My first pair was a pair of Ariats. I wanted something with a rubber sole for good, year round wear. They just happened to be the most comfortable, reasonable boots on the floor, for me. I was looking under $200 at the time. I have a good friend who works as a site manager for a construction company. He wears Ariats every day to the job site and they're holding up great. He beats the hell out of those boots and he's had them for a few years.
I have a hand-me-down pair of Naconas from ca. 1989 and they're awesome. My father in law passed them on to me after putting some miles on them. They're full quill ostrich with a quilted ostrich upper. He replaced the soles once, did a lot of dancing in them back in the day and they still look like they could be new. I'm not sure if Nacona is still as good as they used to be, but my boots are great.
I have a hand-me-down pair of Naconas from ca. 1989 and they're awesome. My father in law passed them on to me after putting some miles on them. They're full quill ostrich with a quilted ostrich upper. He replaced the soles once, did a lot of dancing in them back in the day and they still look like they could be new. I'm not sure if Nacona is still as good as they used to be, but my boots are great.