Millions of people wait for winter so they can have a chance to show off their leather boots and use them to their fullest potential. And make no mistake, winter is arguably the best season to show off what makes leather boots so incredibly valuable. However, it’s not only possible but beneficial to wear your leather boots all year round.
The Versatility of Leather
One important thing to keep in mind is that leather is incredibly versatile. In fact, it may be the most versatile material in all of fashion. There’s a reason it’s used for so many different types of clothes and accessories; it’s because leather’s classic appearance and overall functionality make it suitable for a wide range of different environments and purposes.
Yes, your leather boots are especially valuable in winter. The thick, impenetrable leather serves as an insulator that keeps your feet warm. It protects your feet from snow and ice. It’s relatively easy to clean and maintain. And best of all, it keeps your feet looking great.
But these benefits don’t disappear just because the seasons change. Sure, the thickness of the leather to keep your feet warm isn’t as valuable in summer, but the other benefits remain just as strong. Additionally, leather boots can help your feet remain comfortable if you’re on long walks or hikes – no snow or ice required.
Toughness and Durability
Leather is incredibly tough and durable, assuming you’ve purchased a product made from a high-quality grade from a reliable craftsman. It can stand up to a lifetime of use, as long as you’re willing to take proper care of it.
It’s a bit ironic that many people purchase strong leather boots to wear in winter because they know the material can withstand a beating; yet, at the same time, they baby their boots to prevent them from wearing out too quickly.
Wearing your leather boots all year is technically going to wear them out faster, but as long as you make time to clean and condition them properly, you shouldn’t notice them deteriorating in quality.
Fashion and Formality
We can also examine this from a fashion and formality angle. Leather is famous for its fashionable timelessness; leather has never really been in fashion or out of fashion, because it’s such a versatile and valuable material that people have always and probably will always find a place for it. Similarly, leather is pristine and professional enough to suit a wide variety of formal occasions, yet it’s also practical and comfortable enough to suit informal occasions.
Keeping your leather boots in your wardrobe all year round simply gives you more outfit options.
Foot Protection
You need to take good care of your feet – and keeping them in leather boots is one way to do it, assuming those boots fit you properly. Good footwear, combined with regular exercise, proper form, and good hygiene can keep your feet in walking shape.
Timelessness (and Seasonlessness)
As we’ve mentioned, leather is widely considered a “timeless” fashion material, and for good reason. In a way, leather is a jack-of-all-trades material that can handle almost any conceivable scenario or event. Because of this, it also is a “seasonless” material. It may offer its best qualities front and center in winter, but those qualities are still evident the rest of the year.
The Caveats
There are a few caveats to this idea, however.
For example:
- Quality. The quality and overall craftsmanship of the product you buy play a heavy role in how much abuse the product is able to withstand. If you purchase leather boots made from top-grain leather from a genuine artisan who has a good reputation, you should feel much more comfortable wearing them throughout the year than someone who bought boots made of fake leather from a major brand that relies on industrial manufacturing.
- Purpose. Some leather boots are designed with versatility in mind, while others are very specific – and may not have enough functional range to cover all your needs. For example, you wouldn’t want to wear leather boots with heels if you’re going on a hiking trip in the middle of summer.
- Care. If you want your leather to last, you need to take proper care of it. That means making sure your leather boots aren’t exposed to the elements more than necessary, properly cleaning them when they are exposed, and regularly conditioning them. You should also get them repaired immediately upon discovering a defect.
As long as you’re willing to pay for better-quality leather products and you take good care of them, you should be able to wear your leather boots all year round. Show off one of the best items in your wardrobe and make it work for you!
