Guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...
I used to fight fire on a shot crew for the FS and wore logger smokejumpers. The high heel isn't ideal for hiking, but they were really the only thing tough enough other than some smaller specialty makers. My 15 year old whites are still one of my favorite pair of boots for general wear and they are hell for stout.
However, I just stopped by their factory this past month to get a look at the dri foots. I tried them on and walked around a bit. I also examined a pair of current production logger smoke jumpers. Bottom line? I wouldn't spend money on a pair of current production whites myself. The leather quality is embarrassing given whites heritage and price. The sales guy said they still get the best leather they can but there is no doubt the leather quality has gone downhill in the last 10 years. I wouldn't rate current whites any higher in quality than a pair of US made Danners and they cost a fair amount more.
It sucks, but there it is.
