I'll definitely keep this in mind! Thrifting has been great for try before you buy for me. Takes a long time, and sometimes amazing stuff is either just outside of my size or way too out, but I definitely find stuff that's like 36-34 instead of 36-30 so I cuff it and see. Problem with this is, it affects the fit when the maker assumes you're 6 inches taller than you are xD

Still, I've been blessed to save hundreds on high quality brands, some of which I'd definitely more quickly drop 40$ on in Poshmark barely worn then 200$+ new and possibly still have to return and find out I need a wider waist or something.

It does not. Thus terminating this conversation.

Also you clearly didn't read, so I still don't care:

"You can believe wackadoodle internet theories sans evidence all you like. "

You were already given a link to read and disregarded it so... No I do not think I will. Seems like a waste of time.

I do like your recommendation for Filson tin cloth, though. :) One day I'll spare the dosh required to get one of their jackets or something.

Factually incorrect. Cheaper variants of the same brands exist because some stores do in fact get cheaper made variants, seconds, lower end models/lines, etc.

Fascinating... didn't realize Poshmark had stuff that cheap!

Yes. Real wrangler is a good tip not being brought up enough, ironically when OP themselves brought up varying quality between department stores for Levi's lol

I thrifted two pairs of All American a while back, and all I can say is I HATE the pockets. Short, small, and attached too high up so you have to squeeze your hands on. Otherwise they're stellar. Not as nice as my (also thrifted) COH [granted these won't be as durable but they're a more luxury cut/look and soft and breathable while maintaining durability] or my Duluth's which have been bulletproof and were faded even when I bought them. Virtually zero sign of wear otherwise. I'll probably bite the bullet and buy some new Union Blues next. Maybe try these Dearborns being discussed here as well. FWIW I thrifted a pair of Gustins and they're VERY nice in all regards but I'll have to lose some weight to really try them.

FWIW Wrangler jeans very SO much and there's SO MANY styles and it also depends on if you get them at Walmart, Target, Trailer Store, etc. I avoid them mostly now because they tend to fade and wear easier, stitching frays and snaps, and fit and thickness varies like mad. Ironically, one of my favorite pairs of blue jeans currently is a very nice pair of wranglers. Anyway...ymmv. Research research research, people!

And don't be afraid to hit the thrifts 1-2x a week. Try before you buy. It's how I learned I really like UB's "Tech" pants that I'm starting to fall out of love with primarily because I wish the leg tapered a bit more but also because I'll be lucky if they last 2-3 years of hard wear. I'd rather find a solid all rounder that can do it all. So far I thrifted some Kuhls and Mountain Hardwear and while the Kuhls are nice they're a bit thinner and probably more strictly for hiking or multipurpose but the Mountains...DEAR Lord there are nice! Thick, just heavy enough, sueded at the top to not ride up or down, etc.

To be fair I forgot to mention my Breville were acquired from Amazon but still direct from Breville storefront. I think they were RIGHT around 200.

Thorogood for sure.

Setter is way over OPs budget.

An alternative to Thoro would be Belleville or Breville or something idr, but it's a very common boot from back in the day issued to the people in the air force walking in hangers all day before they cheaped out. I'm sure a quick Google would pull it up. Mine held up great, were fairly comfortable (ordered too small, I now know, so could be amazing for all I know) and it gives you a different style option. I think I had a brownish cherry that looked somewhere between a dressier boot and a combat boot.

FWIW the Thoros I'm wearing currently have a thin toebox for my duck feet lol

...I really need to figure out how to reset my phones entire keyboard info. Autocorrect is more harmful than helpful at this point.

I... didn't disparage the product at all, if anything it seems you are reverse shilling with this comment lmao.

It's gotta be tight enough to fuck with your circulation to kill off the follicles. Think less Julian tight black shirt, more compression sleeve but 2-3x as thick. For example, there are many sticks that will fit right, but if you have the extra long boot sock, and it's not a tube sock, chances are as you pull it up there WILL be an uncomfortable tight spot.

Go for a silicon edge liner or something to keep it up, not sheer vice grip tightness. Otherwise it's just a bad fit.

Need to try a different style or size. I had this issue. Made it work for a year before I wore a small hole in the bottom.

Socks too tight will kill your hair. That's why you frequently see men without any hair on their ankles. Same with hats. I mean, or anything.

I think I ordered a medium but should have ordered a large.

Anyway, we will have different shaped feet, and YMMV, but if you wore through any part of it that fast it's because either the sock or your shoes weren't a good fit (or both.)

Go Thorogood friend. CSA, made in USA, very affordable. Apparently, avoid the midnight series, my mistake on that, but it would still be fine if you aren't kicking everything around all the time.

OP: Clear tape on inside, let set on outside. Remove tape. Ez.

Just throwing my hat in the ruby bring, bought a pixel 4a for like 175 off eBay recently, 80% or more battery health seems to be the standard. It's great. Fast, durable, and the battery didn't go to shit in like 2 months like many of my previous phones.