I mean yeah, it’s not harming an animal actively, it can be argued that it would be a waste to just discard the item? If someone owns some hand-me-down leather boots that have lasted them a decade the amount of damage they’ve offset by not buying a dozen pairs of petroleum based boots is worth something.

Does dignity factor in for animals? Would people feel different if the boots were made of dog leather? What if you can’t wear petrol based footwear cause you work at the smeltery and normal shoes will combust? What if carnists see your cool skin boots and decide cool skin boots are in this fall and go out and buy them in droves?

I’m starting to get a little silly with it, but I think there are valid questions here.