# Looking for "tough" looking shoes/boots to go with jeans

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 7, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497 "2012-07-07T04:03:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MuleSkinner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@MuleSkinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuleSkinner)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/1 "2012-07-07T04:03:27Z")

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I like what Stallone is wearing below:

[http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Xgg3ePLvBBs/ARNOLD+SCHWARZENEGGER+SYLVESTER+STALLONE+Best/sODcWmPjfpn/Arnold+Schwarzenegger](http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Xgg3ePLvBBs/ARNOLD+SCHWARZENEGGER+SYLVESTER+STALLONE+Best/sODcWmPjfpn/Arnold+Schwarzenegger)

Don’t want typical workboots or motorcycle boots. What Stallone is wearing has that “tough” look but looks appropriate enough for a casual lunch (has a little more style than workboots or motorcycle boots). I’d also like to spend under $200. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/2 "2012-07-07T04:10:11Z")

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> **[Men's Boots & Shoes | Bates](https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/bates-mens-boots/)**
>
> Official Wolverine site - Shop the full collection of Bates by Wolverine - Men's Boots and find what you're looking for today. Free shipping on all orders!

The above links to the boot manufacturer Bates website, for a line of boots called “Zero-Mass.” They are only exaggerating a little bit with the name. They’re tough as hell, very comfortable, and extraordinarily lightweight.

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**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/3 "2012-07-07T05:11:03Z")

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You can probably go into your local sports/outdoors store and find something.

One brand of workboots that I’ve bought at such a place was Caterpillar. They have many styles:

[noparse][http://www.catfootwear.com](http://www.catfootwear.com)[/noparse]

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**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/4 "2012-07-07T06:52:14Z")

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Look like pretty standard work boots to me. Most Farm & Fleet-style stores have a good selection and their prices aren’t bad.

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**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/5 "2012-07-07T07:17:15Z")

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I’ve seen some at the local army surplus.

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**Author:** ![Tarwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@Tarwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarwater)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-tough-looking-shoes-boots-to-go-with-jeans/627497/6 "2012-07-07T12:48:25Z")

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Go to a thrift store. Find a pair of boots that can be cleaned and treated with mink oil.

Or you can buy a pair of [Red Wing Iron Rangers](http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTHENTIC-NEW-RED-WING-IRON-RANGER-HERITAGE-LIFESTYLE-8111-IN-STOCK-/280886405808?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&var=&hash=item4166226ab0), which are more than $200. They’re made with quality leather, have good design and construction, won’t fall apart, and will hold a patina. They can last you for the rest of your life if you take care of them.

You’re going to have a very difficult time finding fashionable, well-made boots for under $200. What you’ll get, instead, is a pair that look cheap (and _are_ cheap, having been made with inferior leather, if they’re made with leather at all) and/or fall apart within a year.