7 Best Leather Sneakers For Men, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
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When it comes to men's leather sneakers, you can expect every brand to have a fine selection of these joints. After all, a guy's shoe pile will never be complete without a pair of good-looking leather kicks. The problem is, with thousands of options, finding the best one can be so darn difficult. But don't worry, this all changes with the help of RunRepeat.
If you're looking for the best overall or the most value for money, we have got you covered. We even went above and beyond to find the best slip-on and high-top leather sneaks for you.
Table of contents How we test sneakersBest overallBest retroBest high topBest classicBest low topBest valueMost popularComparison
Overview
How we test sneakers
Shoe manufacturers will tell you all the good stuff about the shoes, but they will never reveal their flaws. That's where we come in.
A team of nitpicking shoe nerds, we just enjoy getting into the nitty-gritty details of each men's leather shoe. As such, you can expect most of our top picks to be chosen based on the following methods:
- Opinions from users all around the globe
- Wear tests done by our in-house shoe experts
- Tests carried out in our private lab
Besides that, we buy most of the shoes on the list for wear-testing. That way we can really check if the shoe is worth all the hype.
Best men's leather sneakers overall
Corescore
Pros
- Classic silhouette
- Numerous colorways and collaborations
- Easy to style
- Durable
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Runs large
- Lack of support
- Takes some time to wear in
What makes it the best overall?
The Adidas Stan Smith is a legendary sneaker with a claim to fame as the original white tennis shoe for the masses. Culture has respected that for the last 50 years the Stan Smith is still as relevant today as it was when the man was winning trophies. It's fair to say that with its robust design and sleek looks, it's probably going to last another 50.
Best retro leather sneakers for men
Corescore
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Super durable skate shoe
- Extra comfortable inner sole
- Flexible
- Relatively breathable
- Many colorways to choose from
- Still the same Vans we love
- Easy to clean
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Can be hard to put on
- Parts of it still susceptible to stains
What makes it the best retro?
The Vans Old Skool Pro is an update on their legendary original skate shoe. While other companies are going higher and higher-tech, Vans continues to pump out classics, just improving on what came before. The best part is that you can pick up a pair of these skate sneakers and wear the same silhouette that's been around for decades. At the same time, you have improved comfort, durability, and weatherproofing!
Best leather high top sneakers for men
Vans SK8-Hi
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$39
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$45
Stadium Goods
$49
Sun and Ski
Free shipping
$57
Corescore
Pros
- Classic silhouette that works with any wardrobe
- Fits true to size
- Breathable
- Durable
- Comfortable when broken in
- Padded collar for ankle support
- An easy silhouette even for a hi-top
Cons
- Takes time to put on
- Can take time to wear in
- Not good in wet weather
What makes it the best high top?
The Vans Sk8-Hi is the original subculture sneaker. Built as a super-padded skate shoe it was soon adopted by the punk rock scene for its large space on which to customize. Today it's not just a piece of history but a versatile and easy-going silhouette that works with almost any outfit. Not only that but it's strong enough to last years of use and abuse.
Best classic leather sneakers for men
Reebok Club C 85
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$59
Journeys
$70
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$80
Stadium Goods
$85
Corescore
Pros
- Ideal price point
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Durable construction
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Surprisingly breathable
- OK for sockless wear
Cons
- Lacks modern inner shanks for support
- Slightly loose fit
What makes it the best classic?
The Reebok Club C85 is a piece of history. Made to fit in with the cleanest, upper-class circles the sneaker world took hold of the Club C85 and hasn't let go. From skaters to rappers, this sneaker has gone the distance and continues to do so, comfortable, durable, and stylish it's all you need.
Best leather low top sneakers for men
Adidas Busenitz
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$55
Stadium Goods
$55
Shoebacca
Free shipping & returns
$60
Adidas
Free shipping and returns
$85
Corescore
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Fits true to size
- Grippy as anything
- Technical shoe for responsive skating
- Surprisingly weatherproof
- Classic silhouette
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Takes a long time to break it
- Narrow in the toe box
- The big tongue isn't for everyone
- Not very breathable
What makes it the best low top?
The Adidas Busentiz has been around for a while. It stands on its own against modern skate shoes because of its durability and versatility. More than anything it's a really clean-looking sneaker that works just as well on a night out as it does in a skatepark. It helps that the shoe is easy to clean, sturdy, and has loads of cushioning to keep you comfy and supported.
Best value leather sneakers for men
Nike Air Max 97
Nike
$99
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$100
Stadium Goods
$110
Amazon
Free shipping
$111
Corescore
Pros
- Good all-season sneaker
- Good for sockless wear
- An identifiable piece of fashion history
- Fits true to size
- Near indestructible
- Lightweight
- Feels as athletic as it looks
- Great even for winter
Cons
- Takes some time to wear in
- Attaches to stains easily
What makes it the best value?
What else can be said about the Nike Air Max 97 that hasn't been said before, the shoe has literally had books written about it. It's an athletic, versatile, and comfy sneaker that looks incredible in so many colorways. There's a reason it's been one of Nike's most popular sneakers for decades. Like others in its family, this is a silhouette that will stay relevant for years to come and work with most wardrobes.
Most popular leather sneakers for men
Nike Air Max 90
Nike
$99
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$104
Amazon
Free shipping
$105
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$110
Corescore
Pros
- Very durable
- Breathable
- The stuff of legends and rightly so
- Huge amounts of colorways
- Great price for a statement shoe
- Fits true to size
- Quality materials
- Easy to clean
- Stain resistant
Cons
- So stiff it asks for adjustment period
- Normal and wide feet find it too narrow
What makes it the most popular?
The Air Max 90 is a sneaker with a backstory. Everyone has seen it and most love it. If you grew up between 1990 and 2010 you probably wanted a pair. Each pair feels ready to last another 30 years, with breathability to boot. Regardless, Nike renews these year after year offering more and more options to whet any appetite.
