Polishing looks nice but it’s not moisturizing the leather like an oil, like mink oil. My Double-H boots were the boots I wore if I wasn’t in work boots. Those boots went from CA to FL, NH to TX, on a motorcycle rode in the weather from Mexico to Canada and back to Southern California.
Just because they’re $400 and Italian doesn’t mean they’re any good. Fashion boots aren’t necessarily using good leather or good soles.

You’re not taking care of your boots then, leather is skin and needs care. I have a pair of boots in my closet that lasted ten years, until I made a mistake and ruined them. I’m not ready to let them go yet.