At my last "boot change" I gave up on leather walking boots and bought synthetic onces instead. What a revalation to have boots that don't need breaking in, and to end a day on the mountains with dry feet.
I bouht a pair of KSBs (Karrimor super boots) when I was about 15 years old. They lasted about 25 years before getting thrown out cos they stank of peat. I've never bought leather boots since.
I’d be doing well if I got 6 or 7 months out of foundry boots. The usual problems were either the uppers disintegrating due to acid or the soles melting on hot iron.