I replaced my Red Wing Iron Rangers a couple months ago and quality took a shit. Maybe I just got a bad pair. Terrible to hear about the socks. I should have bought more years ago.
In this case, it is likely the company was bought out by venture capital who cut costs and quality to suck the brand dry between the first and second thread.
Absolutely, be the change you want to see in this world. Your clothes will last longer as well. Better quality fabric by the bolt and also you'll know how to tailor them if your body shape changes.
The hive mind / group think stuff on Reddit is strong. I had a friend doing a section of the PCT and he was saying literally everyone had the same setups from socks to water filters.