So tell me about boots...

[Cosmoline]

Comfortable Slick-soled cockroach-stompers. 

Fixed.  Plus, there isn't much ice in Austin, slick sole works fine for me.   

But are they boots, or umbrella stands?  ;-)

[auschip]

How about mud?  Smooth pavement?  Wet grass on an incline?  I know you have those. 

For me, boots have to lace up to be comfortable.  Too loose, otherwise.  I'm funny like that. 

All of those lately, and yet no slips.  Must be the heel or the fact that my feet are big like skis - a size 15 boot with a double welt sole makes a big track!    Since these were custom fit to me, they fit like laceups.

Modified to add a pair I had made for the wife

[roo_ster]

A quality pair of properly fitted/chosen pull-ons will fit the wearer's foot nice & snug after a little wearing.  Trust me, I have sprinted after a buddy's escaped dog while wearing my western boots.  No sloppy fit, there.

The uppers are supposed to have some clearance from your calf.

FWIW, I just bought a pair of Redwings today:
http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1162

Black, steel toe, Redwing's comfy Supersole & Poron insole (just like my two pair of 6" lace-up steel-toe boots).

I already own a fine pair of western boots (rhino hide lowers, bull hide uppers), but I wanted something steadier when holding the kids like when we go to church.  I don't want to take a spill on concrete steps with slick(er) soles and tall(er) heels.

All my Redwings are black and will take a polish, so I can wear them with everything from jeans to suits.

[Chris]

Okay, I like combat boots and nice hiking/hunting boots for casual wear.  No particular brand, just look and fit.  What I'm looking for is a boot that I can wear with semi-dress clothing to work during winter months, which play hell with my good dress shoes.  I've thought about western boots, but they aren't really my style.  Any suggestions?

[auschip]

maybe something like this?

[roo_ster]

Okay, I like combat boots and nice hiking/hunting boots for casual wear.  No particular brand, just look and fit.  What I'm looking for is a boot that I can wear with semi-dress clothing to work during winter months, which play hell with my good dress shoes.  I've thought about western boots, but they aren't really my style.  Any suggestions?

Here are a bunch of soft-toe work boots that might qualify:
http://www.redwingshoe.com/ProductResults.aspx?Query=&ProductType=Work%20Boots&SubType=Soft%20Toe

Do you want to be able to put a polish on them? A polish usually allows one to wear them with anything up to a suit.  Here are some black ones that take a polish:
http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1028

http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1052

http://www.redwingshoe.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1123


I have two pair similar to the first, but my favored exact configuration is no longer manufactured.  I should be good-to-go for a few years, though.  My first pair went 5-6 years before being resoled and at that time I also bought my second pair.  Especially since I just bought a pair of pull ons to include in the rotation.