/fa/ - Fashion

I need to get a nice pair of boots.

I like the aesthetic of pic related and link attached and don't want to stray too far away from that look.

My current two issues keeping me from confidently buying a pair (not specifically taking about link related) is that since starting to read about /fa/ boots, that people often say that leather boots aren't waterproof. This is really confusing for me, since my combat boots are leather apart from the soles, and are completely waterproof and have survived almost a decade of intense military use with me, so now I am weary about buying some new /fa/ boots. I need them to be street-tier waterproof, as I live in a really rainy city, but not heavy-duty outdoors-tier waterproof, so basically just enough to confidently and completely keep my feet dry if I step in a puddle or something. There is nothing that I hate worse than having to spend a day with wet feet because I stepped in a puddle.

Secondly is the price. I know the saying that you should never cheap-out on boots, but I am not currently financially ready to drop half a grand on a nice pair of vintage redwings. What are some places where I can look at a wide variety of boots and try them on in person, preferably specifically to Vancouver Canada?

Budget is around 200, a little bit flexible (I know not an ideal budget, but not ready to spend more until I get out of school and get a net-positive income)

Also, thoughts on boots with side zippers? Not really too big on them, but are they waterproof? I hear issues about the zippers not staying zipped up and whatnot.

Any additional advice, experience, info, and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/timberland-bardstown-cap-toe-boot-men/4331776?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=DARK%20GREY%20BOUNDRY