I'm intrigued, and also shocked that the prices are under $200 (I'm sure shipping will bring it up, but seems worth it so far)

I'll check them out, I've heard that some of their boots have the internal metatarsal guard, which I guess is better than none

I used to use ironlaces because they're great, but i kept burning through them, so I've swapped to KG Boot guard, they're FR treated, so even if they don't last as long as ironlaces with normal wear, they also me longer as a welder. I haven't had to tie my boots with Mig wire in almost a year now!

Nah, I don't have issues with stepping on things. Metatarsal protectors cover the top of the foot, and the external ones also keep the laces safe from sparks and stuff so they don't burn up. The cheapest pair of boots I've had with them were Irish setters that ran me like 140.

One of my coworkers does that, but his boots are almost never waterproof, even for a few weeks, and he goes through so many insoles just trying to make the cheap/surplus boots comfortable enough to walk in for 5-6 months before he gets a new pair. Plus, almost no cheap boots I've found have metatarsal guards.

The first pair lasted longer, but they were already a good 7 or 8 years old, as my dad used them for a few months of masonry work. My current pair, the leather is in better condition, but with all the sparks/heat and everything, the stitching has either frayed/torn, or burned and started to unravel.

There are some holes/tears in the leather on the heels and the sides from flexing/creasing over time. It's just the problems with being a welder, boots don't last.

And I can't even find a cobbler near me, and with the leather tearing and being worn through near the missing stitching, I don't know that it would go back together right.