Lots of differing results on the OTB boots. I wore mine on one trip and they look suspect already.......I would of never trusted them on a tough trip. My OTB boots are now condemned to salt water use only where they will soon self destruct.

I give kudos to Quentin who turned me on to the Rocky SV2 combat boot via a previous thread. They did the trick for me this past summer.......good drainage, excellent ankle support, aggressive tread. They barely look broken in after 12 long days. I found them very comfortable, no blister issues at all.

Yes they are expensive but they blow the OTB boots away IMO and I believe I can get value in the long run. Remember, these are a wet boot style and it may be "off thread" since we are talking Bean style boots. I suppose a fellow could go with waterproof booties but I found waterproof booties extremely sweaty.

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For a true shoulder season boot I am a big fan of the chota mukluks. You stay dry and warm and do quite well on the trails, I have had very few issues with them and wet footing for me is only a recent development so most of my tripping has been done in these. If you have weak ankles or are prone to sprains look elsewhere.

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