4) don't step in puddles

buy salomon goretex hiking boots.

brb office shoes must be formal

brb hike shoes on my walk to work

brb change at office

brb too much work

Just get a pair of good leather boots and use a waterproofing spray. They will already be naturally water resistant by virtue of being made of leather. Add waterproof spray and you'll easily double to triple the lifespan of the boots. Give them at least 3 coats to start, and 2-3 coats every year or so. If you really want to make it super easy, just apply like 6 waterproofing coats when you first get them, then slap another coat or two on whenever you feel like it, but there will never really be a rush.

Make sure you get the good stuff, too. The legit waterproofing stuff. Don't try to save a few bucks by getting a lower grade formula. For example, Kiwi sells different levels of it, the most water resistant one being made to water proof even things like tents to withstand rain storms as well as footwear. Use some heavy duty stuff like that, and you're good to go.

As far as "recurring cost" goes, water proofing shoe/boot spray doesn't have to be expensive. You could get a couple cans of solid stuff for like $12 and be set for years. Beyond that, just make sure you're careful with how you treat your footwear that will be getting wet and chit. For example, I exclusively shovel snow in either my boots that I water proofed the chit out of, or some older crappier leather work shoes I don't care about anymore. You don't put footwear you don't want beat to hell, or at least prepared for dealing with it through stresses like stepping in mud, puddles, snow, etc. on a regular basis.