I like the tanned leather as I feel it's easier and cheaper to maintain than nubuck or reversed grain. I also appreciate the largely single piece construction of the upper. The tongue lacks bellows which allows more debris than usual to get inside the boot. I've never understood why boot manufacturers almost always insist on having a leather internal collar -- as is the case here. Invariably, the leather cracks as a result of perspiration, especially if the boots are used for extended backpacking trips. This is easily avoided by running fabric up to the cuff. Even more confounding is the allegiance these boot manufacturers have to Vibram brand soles. The "pieced" Vibram soles on these Raichles began separating on the first off-trail hike on which I wore them. Since then, traversing rocky headlands on the Olympic Wilderness Coast has led to even greater chunks of tread pulling loose. Over the years this is the pathetic level of durability I've come to expect from Vibram soles. The old Skywalk soles on certain Vasque products were far superior, but today Vibram seems inexplicably to have the market cornered.