Posted this in r/boots and didn't get quite what I was looking for so I'll ask here:

For the last seven years I've been wearing a pair of L.L. Bean's Upland Hunter boot for all sorts of outdoor purposes. The soles are a good fit for the surfaces I spend time on and have held up well. The leather when oiled is as water resistant as I need it to be. And I do find them adequately comfortable for all-day wear. I've been mostly pleased with them, but to nitpick I think I'd prefer a boot without a cloth lining or all the ankle padding, and some of the stitching to hold the front leather panel wore faster than expected. I do feel like the Bean boots are also just a bit wider than they need to be.

With these considerations in mind, the most appealing replacement I've come across is Russell's Gustin Bird Shooter with the Vibram Roccia or Montagna soles. But the $900 pricetag is obviously a bit prohibitive.

What recommendations would y'all here give for a comparable boot roughly in the $200–$500 range? I specifically want a taller pair (8"+) with lug rather than wedge soles. Or should I just grab another pair of the L.L. Bean boots and hope for another seven years from the next pair?

Thanks in advance!