Depends on the day. Yesterday, a soggy melting snow day, I wore a pair of 17” high Mucks. I love Mucks, comfortable, waterproof, have 3 pairs.
One take away from all this “research” and so many days wearing boots: do NOT keep them if the toe is tight. They won’t open up despite the build (leather or poly) and this IS why I had several returns. I ended up buying 1/2 size up on both the short Danner and LaCrosse boots. If not returnable, you can wet them (if leather) and wear TWO pair of thick socks to open up the toe- wearing them until they are dry. Danner actually suggests this technique- wet boot two pair of socks all day (but NOT wet socks inside).
The Pronghorn Danners are my size in a sneaker- but the EE width. They REALLY feel good after a week on the foot. These will be a single sock boot for spring and fall (everything but summer as they do have 400g Thinsulate).
The short Danners were tight in my size and ARE my future summer hunting/outdoor boot and the extra 1/2 size in D was needed there. I’d guess an average thickness, wool hiking sock in them will be perfect now.
The LaCrosse are the most insulated (at 600g Thinsulate) and have room for two pair of socks (or a wool liner with heated socks) by my just going up that 1/2 size (same D width)- they are perfect now. For $100 they are a hell of a great feeling boot I feel will get many years of winter hunts taken care of (even sub-zero *using electric socks).
After the last two weeks with snow drifts (a few feet high) on the back deck, major ice everywhere, and below 15 degrees for 10 days— it’s been the PERFECT time to break in boots running around indoors with a few hunts to get these boots wet some and lately they are starting to fit better- a good thing 
Bean duck boots
Last night I happened across a YT video by Rose Anvil (who cuts boots in half to show their construction) in which he put 4 brands of duck boots in water to just past the rubber/leather seams. All 4 leaked. One of them was an LL Bean. 
Disappointed.
I’ll have to look at that. I don’t expect mine to be waterproof above the rubber, but I did treat with snoseal to help with that. I haven’t had mine leak, but I also don’t walk for great distances in deep water. Which reminds me, I need to clean and retreat my boots when it warms up.
Edit:Just saw the video. I don’t know what the general consensus is, but I would not expect leather to ever be waterproof unless it is lined with something or treated. Even then if absolute waterproofness were the goal, I would rely only on rubber or some similar synthetic material.
Bates
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I buy some Meindl Himalaya 15 years ago. I wear it 10 days by years on winter. I’m really happy with it.
Think OP’s intention was to ask about work type boots but I’ll address the more “fashion” style as I don’t see a lot of that style. I wear boots almost exclusively as I have bad ankles and appreciate the support. Right now my rotation is 3 Chippewas and I’ve been a fan of them for many years. They aren’t entirely made in the USA anymore but the quality seems as good as I can ever remember. If you’re on BLF you ought to know by now that overseas manufacturing has come a long way. Anyhow at present I have the Engineer Boots, Homestead Boots, and Service Boots, the Service Boots being the most comfortable but also my least favorite stylistically. I typically favor oxblood color (have first two in that color) but I have the Service Boots in tan and they’re very nice also.
I’m not a fanboy of Chippewa but their lasts seem to fit my foot shape best of the major brands I tried. Maybe about 15 years ago I spent about 3 hours at a Red Wing store trying on Iron Rangers and every step was agony. They insisted that all similar boots aren’t comfortable at first and “you gotta break them in.” BS! A boot should be at least fairly comfortable as soon as you put it on, or it either isn’t sized right or doesn’t have the right last shape for YOUR foot. It should go from “comfortable” to “more comfortable” not “misery” to “tolerable.”
I also had a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots years ago that were nice, might get another pair too but they’re a little spendier than the Chippewas.
Ever try ExtraTough?
I have not tried the XtraTufs yet but I know their great rep. in the Alaska Fisheries (at least when they were US made). Course, I have 3 pairs of Mucks to get through first before I start buying new boots.
I have some muck boots knock offs I got from academy sports that have held up just as good as any of the mucks I’ve owned for half the cost. Don’t remember the name and they out in the shop right now. They don’t have them on the website.
I bought some Red Wings chukkas a year or so ago and yes the break-in period was horrible. For the first couple weeks they actually recommend only wearing the boots for half the day and then switching to a different pair. However after the break-in period the boots felt wonderful. It’s not for everyone but now I know what to expect when I get a second pair.
Yeah if you buy a pair of real boots, break in might last 6 months under hard use. Poorly made boots still break in but they loosen up and start to poorly fit.
Good boots are made of leather. Leather is a natural product that shapes and wears over time. Yeah you can pay to have a form made of your feet and have custom boots made but otherwise you have to break a pair of boots in.
Insulated Xtratufs (with the steel toe) were the go-to boots for field work at our geotech/environmental office in Alaska. I had some leather waterproof Red Wings at first, but the Xtratufs performed so much better for our type of work in dirt/mud/wetlands/snow, etc. Easy on and off, real waterproofness, very comfortable, and warm (with thick socks, all day in –25F). Mine were from when they were US made. Unfortunately, they got chewed up by a dog.
Back many years ago when I still ice fished, LaCrosse Icemans kept my feet toasty. Still have them but haven’t worn them for years. I just looked them up and they are still sold. $171. Mine were about $50 back then.
Me all wore Durango harness boots before I got too fat to take them off .
You know, my python boot was too tight
Couldn’t get it off last night
Weeks went by, now it’s July
I finally got it off
And my girlfriend cried……
Stinkfoot …
You Got It!
I had seen Danner a few times when I was researching boots. I’d gone with a pair of Zamberlan Baffin boots, because Amazon had a blowout sale on an “open box” pair (it was just a partially damaged box), saving 50%. Otherwise I’d have selected the Danner.
For more casual hiking shoes, ecco is a great brand. I have their Xpedition II low. Lightweight and very rugged Yak leather. Also a pair of their upgraded Track II (now Track 25, PHOTO), which solved the old sole decaying problem and refined the interior.
