I will have to disagree with you on the Dakotas. these boots are the absolute worse boots i have ever owned in my life. I work the rigs and a good hard use boot is a must. and all i have to say about Dakotas (especially the tarantula) is that they are not a hard use boot. my pair lasted me about 6 months before i completely gave up on them. the inner insulation ripped i think month 2, the lace eyelets are either all broken or cracked. the rubber tarantula sole started to die about month 4 and is almost worn off, and has cracked so for the last week or so of wearing the boots (working in the bush so could not replace them and had to suffer) i had the pleasure of working all day with soaking wet feet. these boots are warrantied for a year and i am so disappointed with them that i refused to go in and get another pair. they are uncomfortable and unreliable. I can see why they are super rebated; because they are worthless. that's my rant. IMO buy red wings.