What's reasonable $$ for a boot?

How much are you willing to spend on a quality pair of leather boots?

My cheapo black leather boots from White Mountain Outfitters last year ($30 on deep sale) are, predictably, starting to fall apart. They've served me well and I'll probably continue to wear them, but since I essentially live in boots from October to March, and alternate them with flats for a few more months in early fall/late spring, I'd like to have another pair handy.

So, I've decided on either black or dark brown leather knee-high boots. Living in the Mid-Atlantic, the weather is too unpredictable and my trekking habits (across muddy grass is not uncommon) too harsh for suede. Today I took the plunge and bought a pair from Nordstrom's, the Corso Como San Angelo quilted boot in black, at $170.

I'd like this new purchase to last for at least 2-3 years of heavy 6-month wear (I'm willing to resole as long as the upper stays reasonably intact). I did consider waterproof boots, but haven't found any that are truly as stylish as plain leather.

And now I finally come to the reason why I've rambled on for three paragraphs: what's a reasonable price to pay for quality tall leather boots (on sale, but not super-sale)? $170 is almost twice the cost of what I've paid in the past for a winter coat, the (previously) most expensive line in my budget. I'll be shopping around, of course, but what is the low end of "good quality" in terms of price range?

14 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Most of my boots have cost between $125 and $180.

cciele

I think $170 is reasonable for tall leather boots. You should be able to get a quality pair of boots that will last you awhile.

(website)

I think it depends. I've found great deals - my Docs were only $60 found at Ross and my Santana Canada weatherproof leather riding boots were only $70 on Amazon. But I would fully expect them to cost twice that much; it's just that I'm not willing to pay it if I don't have to.

rae

For an ankle or mid calf boot, I'd be okay spending $50-$100. For a knee high boot, I might even go up to $200 as the ceiling for the low end of the spectrum. Although I always get my boots on sale, the *original* price of my last ankle boots was $130 (ETA: I think I paid $60?) The original price of my last knee boots was $300 (ETA: I paid $100).

nicoleb

It'll probably depend on the person as to what is "reasonable". I rarely spend over $100 and if i spy a pair of boots that are close to that $100 range they better be real leather.

I got my favorite pair of leather flat moto boots that fit my calves perfectly for $50. You just have to keep an eye out i think.

Jjsloane

I'm such a bargain hunter I rarely pay more than $100 for boots worth at least twice that amount. If you have picky feet, hard size or just fall in love and the brand is good, boots are comfy and you treat them well you will get years of wear from them. I have 2 pair of Vaneli boots I bought 8 years ago that still look practically new (but I do have a lot of boots so I rotate them) I suggest investing in a good spray and wiping them down after they get wet.

Keix

Thanks for all the (fast) opinions! I'm probably headed out this weekend to shop more high-end department stores. I've exhausted my local Macy's and tiny Nordstrom. It's frustrating to shop for boots in the $100 range and find that half of them aren't even real leather.

In terms of sizing, I have another mini-dilemma: I can buy shoes that fit (size 5, sometimes 5.5) if I'm willing to pay a premium, or I can try to hunt down true bargains in a size 6, which is a full size up in foot length but MUCH easier to track down. I think most people wouldn't consider buying shoes a full size larger than their true size, but I am sadly kind of used to it--before this year I was on a tight budget and size 5 is very difficult to find at the sub-$50 price level. Nordstrom is the only place I've found that consistently has size 5 available in most styles.

Kristine

I think under $200 is totally reasonable and, although I've never found them, I'd pay up to $500 for the right pair. A good pair of leather boots could last quite a few years.

DeclawedJaguar

I have fussy feet and 17" calves. When I find a pair of tall boots that fit, it's a miracle. Unfortunately, most of boots that do fit are in the 200-400 range. But good quality leather boots, when treated with care, should last for years, reducing their CPW to cents.

lyn*

The tall leather boots I wear I paid $35 (originally $125) and $75 (originally $225) for

HelenInCanada

Good quality leather boots should range between $75 and $200, but you can definitely find great boots on sale at deep discount now. (And to be frank, it HURTS to spend on the higher end of the range.)

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Frye's, which, are TOTALLY worth it usually run around $300 or so? Those are high-end, long lasting boots. I LOVE mine and you would have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands.

I think $150 range is very reasonable. That's about what I paid for my newest Docs.

goldenpig

I think Andrea and I are on the same wavelength. I have skinny calves and could not find any flat boots that fit me except these Fryes which cost almost $400. Totally worth it, I can wear them forever! I actually bought two pairs in different colors!

I also found a pair of Timberland heeled boots for under $150 on sale. But I don't mind spending if I have to for good quality boots that fit and will last for years.

annagybe

I think because of your small foot size I think, unfortunately you have to pay for boots. I have high insteps so I pay a premium for shoes. Many boots I cannot even get my foot into.

Beth

I have narrow calves, so that alone makes me more willing to pay a higher price for boots. It took two years to find my current pair of tall, heeled black dress boots and I paid a premium for them. They're the most expensive clothing item I've ever bought, but I don't regret it and I can amortize the price per wear. I'm also a classic dresser so I'll wear them for years.

I've also had some frustrating experiences with boot quality. I have a pair of Miz Mooz boots that I love. Paid $200 for them and found that the leather never softened up and the finish is painted on. A few scrapes are requiring me to go the the cobbler to get them repaired as the finish just peeled off. Grr. I'd rather have a pair of Fryes for more that are dyed all the way through and will stand the test of time.

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