I use a pair of the waxed cotton uppers Bean Boots for most of my hunting from August through October (and later if not too cold). They are a great lightweight workhorse. If one places a wool felt insole in the bottom and/or wears a thick wool sock, then the moisture issue can be handled much easier than in GoreTex boots that don't breathe.
As to leakage, simply wax the uppers and especially the seams ahead of time. That is pretty much true of any non-GT boot though, so seems obvious. A beeswaxed pair of Bean leather boots is about indestructible except on very jagged rocks for the soles.
I have a new pair of insulated leather Cabelas for late this fall. They seem to be a good boot looking at them, but have not wrung them out just yet.
