My last danners lasted one elk hunt in Alaska and fell apart. The pair before, one year. Buddies have same problems too. My first pair I got when they made them in usa lasted my dad probably 5+ years and me 3+ before starting to leak. Sad to see this happen. I will never buy danners again. Yaegers in Bellingham has kennetrek. I love the kennetrek and hunted them right out the box with out discomfort. I am sure that all other mountaineering boots previously in the post(schnees, Han wag, crispi, etc) are great. I tried a few brands at a show and they told me you should have like 1/2" between your toe and boot. I also second the idea of good socks. When I had danners my calves and feet would get sore and I bought ingenious socks and that changed. Also agree you should buy what's comfortable.