I used to wear boots all the time, partially because I had ankle problems and used them cross country. I haven’t worn boots in a while though, since I started work and had to wear smart shoes and switched to trainers for the walk to/from work. Now I wear trainers all the time, even at work, the same plain black pair of Sketchers 98% of the time and a nicer pair of black Converse for the rest.
Military issue Corcoran’s… Had them since I was hired at the fire department 8 years ago and they still look mint and have held up great over the years.
So I say boots all the way, but you get what you pay for so go big ($) or go home.
Boots. Combat boots specifically. My current fave are Blackhawk Warriorwear desert ops boots. Very comfortable, resilient. I still have my pair of 14 hole DMs, but they are a little small - I got them in '92, and they’ve taken a beating.
I love my red and black cowboy boots with 2-3 inch heel but they are so warm that it almost require snow outside for them to be of comfort. And the problem is that they are totally blank under the sole so they are completely lethal to wear while there is ice outside. But really, who cares? They are bad ass.
But most of the times I just use some kind of sneakers. Looks decent and are comfortable so.
Have to wear bloody great boots for work (through both of my careers so far) and I can’t wait to get them off every day.
So its runners for me (or sneakers for the poor language benighted yanks) though my running days are over and sneaking is too much hard work. Flippers for swimming sometimes and … yes