these shoes are good entry level to mid range shoes. They stretch a lot, boy do I wish I'd gotten them smaller. Here's my advice there, try on some and if they feel tight enough and/or hurt a litle, force yourself to buy the next size down at least. I guess thats unlined leathr for you. About the leather, it is crappy, but works, and it also turns your feet cheeto orange. These guys don't smell tho, like my mugens. The rubber is great, they smear very well, but not much of an insole, so they don't edge too great, pretty flexy. My major fit complaint is the baggy heel no matter how small you size them, and they stink for heel hooks (not much rubber). They are not too durable, and I wouldn't say they are worth the $115 I paid for them except for the quality of the rubber. They are now so comfy (due to stretching) that I've relegated them as my comfort/allday/crack climbing shoe. They are pretty well suited for cracks.