I love hearing clients or patrons talk down a leather sole deeming it uncomfortable before stepping into a pair. Just the blanket statement that "hard soles" are uncomfortable. It is just like when Antonio has spoken about how those who may not be accustomed to wearing a suit/sportcoat may think it is automatically uncomfortable from the get-go.
I have always been a leather sole man because of the added value of resoling a pair of shoes and lengthening the lifespan of a potential favorite pair.