They read more pulled-together than canvas or synthetic counterparts but more laidback than dress shoes or loafers, which means you can wear the style while running errands, getting dinner, hitting the bars, or even taking meetings at the office. The best leather sneakers work just as well with shorts and jeans as they do with chinos or even slacks. Check under the tables at high-end restaurants across the world, and you’ll likely spot clean, crisp leather sneakers adorning many pairs of feet — making them the new business-casual gold standard.

Let’s get one thing straight, though: Leather sneakers for men and women are more than their good looks. The material is the most durable you can use for shoes, so you’ll get better mileage out of your leather kicks than the aforementioned canvas or synthetic options. The top pairs of leather sneakers, if properly cared for, can carry you around for more than a decade.

Given the footwear type’s ubiquity, there are a lot of leather sneakers to choose from online. Also making shopping matters more difficult is the fact that many are made from poor-quality fabrications, be it bad faux leather or low-grade real leather. Others might use decent leather but have haphazard construction that won’t last as long as it should.

To help you lock down only the best of the best in the realm of leather sneakers, we rounded up some of the most stylish and well-made silhouettes to buy right now, including everything from classics by Adidas and Nike to premium picks courtesy of Crown Northampton and Veja.

Best overall

Adidas Samba OG Shoe

$100

Buy now at adidas

Adidas has been on top of the sneaker world over the last few years. Its classics, epitomized by the Samba, are exactly what most people are looking for as far as versatile simplicity is concerned. The Samba OG is the original version of the shoe, featuring a leather upper (sometimes all suede, sometimes a mix of suede and genuine leather). Most users report a very long lifespan on the style, and our Footwear News staffers, who have owned multiple pairs, relate to this experience. Despite the shoe’s narrower-than-average profile, the Samba will grant ample support for long days on your feet.

Price upon publish date of this article: $100

Best high-end sneaker

Crown Northampton Overstone Derby Shoe

$456

Buy Now at crown northampton

If you’re after the true crème de la crème of leather sneakers, check out Crown Northampton’s bestselling kicks, chief among them the Overstone Derby. It’s handmade in the U.K. using first-grade suede and leather that’s been meticulously sourced from only the best tanneries. The shoe’s construction is equally considered, guaranteeing that it will last longer than any mass-market pair. Add in that ultra-minimal look, and you get a dress-shoe-killer of a sneaker that feels elevated in just about any environment: be it the boardroom or a five-star hotel.

Price upon publish date of this article: $456

Adidas

The classic

Adidas Stan Smith Shoe

$100

Buy men’s at adidas

$100

Buy women’s at adidas

The earliest leather sneaker is still on top. Adidas’ Stan Smith was the first leather sneaker revealed to the public (although it was initially called the Robert Haillet), and it came back into vogue around 15 years ago — when people started ditching dressier steppers for tennies. Today, you’ll still see the Stan Smith everywhere in trend-aware metropolitan areas, from London to the Big Apple. The shoe has very few seams, which boosts its durability, and that smooth leather looks best after a year or two of scuffs and creasing. With wear, the time-tested sensation will also better mold to the shape of your foot, becoming seriously comfortable.

Price upon publish date of this article: $100

Best chunky Sneaker

Nike Air Force 1 Sneaker

$115

Buy men’s at nike

$115

Buy women’s at nike

This right here is one of the only other shoes besides the Adidas Stan Smith to have sold more than 100 million pairs since its debut. And, due in no small part to the Swoosh sportswear giant’s commitment to excellence, the chunky, solid design of its Air Force 1 is even better now than it was when the leather sneaker landed in 1982. The AF1 is sold in a vast range of colorways, but the all-white option is still our favorite.

Price upon publish date of this article: $115

Best value

Quince Italian Leather Everyday Sneaker

$100

Buy now at quince

On the hunt for a soft-spoken pair of leather sneakers that won’t break the bank? Check out this crowd pleaser from Quince. The brand sources its pieces from factories making similar styles for luxury labels, cuts out the middlemen with a direct-to-consumer business model, and is thus able to sell almost-identical goods for a significantly lower price. Quince’s Leather Everyday Sneaker is a shining example of why the marketplace has become so popular. This particular version flaunts Italian calfskin leather that’s supple and comfort-driven. Purchase it in perforated form for all-day breathability, wherever the day takes you.

Price upon publish date of this article: $100

Best slip-on

Vans Classic Slip-On Shoe

$65

Buy now at vans

We’re lifelong fans of Vans’ iconic slip-on sneaker over here, and this leather iteration provides an easy way of elevating the traditional canvas style. It still leans more casual (as a skateboarding shoe), which means the slip-on will operate best alongside clothing like baggy denim. Being the most affordable selection on this list at just $65, you won’t feel bad about throwing the Vans cult-fave around a bit. Those holes dotting the upper, meanwhile, will put foot sweat in the rearview mirror — once and for all.

Price upon publish date of this article: $65

Also Consider

Veja Campo Shoe

$175

Buy men’s at zappos

$175

Buy women’s at zappos

Another leader in leather sneakers is Veja. The French shoe destination became a Parisian staple years ago, which of course means it now floods city streets stateside. And for good reason: Veja’s top sellers, like the Campo pictured above, can match all kinds of outfit equations, from the everyday to the dressy, while keeping around-the-clock wearability top of mind. Veja teams up with ethical tanneries in southern Brazil and Uruguay, incorporating a high level of eco-consciousness into its entire production process. Experience this difference for yourself, for under $200.

Price upon publish date of this article: $175

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Why Trust Footwear News

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail, and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Oscar Hartzog is a Managing Commerce Editor at Penske Media Corporation, overseeing lifestyle and commerce content across WWD, Footwear News, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard. After a decade in the space, Hartzog has reviewed thousands of products spanning categories like fashion, fitness, spirits, and travel. He is passionate about helping people spend hard-earned dollars on purchases that live up to their hype, whether it’s a T-shirt, a bottle of whiskey, or a gift for a loved one. Hartzog graduated from The American University of Paris with a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and philosophy.

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Recent Articles by Oscar Hartzog

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