>>24686251. Budget $300+ (good footwear does not cost less)
2. Locate local B&M shops that have such boots
3. Only look at USA-made ones (quality) that have a resoling service available and are leather.
4. Try them on until one fits your foot like a glove
5. Buy it
6. Break it in over 500 hours of use
7. Actually maintain it with semi-annual conditioning and watersealing as needed
Around me, most actual workmen wear USA-made Redwings or Thorogood. I have a pair of Redwings that lasted over 5 years in the trades (new construction) with a single resoling. They are easily a 10-year pair. Not the best fit, but I've taken them hiking / bushwhacking.
They make an insulated variant. I have that, and it's okay but the insulation is going to get very compressed/useless after a year of daily use. Just get good socks.
