criminy

F that. I mostly wear Hey Dudes from Amazon, I can usually find them for under $35. The shoe stores want $60-$70 for them. Assholes

It depends. Having to spend $150+ on quality running shoes, duty/work boots, etc. has been a thing for decades.

But even today you can still find casual shoes for much less than that, especially if you can wait for sales and/or wait for the changeovers to new generations or new years when older models are discounted heavily.

Looked at dress shirts lately? $100+...for one shirt! And people wonder why I only wear jeans and T-shirts.

My boots run ~$500, but they last a very long time and can be rebuilt. As long as you are paying for quality, $150 isn't bad at all. If you are buying junk, then to hell with that.

Decent boots are $300 + these days.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Looked at dress shirts lately? $100+...for one shirt! And people wonder why I only wear jeans and T-shirts.

Jeebus!

I pay stupid (at least to me) money for Carharrt pants, but my shirts are thrift store tees all Summer and 20 year old LL Bean chamois shirts in the Winter. I shudder to think what it will cost to replace them when the time comes.

I wear mostly Timberland ankle-height boots and they run $120-ish a pair.

Not sure I even own a pair of dress shoes, I'd have to go spelunking in the closet. Probably a pair of military Corfams in there somewhere...

In the mid-1980s when running a certain distance within a certain amount of time was something I needed to do to keep my job (and ensure my future pension), my 40-YO self liked New Balance shoes for the activity. The top of that line cost $90+ then. With inflation that’s nearly $260 today, and I’m much more able to afford $260 today than I was $90 then.

My casual shoes are sketchers and I pay under $50 for them. They typically last 1-2 years before they should be thrown away

My work boots are $400+ but I get around 6-8 years out of them (I don't wear them everyday). They provide great support and protection and are comfortable enough to wear all day and not be miserable. Only downside is that they are a little on the heavy side (American made Redwings)

My running shoes are $125-150 and I replace them every 10-12 months. Probably a huge profit margin, but there is a huge difference in my joint health when running in the proper shoes and I've not found a cheap pair of shoes that can last 400-500 miles and don't result in serious discomfort.

My "dress" shoes (I have no idea the brand) were around $200 when I got them roughly 18 years ago, and they still look good and get regular use although the soles could stand to be replaced soon. Given the use i've gotten out of them, I'd say a few hundred bucks is a deal.

Good running shoes aren't out of line at $150. There is a significant difference between the shoes that are $60 versus those that are $150. Like tires, you mostly get what you pay for.

I don't run as I have bad knees but my daily shoes are New Balance or flip flops.

Boot wise, I wear Red Wing boots, either Iron Rangers or if I'm doing auto or construction work, I wear steel toes. I also have Red Wing chelsea boots. Yes, I'm a Red Wing boot fan.

Quality products cost money. Take care of the appendages you want to keep.

I spent pretty close to that on some work boots. Before retiring, I spent 8 hours a day, 5 and sometimes 6 days a week, in them. It was worth every penny.

Retired LEO, and I spent usually around 300 on work boots. Learned early on that the cheap ones weren't gonna cut it. I was a lifelong runner up until a few years ago, too. 150 was on point for those, although I could save a little by searching for last year's model on sale.
My feet became pretty important between my work life and my running life, and I decided it was worth buying quality footwear. I still think that today, but as an old retired guy, I can be a bit lax....

Over 30 years ago when I bought a pair of Cole Hann cap toed oxford dress shoes.

Back when I was working, I was spending 10+ hours a day in the office and my feet made me miserable.

An older colleague told me to buy Allen Edmonds shoes. He said 'Once you get over the sticker shock, you'll never regret it and your feet will thank you'.

He was right about shoes. He also wore Hickey Freeman suits, but there was no way I was ever going to spend $1,000+ for a suit.

I cut costs on many things but footwear is not one of them. Be it sneakers/running shoes or boots, I’ll spend the extra for quality

I can get most of mine as part of the store displays I help build in my spare time.

We even have different sizes that I have to find others to wear.

Crazy expensive stuff made out of critters that I've never heard of before.

They are awesome for church and formal occasions, but I seem to wear the same pair of Ariats most of the time.

Dress mens shoes of quality, like Church's or Bally can go thousands, last forever but cost.

quote:

Originally posted by Oaklane:
I cut costs on many things but footwear is not one of them. Be it sneakers/running shoes or boots, I’ll spend the extra for quality

I have definitely learned this very well. I am a huge fan of Hoka speedgoats considered one of the best trail shoes out there. Sure 140 or so bucks but my feet feel great after a long day ( even 10+ hours standing in an operating room)
You CAN NOT judge shoe wear from external appearance. I am not tough on shoes and my shoes “ look good” for years. But the internal support and foam breaks down with time that results in a tired or sore foot at the end of the day. Replace annually regardless of how good they look

Redwing steel toe and metatarsal.
Worth every penny.
Company gave an allowance once a year but they lasted more than a year. have several good pairs in my garage, last me the rest of my life in retirement.