Tl/DR: I'm picky about my shoes. I think it's because I've had so many jobs that require me to be on my feet or walking for most of my shift and because I did a lot of hiking in the mountains. The best boots that I've found for serious walking or hiking are the Belleville's
I went to Basic Training in February 1988 in Oklahoma. They issued us those crappy leather boots that didn't have any insole or insulation and weren't waterproof and I froze my damn feet off.
Shortly after I got to Germany Corcoran boots introduced the Matterhorn field boot.
They were the first Gortex lined boots I ever saw. Everybody that I knew that had a pair said they were wonderful but my feet were still cold. I think it's because my feet sweat a lot anyway and the all leather Gore-Tex lined boots were too hot for me.
Right before I got out of the army Matterhorn started making summer boots that were very similar to my Bellevills. Those were the best military boots I ever had.
While I was doing security I went through a pair of those cheap Walmart boots every year and after about three years I decided that I wanted something like my old Matterhorns
What I found was these Belleville series 700 "duty" boots. They were waterproof and Gore-Tex lined but most of the upper was fabric so they weren't too hot.
I kept track of my steps when I was doing security and I walked on average around 2,000 miles every year and the Bellevilles stood up to it.
I think I have hot feet. They advertise them as three season boots but I wore them all year and in the snow and my feet were fine all day long.
I don't wear them around town because they stand out like a sore thumb but I have decided that when we move to the Goat Ranch I'm going to dig them out of storage and start wearing them again.
They cost 200 bucks and I figure I might as well get some use out of them.
In town I wear these Lowa Renegades. I don't know how old they actually are but I bought them like brand new at a thrift store for 35 bucks.
I've actually had them out in the mountains. I hiked 18 miles in them with a 35 pound Field Pack and they stood up to it without my feet aching. So I know they'll last forever just wearing them around town and if something happens where I have to walk home. I know I can do it in those shoes.
The only thing I don't like about them is that they cannot be resoled. I would not have bought them new because of that but for 35 bucks used they were worth it
