this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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Boots.
A cute little passage from Terry Pratchett, but it holds very true if you ever need boots.
Paying for quality boot work, especially the kind that can be re-soled, is worth it for anyone who has to wear boots with any regularity.
When I first got a job that needed boots I was using an old secondhand pair. It was hell. Eventually I saved up for a quality pair and was totally worth it. I've not underspent on boots since.
As for suggestions as to what brand to go with these days for that... I'm less sure on that because I'm researching new brands myself since Red Wings are a joke compared to what they used to be. Danner still seems pretty all right these days.
The shorter version of the Discworld quote is "being poor charges interest."
And the interest is paid out to the rich, one way or another. Lately itβs been through retail, since we donβt qualify for home loans anymore.
Redwing still makes some good stuff, but they also make some "fashion" stuff that looks similar. Unfortunately happens with a lot of quality workwear.
Rose Anvil on YouTube cuts boots and shoes in half and explains how and why they are designed the way they are, and where corners are cut, and what to look out for. He's a good resource for checking out a boot you are interested in.
Most of your "good" brands still have some crappy stuff in their lineup, but you might not be able to spot it by just looking at a web page.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out those vids.
Wearing a 16 year old pair of Redwings as I'm typing this. I haven't even looked after them properly (e.g. greasing them frequently) and they're still in good shape. Gave them a new sole a few years back.
I wear a similarly old pair of Chippewa's that have also been poorly treated, and they are still good (though I don't have a job that would beat them up anymore)
Upvote for discworld quotes. Pratchett was full of good advice. Some of that advice may have required living in a world full of magic and dragons but it was good advice all the same!
Clothes in general. Sure, you can get and Old Navy T-shirt for ~$3-4, but they break down quickly. However, even a mid-level shirt from someplace like Land's End or Eddie Bauer on sale can last year after year. Same with pants, jeans, coats, jackets, belts and other clothing. It's also why it sucks to be poor. Needs need to be met immediately, but since you're needing to keep food on the table and a roof over your head, so you buy what you can afford, even knowing that it's more expensive in the long term.
I agree, but I also disagree.
A lot of people completely mistreat their clothes and have no idea how to wash them properly or mend them.
I have lots of cheap Old Navy tees kicking around in good condition because I wash t-shirts on gentler cycles and hang them out to dry.
With modern detergents, you can wash almost all clothing on 30 degrees C and a regular/gentle cycle, as long as they're not visibly stained.
The dryer is the death of clothes. That stuff you pull from the filter used to be your shirts and pants.
I wish I could wear down my old navy stuff so I could replace it.
Old old navy clothes were actually well made. The newer ones are definitely hit or miss.
Georgia boots are the shit...
Tires?
Generally, don't skimp on anything that goes between you and the ground. Shoes, mattresses, tyres... your future you will hate you for cheaping out on those.