Fiorentini&Baker Black Corded Boots - any alternatives?? (...no...)

[EngineerByNature]

Hello everyone,

I have just discovered I like wearing nice clothes (shocker.... i'm sick of looking slum as hell all the time like the other engineers, day in and day out).

I am in the market for some boots.

I stumbled upon Fiorentini & Baker's Black Corded Boots:

http://www.stylebop.com/product_deta...21&ia-pmtrack=

I looked else where but, by this style name, not many retailers came up on search. I found a similar pair on gimme shoes: F&B Elios:
http://www.gimmeshoes.com/product_in...oducts_id=1538

but they appear to be a bit different in the way light reflects off them, the ones on style bop looks more classic-worn leather (which I dig over the other, shiny-er Elios photo). Are they the same? and if so, what do you all think?

I love the style and want them like crazy but I am fighting myself over that price tag!
Are there any alternatives that are similar? Or anywhere near as classic and classy a style? Knowing I like these, anything else come to mind that maybe i should consider before taking the dive for these??

I've never owned a pair of really nice, well, anything, let alone shoes so please help fill in the noob here:

These shoes are not really made for heavy wear right? like, one only wears $430 dollar boots on occasion? I'm fearful of wearing through the soles and, i love the style, and for that price, I wanna get my time in (but I don't want to ruin them!!!)

My birthday is next month and I'm really betting on getting these for myself. Worth it? And if so, fill me in, how do I get the most out of these damn expensive kicks?


Thanks everyone for helping me find what I want! I'm definitely digging these boards

-Ben