boot rand?

[eagle#eyes]

Looking at new high end boots for the first time. How important is a full rand on the boot? Is it mostly a protection thing?

 

[Hatchet Jack]

i wear boots with a full rand but it really only gets beat up on the toes. The rest of the rand looks pristine really. I'd think as long as it has something around the toes you'll be fine.

 

[Owenst7]

The upper of my Beartooths along the outsides of my ankles are pretty scraped up from sidehilling. The leather there is still in great shape, but you can tell it's been an abrasion area. I'm not sure if deleting the rand from below that area would have a significant effect on long-term durability or not.