Merrils-- worn out after three season of elk hunting and packing out three elk. Got them on sale at REI for $40. That's about $13 an elk.
Rips through all the way through the fabric right at the rubber toe cover. Very comfortable, light weight and silent boot with adequate ankle support.
Some new advances in Vibram composition are providing a softer and queiter sole for stalking
Got a new pair of Lowa's but heel pocket is too large and slips badly. Both heals blistered to bleeding and two toes nearly done in after six miles of elk hunting. Boot is very hard to get broken in, if it will ever break in.