The best boot is the one that is built to last and fits your foot. You have to try on a lot of boots. Use a liner sock, smooth out any wrinkles. Then put on the main sock, smooth out any wrinkles. Do not simply lace from toe in order. Use the method that skips a set of hooks as start up before ankle then double back. This locks the pressure on the toe since you need that different than from ankle zone.
I tried on about 5 brands at a big outdoors show while had borrowed a Mystery Ranch pack with a lot of weight in it. One brand was fantastic. I still use those boots a decade later and other than some nicks and new laces and a bit of glue the boots are still great. The only time I felt the mountain needed a better boot was in Alaska in some steep stuff, really steep stuff, where needed a longer support shank running heel to toe but mine was shorter. Or, plastic mountaineering boots would have worked in that really steep stuff plus when cross streams can let the water run out of the boot then put your socks back on after dry your feet.
