded, minimalistic experiences in barefoot-style footwear. They are designed to put as little between your feet and the earth as possible, allowing for a truly natural connection to the ground underneath.
We are thrilled to expand our leather sole shoe offerings to our signature, extra-wide Primal sole shape with our new leather-soled Primal RunAmoc. Wondering if leather-soled shoes are right for you? Here are five reasons why we think you will love them.
1. A Personalized, Glove-Like Fit
We use leather as the primary material for our shoes in large part due to it’s durable, malleable properties. Leather stretches and molds to your feet, creating a personalized, glove-like fit. Using leather on our outsoles extends this benefit to the soles of your feet. As they’re worn, the soft bullhide leather soles gently form around the contours of the feet, creating a tailored feel and fit that accommodates the wearer’s natural gait.
2. Grounding / Earthing Shoes
Grounding, also known as earthing, is the theory that allowing your body to connect with the Earth’s surface physically can offer health benefits by allowing for the free flow of electricity. Leather, when wet or damp, is a naturally conductive material, and while we don’t claim to be experts in grounding, many of our customers have tested the leather soles of our shoes for grounding conductivity and reported successful results.
3. Flexible Soles
Shoe flexibility is among the most important features of barefoot shoes, as it allows your foot to move and flex naturally though its full range of motion. Wearing stiff, restrictive shoes can prevent your feet from using the muscles they should be, sometimes leading to muscle atrophy.
While we are proud to offer flexible rubber compound sole options, the flexibility of our leather soles is unmatched. They are a great alternative to going completely barefoot while still giving you the same sense of increased proprioception and feedback and providing light protection against the elements.
4. Exceptional Ground Feel
Along with flexibility, the soft, thin nature of our leather soles allow for exceptional ground feel, which refers to how much of the surface texture you can sense through the soles of your feet. Your feet relay information to your brain about what they sense when you walk and run, and your body reacts accordingly. These shoes are especially popular among dancers, trail runners, and other hobbyists who require a strong foot-to-ground connection for performance.
5. Natural, Non-Toxic Materials
We're known for our commitment to crafting our footwear from natural materials. Our leather-soled shoes are no exception, with the entirety of the shoes uppers and soles being made from non-toxic, sustainably-sourced leather. Better for your body and better for the planet!
Leather Shoes For All Occasions
Have we convinced you about the amazing benefits of leather-soled shoes? We have options from dressy flats to athletic trainers to classy boots to help bring the comfort of leather soles to any occasion.
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New
Adult PRIMAL RunAmoc - Leather Sole
Starting at $205.00 -
Adult Ballerine Flat - Leather Sole
Starting at $195.00 -
Adult Dahlia Sandal - Leather Sole
$140.00 -
Adult Hawthorne Chukka - Leather Sole
$200.00 -
Adult DASH RunAmoc - Leather Sole
Starting at $190.00
Anna joined the Softstar team in 2022 approximately a year after graduating from Oregon State University with a dual degree in Marketing and Management. She grew up on a local, rural farm and her passions include exploring the Oregon outdoors, traveling, sports, and playing instruments.
I don't take a stance on Grounding one way or the other, but there is definitely benefit to having the most comfortable footwear that allows for natural movement.
I own 2 pairs of the Dash RunAmoc with leather soles and I absolutely love how they feel and move. And I can get away with wearing them to the office, where nobody really questions any leather shoe and I can flex and move my feet while I'm sitting. I'd be excited to try the more athletic Primal RunAmoc with a similar sole!
Thanks for the kind words, and we love to hear that you're able to wear your leather-soled Dash RunAmocs to the office! The leather-soled Primal RunAmoc will be here whenever you're ready. :)
Elf Anna
Thanks for your question. Yes, the leather sole can be slippery in some conditions, especially on smooth surfaces. The leather soles are also not completely waterproof like rubber soles, so if you are exposing them to water for extended periods of time, water will likely eventually soak through. We recommend that folks stick to dry, textured surfaces with these shoes to avoid the risk of slipping. I hope that helps!
Elf Anna