I'm in the firmly "they work for me" camp.
I have two pairs of Thors (so happy with the first pair, bought a second pair in case the discontinued them) that are now nine years old. I alternate them during the season, so probably more like 4.5 years each. I average 300-400 miles per hunting season in typically pretty shitty country; have been fortunate to have packed out critters every year.
I wanted a leather pair for my sheep hunt in the Brooks Range and went with Briksdal's—they fit as well as the Thor's do for me. I use them here later in the season as they're a little warmer and the combination of treated leather and Gore makes them more water resistant.
I've tried a lot of boots before settling on Crispi. I'm pretty sure a lot of those boots were good boots, but the fit was not perfect—Crispi's (at least the Thor and Briksdal) feet my feet like they were made for me.
I have two pairs of Thors (so happy with the first pair, bought a second pair in case the discontinued them) that are now nine years old. I alternate them during the season, so probably more like 4.5 years each. I average 300-400 miles per hunting season in typically pretty shitty country; have been fortunate to have packed out critters every year.
I wanted a leather pair for my sheep hunt in the Brooks Range and went with Briksdal's—they fit as well as the Thor's do for me. I use them here later in the season as they're a little warmer and the combination of treated leather and Gore makes them more water resistant.
I've tried a lot of boots before settling on Crispi. I'm pretty sure a lot of those boots were good boots, but the fit was not perfect—Crispi's (at least the Thor and Briksdal) feet my feet like they were made for me.