I live in the Sonoran Desert, and work as an arborist trimming trees and doing landscaping. Fabric $100 hiking boots last maybe 6 months. I have a pair of Italian Alico leather hiking boots ($200) that have lasted a year, but the Vibram soles are pretty much worn out and the leather is cut and very soft. I use Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP on them regularly. I am thinking they will not last much longer, and I am thinking of another pair of boots.

I do not want any Goretex or “waterproof yet breathable” liners in the boots. It is too hot here for that! Besides, it is pretty much never wet here. All leather would be great, as attested to by the Alico’s. I have been thinking about these:

KENETREK-DESERT-GUIDE

But at $400 I had better be SURE that they are worth it. If I can get 2 years out of them, they will cost about what everything else has that I have tried. If they last 3, I will be ahead. Still, Vibram soles seem to only go a year or so…

So, what do you all recommend?