My biggest issue with wearing boots is they're not good with shin guards. I've been looking for a good pair of steel toe sneakers, but I'm having trouble finding any to try on. I need to know if they're flexible enough for crouching since I don't sit on a bucket.
You can get a decent pair of umpire plate shoes for $100 or less. Not super fashionable, and you can't really wear them anywhere else...then again...you'll have plate shoes...and shin guards...at that point you're practically there...just buy the chest protector, mask, indicator and plate brush....join us...join us...