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Hussar305 t1_ixkq3gu wrote

I'd say Red Wing Iron Rangers would be the most reasonable BIFL boot available. You can always get it re-soled after the soles wear out. People wills say to buy 2 pairs and alternate them for longevity, as you'll be giving one pair a day to air out between wears.

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FluffyDebate5125 t1_ixktax0 wrote

Had a pair for over 6 years, probably wear them 4 or 5 times a week, cold winters in the north, in the desert, in a variety of cities. I’m someone who walks a lot — 20k steps a day, so they’ve been through a lot. I’ve reheeled them twice and resoled them twice. The leather has started to crack a little bit, which might be because I wasn’t diligent enough about brushing them down or because they are just slightly to big for me. Regardless I love them and my pair will probably last me another year or so.

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splitsleeve t1_ixlpq85 wrote

These would destroy my feet working. I have a pair of these for dressier occasions, super soles that I wear almost 100% of the time outside of work, and dynaforce for work.

The rangers are durable and look nice- but they feel like walking on concrete, even after an extensive break in period.

Super soles are quiet, super comfortable, and usually last 5-7 years if taken care of.

The dynaforce get destroyed at work and need replaced every year or two- but I work in an environment that eats boots.

All three are resoleable, but I never wear the iron rangers.

Edit: super soles are not rebuildable*

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zombienudist t1_ixvmmby wrote

That’s because you need to strengthen your feet. We tend to over cushion our feet and that leads to issues. Add in age, excess weight and our feet take a beating. Cushion is great but it can lead to bad habits in stride that can create further issues. Runners see this when they try and transition to minimal running shoes and the figure out the heel striking they do with a big cushioned shoe they can’t do with in a minimal one. So it changes the way you stride and you are better for that as it shows you the things you can’t do or are only getting away with because you are bubble wrapping your feet.

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splitsleeve t1_ixvzdd8 wrote

Interesting.

How would one go about doing so?

For some context, I work 50+ hours/week in boots on concrete, and am barefoot the fast majority of the time otherwise.

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zombienudist t1_ixw3erb wrote

Being barefoot doesn’t mean your feet are under load. So people are usually barefoot when at home or just hanging around. So minimal steps at minimal intensity. Our feet evolved to work with minimal covering so cushion does not need to be there. On the flip side cushion tends to allow for bad habits when walking and running as the cushion protects but long term those habits can be bad.

There are many ways to strengthen your feet. But the more time you can spend doing things with intensity in minimal shoes or barefoot can increase foot strength. So getting minimal running shoes and working out in them or running short distances in them and slowly increasing it. But i really think foot health is neglected. I largely wear nothing with cushion and spend much of my days on my feet at 47. Also am a runner and do that in minimal shoes with little to no foot pain. I wouldn’t do a marathon in them but I routinely do 10-15kms at a time in them without issue or foot pain.

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ElStig-LePig t1_iyakc8r wrote

Supersoles are resolable(?) I work for Redwing and we send them in all the time for resoles. In fact, I just saw a fresh resole walk out yesterday on a pair of 2231s.

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splitsleeve t1_iyaw2b9 wrote

Huh. I was going off of the website that says anything with welt isn't 🤷‍♂️

Good to know. Mine will be due for some soles here in another year or so.

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ElStig-LePig t1_iyawzvs wrote

That's funny 😂 I think you misread? 😅 The point of welted footwear is that they're resolable lol. I hope you do resole them!

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splitsleeve t1_iyaxep9 wrote

Yep. 100% misread that.

Ha.

I love my supersoles. They're incredibly comfortable and soft to walk in.

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ElStig-LePig t1_iyaycpx wrote

I love them too! I really want a pair of 606s for working in :)

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splitsleeve t1_iyayl6m wrote

That's what I've got for working around the house!

They're worth every penny.

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yepimasian t1_ixmgi8d wrote

If you go with Iron Rangers, cedar shoe trees add to the longevity. They wick away moisture, prevent mold, help the shoe keep it's shape, and prevents the leather from cracking.

Shoes trees and a horsehair brush will go a long way with those boots. Second on rotating boots as well.

I own a few pairs of red wings and advocate for them, but iron rangers aren't the most comfortable even after break in.

For work, I would suggest thorogoods (more budget friendly), nicks, whites (they released a moc toe that's competitively priced).

If you get a moc toe, the white crepe wedge soles do wear down a little faster than a rubber tread sole like the iron rangers, but are far more comfortable. Also, those all these can be resoled relatively easily if you know a decent cobbler.

Edit: Just checked and whites boots currently has a sale until 11/29.

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Potential_Wave_3662 t1_ixmoyny wrote

Are they waterproof or at least water-resistant? Because I'm looking for a pair of boots that I could also use in the rain

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