My favorite shoes are the Red Wing Iron Ranger's. I worked for them for 3 years and when I left I was gifted my second pair. They're great shoes in everyway. I only wish they had an 8 inch version available in the states. They had one back then in Europe, but nothing stateside. My two sets and the pile of other shoes I got when I worked there have been going strong some years on so I haven't boot shopped in a while, maybe they finally took my advice and did it.