The Silentist

First, if you feel like you need to continue wearing steel-toe boots, despite the fact that you no longer are required to do so, then keep your ironfoots around. I’d rather wear those boots than be minus a few toes for the sake of wearing “cooler” boots.

Not sure what your price range is, but if you’re looking for some rugged alternatives in high-quality leathers that are made in the U.S. of A., then take a look at Red Wing Heritage Collection and Alden boots, which will have a more workwear vibe to them. It all depends if you want something more workwear or more formal (like a brogue boot) and how much you’re looking to spend. 

Obviously, on the high end you can opt for Horween shell cordovan boots that will last you forever. Lots of places are doing collaborations with Alden to make boots from this kind of leather (Epaulet, Unionmade, etc.). 

If your budget is around $500 or lower, then you can probably get any of the Indy boot models from Alden. 

Now, if you’re completely saying “I’m never wearing a boot again! I want to wear dress shoes!”, then we’ve got a whole another discussion, which will end with me saying something along the lines of, “Buy a pair of black captoe balmorals, a pair of brown wingtips and maybe a pair of penny loafers, too.”

It really depends what your day-to-day work life is like.