Where are you going? I'd suggest actually visiting the places you want to buy from and then you're actually not buying stuff for the sake of buying stuff.

If you're going to be in the Pacific northwest, I'd make a point of trying to find whites or nicks boots and trying them on. If you're in the northeast and around cities like New York, Boston, or Washington DC then I'd suggest visiting an Alden shoes store and trying those on. Thursdays are not bifl.