Wise Purchase or False Economy?

[lukebuz]

So I need Steel Toe Shoes for work; I have a pair that works, but they are 4 years old, showing their age, but still perfectly functional, presentable, etc.  I could get 2 more years out of them.   
So, I get $100 subsidized (plus a 25% discount before that subsidy) to buy a new pair.  Again, I don't NEED it.
But, it takes the price of a $155.00 pair of shoes (Red Wing, All Leather, etc...) down to $28 after taxes.
It is wise to purchases shoes I don't NEED for $28, even though they are priced at $150+?   They are to be used for work, so no reselling or anything silly like that.  I would wear them (likely rotate), but again, not a NEED.
What would you do?

[Rezdent]

This is a diffucult one.
I would do it and rotate, because rotating 2 pair lasts longer than buying one pair and then another.

[r3dt4rget]

So I need Steel Toe Shoes for work; I have a pair that works, but they are 4 years old, showing their age, but still perfectly functional, presentable, etc.  I could get 2 more years out of them.   
So, I get $100 subsidized (plus a 25% discount before that subsidy) to buy a new pair.  Again, I don't NEED it.
But, it takes the price of a $155.00 pair of shoes (Red Wing, All Leather, etc...) down to $28 after taxes.
It is wise to purchases shoes I don't NEED for $28, even though they are priced at $150+?   They are to be used for work, so no reselling or anything silly like that.  I would wear them (likely rotate), but again, not a NEED.
What would you do?

Is this a limited-time offer, or something available permanently through your employer? Shoes are like car tires. If you drive, you need tires. It really doesn't matter if you buy another set when you don't need them because you will eventually need them. If you can get a great deal for a shoe you are going to purchase later anyway, why not buy now and save for when your current pair is finished?

[deborah]

I'd buy. Even if it is available permanently, it is probably available only once every three years or something, and rotating shoes is good. Having a spare pair in case the others get wet is good. And they last.

[lukebuz]

OK - so this is great for a 1-time deal...but let's say you get $100/yr.  These are quality shoes, that are going to last 3+ years each.  How many pairs to accumulate? 

[deborah]

Two - the ones you have and the spare pair.

[Bracken_Joy]

Not related to the question itself, but look into the Keen steel toes. I didn't even realized they carried them, and they actually look quite trendy, which is hilarious (nicest looking shoes DH owns). But he has wide feet and most steelies cut into his feet terribly. He says these are the most comfortable steel toe boots he's ever owned. They also have the electrician rated soles available, if that's a requirement for you. Only downside: he has people come up thinking he isn't wearing safety-rated boots and has to reassure them that they are, indeed, up to standard. IIRC they're fairly affordable as well (as far as steel toed boots go anyway), but I could be wrong since we were reimbursed.

[Dicey]

I'd buy. Even if it is available permanently, it is probably available only once every three years or something, and rotating shoes is good. Having a spare pair in case the others get wet is good. And they last.

I agree with this advice. Your shoes are tools, not frivolous purchases. I'd recommend rotating between two pair (easier on the shoes AND your feet) and having a third pair waiting in the wings. DH wears same for work and he has had great results using this method. Full disclosure: His employer provides the footwear, so he pays nothing OOP.

He has very wide wide feet and prefers the tennis shoe style. He has several brands he likes. I just peeked in the closet and I see Nautilus(w/xw), Wolverine(xw) and the latest pair is Reebok. They only say "W" on the box and he hasn't worn them yet, so I don't know how well those are going to work, but they look nice ;-).

[bryan995]

Buy now, then next time you need boots, you have a brand new pair in storage. I doubt your feet are still growing :).  I personally have no problem stocking up on items I constantly use/need to function (when available at a deep discount!)

Alternatively - buy and then sell on eBay. Profit ~$60.

[lukebuz]

Yeah, I'll probably go the 3 pairs route.  I neglected to say (hehe) that I already have the "waiting in the wings" pair, so this makes set #3.  Add in the lawnmowing pair, the beat to heck heavy duty work pair, then it's 5 sets. 
OK, I should stop now.  But, I really did need this style for my current workplace.  I didn't move down down to wear high boots in the summer!
Resale is absolutely not an option.  What a foolish thing to do - risk a career for $50.  Might as well steal pens and pencils for that risk/reward...!

[okits]

Do your used pairs have any resale value?  Does your work care how you dispose of the old pair?  If you can sell the oldest pair and use the proceeds towards defraying your $28 portion, that would be good.

Assuming boots can be lost or damaged, I'd feel good about having a few spare pairs (especially if near-free).

[clarkfan1979]

I would buy the second pair and rotate. I would feel less stressed have the second pair in case I lost or damaged beyond repair the other shoes.

[GuitarStv]

Buy and hold.  Every few years I go to an outlet store, and bargain hunt for some shoes.  Then they stay in a pile in the closet until my current running shoes develop holes and start to fall apart.

Personally, I wouldn't rotate the boots at all.  Wear one pair until it's dead, then switch to the new one.  Otherwise you have to deal with the extra clutter of duplicate pairs of boots.

[Mr Dumpster Stache]

Buy em every year, then when you retire early you have a life-time supply!

[Bracken_Joy]

Buy and hold.  Every few years I go to an outlet store, and bargain hunt for some shoes.  Then they stay in a pile in the closet until my current running shoes develop holes and start to fall apart.

Personally, I wouldn't rotate the boots at all.  Wear one pair until it's dead, then switch to the new one.  Otherwise you have to deal with the extra clutter of duplicate pairs of boots.

Ah, but not wearing them back to back allows the insoles to re-form and dry, making breakdown a slower process (ie, you will get more time swapping out 2 pairs of boots rather than wearing one then replacing it). This holds true for bras, as well, due to the elastic reforming.

[EngineerMum]

For me, I'd buy the new ones and move the rest down a rung in the ladder of use. When I finally replaced my first pair, I couldn't believe how much better my feet and legs felt when I started using my new steel cap boots, even though they looked fine and I thought there was heaps more wear in them.

Also, my personal favourite is Steel Blue, but I don't know if you get them over there.

[Rural]

Another vote to buy and rotate the two best pair at work.

[snogirl]

My vote is Buy and rotate each pair.
In the military, I always had a couple of pairs of boots & rotated them.
I still do till this day.
Rotating them allows you to maintain them, brush all dirt off & dry.
Letting your boots dry completely
-prevents bacteria from growing,
-helps the material last,
-helps prevent foot health issues.
The boot cost for you is an outstanding perk plus helps your feet/body stay healthy.
Just like we want out finances to be healthy right?

I also have a boot dryer & treat my new leather boots with neatfoots oil or some other favorite brand.
This will help keep your boots lasting a good long time especially if you rotate & brush them off.

[cripzychiken]

Buy them, for $28 it's a nice insurance policy against something happening to your current pair.

Plus if you end up working in the rain or something, having a dry pair to switch to either at lunch or the next day - worth it.