Unauthorized Boots, why do SM keep wearing them?

I have a pair of C4Ts, and love 'em, but with much sadness, I choose to lead by example and keep them at home. For me, the brand and model were highly recommended, so I bought them (if I remember right) from AAFES online, not knowing they were prohibited--or just prior to them being prohibited, can't say I remember--and it was some time before I or really anyone in my unit, learned they shouldn't be worn.

SGT(P) (Join to see)

Can't go off the picture to reference unauthorized boots, instead do the boots on their feet meet the regulation?

All the ones pictured were quickly remodeled by the companies to meet regulation. So you really can't say at a glance. Gotta check if the boots meet regulation. If they don't then make a correction.

I suspect it's for at least two reasons: (1), it may not be so much a "Don't Care" attitude as it is a "there are far more important issues to be dealt with every day," (2), and the boots shown above are so microscopically different from the regulation boots.

Because leadership allows it. Hell, they are probably the worst offenders.
I've made this point on a number of occasions.
-Officers, SNCO's and NCO's make more money than the troops. They can afford better gear. Which removes them from understanding the issue gear related problems their troops face. Those leaders who don't comprehend that and all of the ramifications don't deserve to be troop leaders. ["Never ask your troops to do what you are not willing to do."]

On a more generous day I'd take the unit out on a 25 miler. 10 miles into it, I'd do a boot inspection. Those who were not wearing issue would be told they have a choice.
-Turn around, go back and put on your issue gear, hump back out here and then we'll continue.
-Take em off, along with any other non-issue gear and continue the rest of the force march bare foot.

On a less generous day, I'd run the leadership at office hours (art 15.)

I'm usually less than generous when it comes to leadership failing to deserve their position. But then I'm just a mean-spirited SOB.

One option missing. All of the above. Add another. They're probably available at the PX

That pair of OTBs looks similar to the pair of OTBs I have (junglelites)... The only issue I've found is that the soles are soft and wear down after a few months of continuous use, while my basic training boots still hold up strong as ever...

I would say most don't know about it... Boot culture is a thing for obvious reasons, though the regulations aren't well known (except for colors)

I would say in my experience, it's a case of you see them advertised for the military, for sale on post, or another SM wearing them, and you make an assumption

Congress decreed decades ago that what would be issued and authorized for servicemembers had to be made in the USA, not: Usa, China/India/Bangladesh/Vietnam/Mexico/Peru/Chile/Paraguay/Adnausem,

[Here's your culprit: Berry Amendment, USC, Title 10, Section 2533a, originally passed in 1941 to require a buy-American policy for the military. The latest version, which took effect Nov. 16, 2006, prohibits the Department of Defense from buying items of clothing "unless they are wholly of U.S. origin."]

but… I got a mild case of frostbite or while on AD between '76 and 92 because the issued "leg-boots" and multiple pairs of "OD Green wool socks didn't stand up to guard duty in the cold and snow... and yet there were boots available that were designed to withstand the rigors of a North Dakota winter and 'looked" like an approved boot however......

It seems that there is a day and night difference between the “garrison” era leaders and the “combat” era leaders in the responses to this post.... while “most” of the folks that served a garrison army with peace time and few deployments during their tenor in the army are saying “lack of leadership, nco’s are not doing their jobs”..... The “combat” era leaders that have deployed multiple times with their joes (and multiple times with different joes too) are the ones that know that there are more effective ways to spend your time than uniform inspections for unauthorised boots.... if joe is wearing boots that are comfortable for him and they allow him to complete his mission with out foot injuries (blisters, bleeding, or broken ankles) that is called a win! “Combat” leaders are more focused on training muscle memory tactical operations to make sure you bring them all home at the end of the NEXT deployment...The garrison “spit-shined” 9-5 soldier is long gone!

None of this addresses what is unauthorized about the boots

An interesting dilemma. When I was in 100 years ago, (seems like it sometimes), we had two choices. Issue, (we called them KP boots), or Corcoran jump boots, if you could afford them. Either required a high shine, the infamous "airborne cap" on Corcorans. This new generation of boots that are deemed unauthorized. I'd be curious as to why.