Over the weekend I bought a pair of REI far too expensive "Outlast" mountain climbing/hiking boots. The
break in period given an average of 16 hour days this week and even with premium insoles, is killing me. Still since I don't do
stage weights for a living, as long as a tough work boot like boot frame, it's sufficient for most use of it. More important for me is in those rare times when I'm on a ladder, I'm on it all day long and my
foot will curle around the ladder rung. For this reason I have instead of a steel toe, a inner
foot support plate that prevents bending at this part of the
foot.
In addition to this, it was since for other more normal reasons, a hiking boot for large amount of distances traveled in the day in looking at this and that when offering advice on how to fix it. Lots of boots on the market. If you don't
drop stage weights on you feet, a steel tip as a rational might not be the best for you.
More important is a work or hiking boot type in that it will for most purposes better resist the stray rusty
nail sticking up you will step upon better than that running shoe as the primary reason for a hard sole boot, protect your ankle and in general
foot from abuse better than a normal or running shoe, and be designed for walking and climbing upon rough scenic surfaces instad of running.
After that, as said, this inner prevention of the boot bending around the ladder rung has more priority for me than a steel tip. This after also weight in given these boots finally
break in, being comfortable to wear.
My last pair of Eastern Mountan Sports boots lasted about two or three years when of a similar design. Good boot.