I believe there is a trade off between grippiness and hardness. So depending what kind of surfaces you need to walk on, buying boots with soles that resist wear more may have a downside.
this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2025
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Personally I wouldn't consider that very good. My pair of Haix Airpower P3's lasted me close to 15 years and I've put them through hell.
4 years with heavy use is very good
I'm content if my shoe cost is under $10/month. You're just over a tenth that. It would be hard to get the number lower and still have reasonable comfort and protection from the shoes.
If you get decent ones they can be repaired rather than replaced, very much worth it for shoes you wear a lot.
maybe for expensive ones, but at 65$ its pretty cheap, and easier to replace it.
Hence "if you get decent ones". It's more expensive yes but it's also more sustainable and much better for your orthopedic health, especially if you wear them a lot like OP seems to.
My 1990s CF infantry boots - bought new - were used daily for 20 years, Calgary snow and Vancouver rain. Another 10 years of occasional use and another 10 years in the closet because of an injury. But it's getting fixed and I will be using them again.
Zipper? You and I have different footwear.
Go and buy two pairs this time. Chances are that boot will no longer be made in 2 years let alone 4 in the same way you like. If they are comfortable and they lasted you that long with no issue those are good boots.
I'm a shoe cobbler as the username might suggest and most modern shoes have a lifespan of about 1-2 years depending so getting 4 with daily use is kinda nuts.
As for the heel kicking out I assume you mean the outer back of the heel is worn down more than the inside back yeah? In that case that's totally normal and its just because that's the first part that hits the ground when you take a step. If its uncomfortable then sure you can get something done about it but it generally shouldn't unless its really worn down, like so much that you'd be capturing rocks in the holes in your sole. Thats also a pretty easy job for a shoe repairman to fix that'll be cheaper than a new set in most cases
Imagine if you took the heel off and glued it on slightly cockeyed.
The foam inside these shoes will deteriorate if they sit for 4 years though, won't it?
Not impossible, I see it usually happening because they were left in a cardboard box. All the humidity inside the box gets pulled into the walls and you create a super dry environment that starts the dry rot. Best option is to find an old pillow case and a more temperature stable corner to forget about them in
Hell yeah, doctor Cobbler Schollar
Awesome. I’ve been using Lemmy for a long time now and this is the first time I’ve gotten that feeling that Old Reddit used to have. So nice having the expert you need right when you need them.
I wear combat boots made for first responders (Haix). They are about 3-4 times the cost of yours, but they are made in Europe. Anyway, I've had my oldest pair for over six years, and I put at least 10 miles on them on a day. The only upkeep they've needed so far is some conditioner. I have a ton of boots, but these are by far my favorites
I've worn them in the Arizona desert during summer, and in winter where I live (gets to -30F and colder)
That's a hell of a solid recommendation! I'll have a look.
Dumb question, but, are you in the military? (I’m not, and don’t know how these things work, but I’d like to learn)
Nope. Never joined. I just wanted tough, multipurpose boots for outdoor use.
I had previously heard that shoes are made to last 100 miles. Running shoes, supposedly 200 to 300. My walking shoes last 8 months or so, but I easily walk 2-3 miles a working day.
I would say that those boots did a great job due you, and I would buy another pair if I was you.
I am getting slightly off-topic here, so downvote me if necessary. When I buy new running shoes, they normally last ~1000 to ~1200 kilometers, with an occasional peak up to ~1400. The salespeople recommend replacing running shoes after ~800 to ~1000 kilometers due to the support wearing out.
Back on topic: if you know a good shoe cobbler, you may want to re-sole your boots.
No worries, good conversation! I think the advice is general, and probably provided by the manufacturers. I'm overweight, about 250 pounds or 115 kilos so I think that I probably am much harder on my shoes than someone who is 30-50% lighter.
What brands are you buying?
New balance.
The last pair split at the seams along the side, but I have very wide feet and my gait rolls along the outside like if I was skating.
I can barely get a pair of combat boots to last a year, except for my RATs, best damn boots to kick shit in. I always blow out the sides or crack the sole where the toes flex as the sole wears slick.
I wish they still made the RATs, I would buy two pairs.
i have army surplus store Marine combat boots $20. IDK how much use they had before I got them, but it was a bit.
anyway i have had these boots for 6 years now. i do pretty much all my yard work un them.
I'd never pass inspection with them but I should be able to get another 5 years at least
Hadn't thought of trying the local Army surplus store! Still, I feel I'd end up spending the same, and the shop is a long ways away.
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