I used to like Danners and a few other makers, but their quality has gone downhill lately IMO.
The last couple years I have used Kenetrek and a Romanian maker known as AKU. That AKU is the only pair I have ever had that lasted longer than one season. It is 10" or so tall and has (I think) 400 grams of thininsulate, or whatever their equivalent is. I like them a size too big so thicker socks can be worn when its really cold. I haven't found them to be overly hot in warmer weather, but they are a little if you're hiking a lot in 60 or so degree weather. They're also not too big to get into stirrups.
Most of the normal boots, Irish Setter, Redwing, Underarmor, newer Danners, Rocky's etc. have rarely lasted me more than a couple months. The seams attaching the sole to the rest of the boot usually blow out first and then they're useless.
Meindl seems like a good one too, but I have not had enough of them to really get a feel for them.
