For activities involving walking or travel, I like a low cut, light weight boot. Over the years I have gravitated to lower and lighter as my ankles have strengthened. I have a pair of Vasque Sundowners which has worked from high Sierra snows to the desert. There are several other equivalent brands available. The key to quality is boots with a minimum of seams.<br><br> For work situations, I like high top, all leather boots without insulation. This type of boot is mandatory for wild land fire fighting, which I used to pursue prior to retirement. I think the pair I have now are made by Georgia - again a lot of folks make similar boots.<br><br>If I had to go with just one boot, I would probably go with the work boots, since they hike fairly well and are safer and more protective in situations where low tops begin to falter.<br><br>Forget Gore-tex and insulation. Get quality leather, but large enough to accommodate a second pair of socks. Waterproofing comes from regular applications of waterproofing compound and good boot care.