I just bought a new pair of hiking boots. They are as light as a feather, and I think there may not be any leather in them at all. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned, and I'm guessing their support is derived from plastic and other high tech material, but whether it's recycled, I don't know. I won't know until later if they will retain their current support, as I've only had them a week and used them 5 times. I'm holding my breath, because they cost $260. My last pair were LL Bean, which cost a few bucks more. But at this time, I would rate my new boots head and shoulders above LL Bean's Cresta Hikers. The Bean boots weigh twice as much, because they rely heavily on leather. But modern outdoor gear has been moving rapidly toward newer high tech materials, and leather (the old standby), will probably be around for awhile because of tradition.