re: Best All-Around Walking/Hunting Boot

I keep seeing LLBean boots recommended and don't agree entirely.

I've had too many pairs to remember since 1991. Recent quality has been poor. Stitching of leather to rubber is failing fast and has on my last 3 pairs. Its failing on a pair I bought 18 months ago. They are my 4th back up boot- I only wear them when I will be walking a long distance, need to be extra quiet, its not cold and will be muddy. These boots are COLD after 2 hours in temps below 40.

I've been using the USMC temperate goretex boots (belleville 500 bates equivalent) for 5 years- They are great but have the damn vibram soles which are super slippery/dangerous on ice and rocks. Bought on ebay before prices got out of hand. Good down to 20 or so with thick socks.
Second pair is the air force equivalent- belleville 690. Similar boot, just green. Same dangerous sole. A little colder than the 500. I can wear these in the summer, but get a little warm above 75
3rd pair is Belleville 693/793- these are great- they fixed the sole; its good down to 32 or so. Cannot wear in hot summer weather- too hot
4th pair is Sorel caribou- for weather under 32 but above 0. Those sorels have the same design (leather/rubber) but the sorels last 5 times as long as the bean boots with half the wear time.

Below 0 I use bunny boots. Wore them for 10 hours outside continously today at low of 2 and high of 17 degree temps.
YRMV

EDIT- the 793 is probably best all around boot for me. I surf ebay and bought all these cheap.

I can't wear out these field and stream boots I got 3 years ago. Feet don't get cold, never get wet, comfortable to walk miles. I got them thinking they might last a season or two but they've been great. But Dicks sucks so don't get those now.

They have been fantastic for me! Very comfortable!

I like hiking style Keens as a hiking boot, I have used Danners as well. For a more waterproof boot I like mucks - have walked miles in them and they are great. I am not a fan of ll bean boots as hiking boots if you are hiking in a rocky env the soft soles in a ll bean boot are hell on your feet. You need a good lug sole for rocks. I learned this on a quail hunting trip to TX