Durable shoes

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C40
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Post by C40 »

The simplest solution is always an option for us: walk barefoot. :-)
One of my college roomates did this. He worked at school and often walked there barefoot. A benefit was that his feet were tough as hell. (he could walk normally over a rock road (pointy, sharp rocks) that, for me, might as well have been hot coals.)


riparian
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Post by riparian »

I get dumpster shoes. People throw away a lot of good shoes!! My current pair are redwing hiking boots that were probly $200+ new and they've got at least a couple more years in them.


lilacorchid
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Post by lilacorchid »

@dragoncar - Or I'm in Canada and everything is more expensive?
@jennypenny - I don't change shoes at work. I'm in IT and they let us wear jeans (!) to work. I used to wear skate shoes to work, but I think my 30s are a little old for that. In either case, I'm not the worst dressed here; some of the men are A+ at being a tech, but get no help as far as appropriate office wear!
@C40 - You must live somewhere warm? At least 50% of the year it's too cold to go barefoot here!


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jennypenny
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Post by jennypenny »

@lilacorchid--I think C40 lives in the midwest, so not warm. I have this funny image of developing hobbit-looking feet after a couple of winters walking to work barefoot through the snow :)


JohnnyH
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Post by JohnnyH »

@dragon: My shoes always wear out at the heel. So far the heel is intact on the welt boots... Another exception: Vibram fivefingers KSO trek, that I've had for over 2 years with daily use in nice weather. I feel a little goofy in them and despite them being an discrete color people often freak out. Perhaps it's because they're snug and there is no room for the heel to rub? Either way, very impressed with these barefoot shoes, very durable.


JohnnyH
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by JohnnyH »

After 2nd annual sno-seal & polish... This is after 2 outdoor work seasons (roughly 500 hours hard duty) and 2 years (I think) almost daily use temps of (115 F in AZ to -20 F in MT)... Almost look new! Should last 6 years at the minimum, hopefully 12+ in retirement after resole(s)... Sole barely worn down... Sole (ha) concern is welt to sole thread on toe of boot is getting frayed by screes. I think I will try a bead of heavy duty polyurethane to protect the stitching.

Still look good enough to fly business class, so I am happy! (fabric laces are for dress occasions as they don't last, leather laces are only way to go).

Image

jacob
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by jacob »

@JohnnyH - I might have missed it above, but which brand/model are these boots? They look similar to my Hanwags(*). Vibram soles? I use standard shoe polish (Kiwi) and finish up with shoe grease. Nothing modern.

(*) Never had a problem with those coming apart externally (stitches, leather), but they're falling apart on the inside (worn out) after 15+ years of almost daily use.

Seneca
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Seneca »

I have a pair of 8" Vibram lug soled White's boots that could almost be considered BIFL IMO. If you were willing to do a boot, a 6-8" with mini-Vibrams might be the ultimate do it all shoe. They have a shoe they call "Semi-dress" that I will look in to in the future as well, though they don't look as bombproof-

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?di ... ory_id=446

I have a pair of all leather, Goodyear welt Mephisto shoes that are great office shoes, comfortable, long wearing and rebuildable.

Earlier in the thread it was mentioned leather soles wear out. You can have a cobbler add rubber panels to the front of the shoe that will make it wear longer and have much better traction in the wet/snow.

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jennypenny
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by jennypenny »

I love the White's Boots. I had my heart set on new oxblood Dr. Martens. Hmm

I have to add Sperry topsiders to the list. They may not be practical for a lot you, but they last forever. I also have Dr. Martens (forlife) and cowboy boots, and they've lasted me a long time.

Seneca
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Seneca »

Before you get too attached, the boots are very expensive, think $500. You could buy several pairs of docs.

My last serious boots were Vasque Sundowners, which though great boots, pale in comparison. I'm sure they'll last twice as long (making them cost the same).

We hiked the Inca Trail in 2011, and while none of our fellow tourists took notice, many guides were very interested in my boots and asked me about them. Forestry fire people, in the western US at least, are big customers too.

Danner also makes a great US made boot, and they sometimes run killer sales.

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jennypenny
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by jennypenny »

Seneca wrote:Before you get too attached, the boots are very expensive, think $500. You could buy several pairs of docs.
That doesn't surprise me. Living where you do, I'm sure you can guess how much my good cowboy boots were.

Since all of my current shoes are at least 10 years old (the docs are much older), I won't feel bad about spending good money for a new pair. And at my age, everything probably counts as BIFL. :lol:


Freedom_2018
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Freedom_2018 »

Ah..so much Shoe Porn....

My $89 on sale Harley After Ride boots are still doing great after 3 years of near daily use...used them for work, social stuff, motorcycle trips and small hikes when on such trips. I think with similar use they could last another 6 years.

I am so tempted to buy a real hiking boot but I'm going to wait and actually let the need come up (i.e. start going on some real backpack type hikes) before buying one. I have looked for a boot that would do double duty as a hiker and a motorcycle boot. Haven't found any yet. It is amazing to me that there is no offering for this segment.

Seneca
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Seneca »

Freedom_2018 wrote:I am so tempted to buy a real hiking boot but I'm going to wait and actually let the need come up (i.e. start going on some real backpack type hikes) before buying one. I have looked for a boot that would do double duty as a hiker and a motorcycle boot. Haven't found any yet. It is amazing to me that there is no offering for this segment.
What would you consider features you want to see in a motorcycle boot that are not present in some hiking boots?

Personally, I like lots of padding, armor and ankle protection when riding, to the point it must ruin mobility and comfort for hiking, but short of that I think any good, all leather, 8" boot would make a fine riding boot, with more protection than most ride with.

george
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by george »

Just have to share.

When an exclusive girls school banned teachers from wearing sport shoes I was really caught.

I ended up in the mens slipper department and on a whim I bought black plain mens slippers (worn with trousers)

Noone ever noticed.

I have deformed feet, and it was so comfortable and cost so little.

JohnnyH
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by JohnnyH »

@Jacob: Yes, those are them; the Alico Guides... Sierra Trading Post has good coupon deals if you signup. I paid $175 w/ free shipping. Recently a coupon got them to $185 w/ free shipping... Also you can order many sizes and return the ones that don't fit for something like $6 using STP's return label.

Papers of Indenture
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Papers of Indenture »

I just picked up a pair of Whites Smokejumpers used. $137. Only worn 3 or 4 times according to seller and they look it. I've never had a boot like this. Built like a brick shit house. Cost $430 new.

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jennypenny
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by jennypenny »

Papers of Indenture wrote:I just picked up a pair of Whites Smokejumpers used. $137. Only worn 3 or 4 times according to seller and they look it. I've never had a boot like this. Built like a brick shit house. Cost $430 new.
How did you find them used?

sshawnn
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by sshawnn »

Papers of Indenture wrote:I just picked up a pair of Whites Smokejumpers used. $137. Only worn 3 or 4 times according to seller and they look it. I've never had a boot like this. Built like a brick shit house. Cost $430 new.

I like the idea of the Whites boots. They do seem durable. I am skeptical of Whites proprietary Arch Ease.

http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?di ... ory_id=444

Let us know how the Smokejumpers wear and feel for long periods.

Papers of Indenture
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Re: Durable shoes

Post by Papers of Indenture »

jennypenny wrote:
Papers of Indenture wrote:I just picked up a pair of Whites Smokejumpers used. $137. Only worn 3 or 4 times according to seller and they look it. I've never had a boot like this. Built like a brick shit house. Cost $430 new.
How did you find them used?
eBay.

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