Thanks but nope. Samey thing as them Danners... I don't like tight lace-ups in the winter. That's why I want another alpine hiker. They retain room inside, and the wool does not get compressed. I get cold in them lace-ups, and since I am in gaiters most all the time, I don't need any higher than the ankles.
Them Dexters were nigh on bulletproof. I had em nearly thirty years, and abused them daily. Every single piece of them had been replaced several times. But finally my cobbler cried enough. Now I wish I'd twisted his arm just a bit more. Best boots I ever had.
Had a set of Herman Survivors a while back that weren't bad - Didn't really like the high rubber rand that acted like a tub and rotted the leather underneath. They lasted alright and all, but when it came time to repair, nothing was repairable. I am sick to death of glued up boots. Thinking of hitting up Nick's or White to see if they'd custom some alpine boots.
Well, to each their own. The last Herman Survivors I had were junk. They didn't survive. I had some fleece (fleece-ish?) lined Chippewas many moons ago that were pretty good, but again, lace-ups. The hiking boots I still have were Thom McCann's (they are almost 50), which surprised me for their durability, wearability, and I climbed in them too. Never found pac boots with a strong enough sole for me, so If I am in the boonies, it's like wearing slippers. My big ol' congenitally flat feet just don't like that in rough terrain. As for lace-ups, the Georgia Boot ones are about the best I have worn in cold. plenty of toe room, even with the woolies, and well enough insulated that my feet don't get cold. I have to say that much for them. Unfortunately, of the newer offerings, the 1000 gram thinsulate boots aren't being offered.
If it isn't rated for -30 or colder, I don't want it, except to wear in summer.
Last pair of Pac Boots I bought that did fairly well were Guide Gear -40 rated and IIRC 1000 gram thinsulate. I put rubbers on them to keep oil based drilling mud from eating them and they lasted a few years. My feet never got cold in them, even sitting still in -30 weather, but again, while well padded, they were not the best on harsh and uneven surfaces, likely because they were made mainly for snow. I went through three sets of rubbers but never wore the soles out, (because the rubbers did their job of protecting them).
But good hiking/climbing boots are hard to come by.
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