A "shoe" is footware made of leather. Footware made of rubber and cloth is a "sneaker." It may try to look like a shoe, but it's sneaker. Those boots that are made in China with synthetic fabric and rubber -- they are sneakers, which are trying to look like boots. Boots are made of leather. The only place synthetics should be used is on the soles -- rubber soles can be more durable than leather soles. Not more comfortable -- they are not more comfortable than leather -- but more durable, because leather soles don't stand up when they get wet. They crack. In every other way, leather soles are superior. But when it comes to uppers, leather rules, and those faggy Asian slippers lose.