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text from Terry Pratchett; art by Higgs who's tumblr i've linked
i can't rember which book this is from -- i wanna say it's Men at Arms but it could even be Guards Guards. Higgs seems to think it's Night Watch, but I'm pretty sure it happened before that...
in the post here
Except nowadays the expensive as fuck boots also fall apart after six months
fuck fast fashion
Properly welted and oiled ones lasted me YEARS.
In my experience it goes:
Pay $100 for boots, falling apart in six months
Pay $400 for boots, falling apart in six months
I am using some products created in a state
that doesn't exist anymore. Comparable Western products are mostly not functioning anymore - for that specific product line. Why?
Cause the planers did think about the resources used and lifetime of items and created long lasting products.
Years ago my wardrobe was basically just anything i could get from army surplus stores. Not only did that stuff last (and i still own), but it was also the cheapest place to shop. Now i barely bother buying clothes because they fall apart too quickly.
Army surplus stores have disappeared from the face of the earth. I miss 'em.
I got some great stuff from them over the years. One of the only places where i could get jeans that fit for $5 each. I still wear a lot of it, especially for my daily summer wear.
Where do you even buy it? I thought they all went out of business due to federal government procurement law changes.
There's still a few kicking around in Ontario, but most of the ones i visited over a decade ago in the states have converted to flea markets and other assorted junk stores. Can still find some decent gear there, but the price has obviously gone up.
Also they know I will have to buy another pair of boots
I'd suggest finding some forums where construction workers, foundary workers, surveyors, park rangers, etc. hang out. They'll know what companies are making worthwhile boots right now and who is making shit. I can't remember how old my last pair of paratrooper boots are, but I want to say at least 7 years, probably more like a decade, and they're on their second or third pair of soles. They're corcorans. Currently 225ish, union made (I think) in PA.
I bought my first pair of Merrell hiking boots in about 1997. I started wearing them as my daily winter shoe in about 2003. I'm on my 2nd pair, but the tread is starting to wear down. I'll probably buy my 3rd pair this fall.
You can get boots re-soled at a cobbler.
I thought about it, but the lining at the heels is wearing out too. I'm pretty satisfied with ~10 years per pair of boots.
The key word is "Good year welt". Boots with a goodyear welt can have the soles removed and replaced.