I'm surprised no one has suggested Doc Martins.
I know they are expensive ($120 for boots, $100 for sandals) but they last FOREVER. I've had mine for eighteen months and I polish them maybe once a month, and I've done everything from go to school to travese a woodland playing paintball to cross snow-covered fields in Ohio and they have held up wonderfully. They are prefect shoes IMO. Comfortable, rugged, durable, and they give you a good social image. I should be able to kepe them for at least another year.
Trust me,the $120 is worth it. I used to spend $60 on a pair of athletic shoes every six months, but they would fall apart due to my abuse. Now I have a pair of doc boots and I'm picking up sandals for this summer (since my damn cheapo AE sandals fell apart last summer), and I will gladly drop that money.