to get good durability prior to the goodyear welt, you'd need to shell out extra for a good pair with a norwegian welt. so now with modern adhesives you can get something just as waterproof for waaaay less money
John CThe other thing about "boots theory" is that Vimes is talking about boots that phyiscally fall apart - as in the leather seams collapse completely, which was *Very common* until plastics and the spread of goodyear welts iirc...and doesn't happen much anymore!