No footwear is truly buy it for life, but if you get something resoleable with a goodyear welt you can get more life out of the footwear.

Redwing, Solovair, and Danner are examples of companies that offer some of their boots made in this way, but there are a number of other companies out there.

Boots, like tires and lightbulbs, are consumables.

Redwings, had a pair last 5+ years of 16 hr days. Re-soled and wore them another 5 years before throwing them out

Bit late to the party, but something to be aware of if you're buying Solovair. I have a pair of astronaut boots, had them for about 20 months, worn them almost daily and I need to get them resoled now. I went to my local cobblers and they said they don't do Solovair, they just do glue jobs. I went to Solovair (I'm local to their factory) and they said that they're currently doing so much business that they're not able to offer resoling. They provided details of two webshops (keycobbler.co.uk and bootrepaircompany.co.uk) who do offer this service, but that involves sending them off for weeks and weeks. So I'm going to need to buy a second pair of boots to wear while my first pair are out for repair. And the resole is a significant chunk of the original boot cost: I spent under £170 on the boots, and they're going to cost £70 to resole plus shipping.

I'm still going to do it, I love them and I'd have spent a similar amount on trainers in the same period just through wear and tear, but it's not particularly a money saver or a convenience.

I guess that when I do have two pairs I'll be able to rotate them daily so this will be something that comes up every four years rather than every two.

Not sure if they are available in the EU, but Roots Tuff boots are fantastic.

I've had two pairs, the first pair I got second hand and still lasted me a few years, the second pair I've had for about 3 or 4 years now and are barely showing any signs of wear.

I've had a few pairs of Solovair boots. Good quality and durable. My only complaint is it takes a while to work them in. I absolutely love their leather insoles. I'd buy another pair without much consideration, when I need my next pair.

I love my redwings.

I am thinking of eventually getting the following set and am interested in your thoughts on it

• main boots: I'm undecided here whether to get the Black Greasy 10 Eye Steel Toe Capped Derby Boot or Black Greasy 11 Eye Steel Toe Derby Boot
  Why does the 11 eye cost less than the 10 eye variant?

• for walking a lot in the city: Black Greasy Urban Hiker

• for the office I work at & general business casual settings: Black Greasy Sneaker 070