I started following BIFL to find truly remarkable, heirloom quality products. Recently however, this place has just turned into a depository for people’s old used boots and shoes bragging about “look how well its holding up!” Not only is this redundant as the same brands are posted over and over again, let me tell you, there is not a single piece of footwear on the planet that is truly BIFL.
I have worked construction, oil fields, and ranching my entire life and firsthand know the value of high quality footwear, but it doesn’t matter if 60$ or 1600$ they WILL wear out. The maximum amount of times you can resole something is about half a dozen (most I’ve seen is about 11 on a pair of Olathes before they were too stretched to get a heel on straight) and usually the leather tops split long before that.
I’ve destroyed countless pairs of military surplus boots, Ariarts, timberlands, olathes, and yes even everyone’s favorite, Redwings. Though some may last longer than others, if you’re wearing them often or as more than a fashion statement your shoes will wear out. And before I hear about everyone saying “but I hike and mine are fine” hike daily during summer range for cattle, they’ll crap out on you in under 3 months.
Yes, I oil and maintain my boots, yes I dry them, hell I even stitch them when they tear. but the reality is no shoe is truly a lifetime of use item.
I wholeheartedly agree people should buy quality footwear, but please stop claiming it’s BIFL.
Submitted April 15, 2020 at 08:15PM by Vapilung https://ift.tt/34J47HU
