At Sanctum Shoes, leather is used because it is a material that performs well over time. We design footwear and leather items that are meant to be worn regularly and kept for many years. For this reason, material choice is important to us.
On this page, we explain why we use leather, how it compares to synthetic materials, and what we consider when working with this material.
Durability and Product Lifetime
We use leather because it performs consistently in footwear that is exposed to high stress, such as high boots, leather pumps, and high heels. These products are subject to constant movement, pressure, and friction, especially around the footbed, heel counter, and ankle area. Leather is able to absorb this stress without breaking down quickly.
In high heels and pumps, leather provides strength while remaining flexible. This is important for stability and comfort, especially when the shoe is worn for longer periods. Leather uppers adapt gradually to the shape of the foot, which improves fit over time without losing support or structure. This reduces pressure points and increases wearing comfort.
For high boots, leather offers durability across larger surface areas that move with the leg and ankle. The material maintains its shape better than many synthetic alternatives and is less likely to crack or peel when bent repeatedly. This helps the boot keep its appearance and functionality over extended use.
Because leather ages gradually rather than failing suddenly, our products can be worn longer and maintained when needed. Leather can be conditioned, polished, and repaired, which extends the usable life of the product. In comparison, plastic-based materials often show visible wear earlier and are difficult to restore once damaged.
A longer product lifetime is an important part of our material choice. When footwear lasts longer and remains wearable, it reduces the need for frequent replacement and supports a more sustainable use of materials over time.
Environmental Impact
The leather we use is a by-product of the meat industry. This means that the animal hides already exist as part of food production. By processing these hides into leather, an existing material is used instead of being discarded as waste. In this way, leather production makes use of resources that would otherwise have no further application.
From a lifecycle perspective, leather is a material that can last for many years when used correctly. Its durability reduces the need for frequent replacement, which lowers overall material consumption over time. Products made from leather are often worn longer and maintained rather than replaced, which contributes to a lower turnover of goods.
Synthetic-based alternatives are typically produced from fossil fuels. These materials are not biodegradable and can remain in the environment for decades or longer. During use and disposal, they may release microplastics, which are difficult to remove from ecosystems and can accumulate in soil and water. In addition, many synthetic materials lose their surface quality over time through cracking or peeling, which shortens their usable lifespan.
Leather production does require water, energy, and chemical processing, and we recognise that it has an environmental impact. However, when considering the full lifecycle of the material- including origin, durability, repairability, and end-of-life- leather remains a material that performs well in long-term use. For us, this long-term performance is an important factor when choosing materials.
Responsibility and Material Choice
Using leather comes with responsibility. The way leather is produced, processed, and used matters. For this reason, material quality and durability are important factors in our selection process.
At Sanctum Shoes, leather is chosen with the intention that products are used for a long time and properly maintained. We believe that making products that last longer is an important part of reducing waste and unnecessary consumption. Feel free to send us a message if you have questions regarding repairs or material usage.
