I skimped on shoes my first few years as a professional. Big mistake. Doc Marten's are the best if you have to walk around in dark damp places on wet concrete, and even manage to look semi-professional. The Sandals4less Birkenstocks are awesome for cleaner environs. I had some Ecco dress shoes, but the goofy plastic center part of the bottom kept falling out (on both pairs), no matter what I did to get it to stay. I used hot glue, epoxy, and all sorts of industrial glues and they just didn't cut it. They were comfy, but not Birkenstock comfy. Maybe I'll try them for hiking boots as long as they don't have those stupid center thingys.
The Doc's are great because they are durable and easy to clean, and you don't slip. Nasty chemicals don't hurt the soles, either.
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