I love boots. But I don't love what happens to them in the rain. Cheaper synthetic boots leak and the finish seems to goes a bit funny after too many rounds of damp (I do try to dry them by the radiator). I had two pairs of leather Caterpillar hiker boots go really weird after their first winter, all cracked and looked absolutely ancient, even though I dried and polished them. That surprised me. I haven't even dared to wear my best suede ones in the rain.
I have about a 30 minute walk in the morning for school-run and commute, plus 10 mins at the other end after the station. Not a problem, I like the walk, a raincoat and umbrella suffices, but shoe-wise, everything seems to end up getting proper worn out.
On very heavy and snowy days I wear my decent, waterproof hiking boots and change into normal shoes at work.
Am I missing something in regards to shoes and wet-weather? Either I'm mad for thinking regular leather or synthetic boots can hold up to puddles and torrential downpours day-in, day-out, and I should just give up and wear wellies on these days - how are they for walking in? Never actually worn any since primary school - or maybe there's a better kind of sealant I could have put on my leather ones so they didn't age so badly?
Wet boot advice, all welcome :)