Reddit reviews Boot Saver Toe Guards Work Boots Protector - Boot Toe Cover/Repair 1 Pair

I used to work in a work boot store, so let me give you some tips on boot care.

• I would highly recommend changing out whatever laces your boots come with to leather laces. Leather laces last longer and can be cut to length.
  
  
• If you kneel a lot and the toes of your boots are rubbing on the ground, I'd get Boot Saver Toe Guards. They'll extend the life of your boots a bit further.
  
  
• At the end of the day, wipe whatever is on your boots off. It doesn't have to sparkle, just get the majority of the gunk off.
  
  
• Anywhere from once a week to once every two weeks, wax or oil your boots. I recommend Obenauf's, but any leather wax/oil will do. Huberd's Shoe Grease is a good alternative if you're looking for something cheaper.
  
  
• Alternate between two pairs of boots. Two $100 pairs of boots will (usually) last longer than one $200 pair of boots.
  
  If there was one boot that fit all of your criteria, that company would be the only boot maker in the world. If you're looking for a boot that will work year round, I'd get something with GoreTex for waterproofing and then wear thick wool socks in the winter. Also, get something with a Vibram sole. Those tend to last the longest in my experience. My recommendations are as follows:
  
  
• Danner Vicious 4.5" Plain Toe is a good general purpose boot. It does have a GoreTex liner, a Vibram sole, and tends to be pretty comfortable. If you have wide feet, this does tend to run wider through the ball of the foot. Cons, it has a glued on sole(usually doesn't last as long as stitch-down soles) and a composite shank(doesn't offer as much support as a steel shank). I personally prefer shorter boots, but if you'd like more ankle support, it does come in an 8" version.
  
  
• Georgia's 8" Loggers are styled more like traditional boots. They're great for arch and ankle support if that's more your speed. It does have a non-GoreTex waterproof liner, but Georgia usually does pretty well in that department. Cons, its pretty heavy. Not terribly heavy, but worth mentioning.
  
  Of course, every foot is different, so definitely find a local boot store and try a few options on.

Buy well-constructed boots that can be resoled easily. Welted boots are probably your friend.

Have two pairs of boots and cycle them. The soles will still eventually need replacing, and the uppers will still probably eventually wear out eventually, but a great pair of work boots should last far more than a year of wear with regular maintenance.

Bringing me to maintenance: If you're working construction you probably need to give them a good clean every couple of months, then reapply your wax/oil/preservative of choice.

For concrete work, use overboots like this or this.Something like this might help with the extreme toe wear you're experiencing (...seriously, how did you do that?). Those things will wear out, too, but in the spirit of BIFL the rubber is a lot more sustainable to replace than leather, both on your wallet and on the environment.