I see a lot of gripes.  Not as good as they used to be.  Cheaper.  Flimsy.  Lesser quality.

Well, guess what?  Nothing is what it used to be.  Almost nothing, that is.  There are still some manufacturers that strive to meet expectations of quality in craftsmanship and materials.  This is not one of them.

You want a great boot?  Spend about $500, not $50, and you'll get one.  Look at&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/White-s-10-Original-Smoke-Jumper-Boots/dp/B003F88RYK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">White's 10" Original Smoke Jumper Boots</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/White-s-Boots-Hathorn-Explorer-Wildland-Plain-Toe-NFPA-Boots/dp/B0050K7OAE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">White's Boots Hathorn Explorer Wildland Plain Toe NFPA Boots</a>.  Maybe look towards West Coast Shoe Company or Baker Shoe Company in Oregon..&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Wolverine-1-000-Mile-Boots-the-Best-selling-Boots-In-Orvis-History-Wolverine-1-000-Mile-Boots/dp/B004SRBM5S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Wolverine 1,000 Mile Boots--the Best-selling Boots In Orvis History / Wolverine 1,000 Mile Boots</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Red-Wing-Iron-Ranger-08112-Brown-Leather-Mens-Boots/dp/B005QJWM7E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Red Wing Iron Ranger 08112 Brown Leather Mens Boots</a>&nbsp;are excellent choices also.  In a pinch,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Dr-Martens-1460-Boot/dp/B000BOLRNO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Dr. Martens 1460 Boot</a>&nbsp;are very reliable.

What we have here is The Poor Man's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Allen-Edmonds-Men-s-Cascade-Lace-Up-Boot/dp/B0058NOFRS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Allen Edmonds Men's Cascade Lace-Up Boot</a>.  Does it compare?  No.  I own both shoes.  A side by side comparison shows that one shoe is obviously better built, and made with better material.  So what do we get here with Rockport?  We get an inexpensive, light weight, comfortable shoe.  Soft footbed with plenty of cushion for that extra spring in your step.  A rubber lug type sole for traction.  Ankle support.  And a shoe that you would not hesitate going out in the rain and snow with.  Essentially, it's a beater.  Sort of like that old Dodge that you drove in school, but can't let go of.

You will not get a better shoe in the $50 range.  What does this shoe do, that more expensive shoes don't?  They get worn.  No pampering.  Nobody is going to spend more on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Leather-Honey-Leather-Conditioner-the-Best-Leather-Conditioner-Since-1968-32-Oz-Bottle/dp/B004VFX3AE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, the Best Leather Conditioner Since 1968, 32 Oz Bottle</a>&nbsp;than the shoe is worth.  This shoe will go in the rain, snow, sleet, dark of night, puddles, mud, and anything else that you can think of that you would never do with your expensive shoes.