Asking here because c/vegan seems to be dead (what's up with that?).

Anyway, I'm looking to get some combat/hiking boots on the cheap, and I've been looking at military surplus stores. Problem is, most of the options available are made of leather. Now, I'm of the mind that it's fine to purchase/use leather products second-hand, however I'm not so sure that military surplus exactly counts as second-hand. Any vegans out there who have some insight/opinions on this sort of situation?