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.
Literally boots.
Work boots for my jobs doing physical labor. I would spend around or slightly under $100 every year for a new pair because theater, construction and pest control destroyed a pair a year.
Then I bought Redwings for close to $300. They lasted 3 years before the pandemic and likely would continue to last in those types of career for years to come.
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.