I don't like leather ones either. I really prefer metal but I'm in between sizes. I put a bandaid on and then put the bigger one on but it just didn't work out. I tried the 'nimble thimble' which is shaped sort of like a regular thimble but is leather with a metal tip, and after just a little bit of stitching, the end ripped out. I emailed the company and got no reply. So now I have a clover thimble that has metal on the end and rubber on the sides but I haven't tried it yet.