The Sam Vimes “Boots” theory of socioeconomic unfairness, often called simply the boots theory, is an economic theory that people in poverty have to buy cheap and subpar products that need to be replaced repeatedly, proving more expensive in the long run than more expensive items.
Same, I was blowing out sides and wearing through soles in a year. Switched to Thorogoods and I am never going back. American made and repairable, just need to condition the leather every so often and I expect them to last years.
I should have seen the light 20 years ago when my friend’s dad was telling me about how his pair of Redwings had withstood over a decade of him working as a welder.