To a large extent, what you buy should depend on what you want to use them for, when you might use them, and the kind of terrain you expect to cover. Oh, and the shape of your foot!

I've had a pair of Scarpa Rangers for about ten years and they're still going strong. At some point they'll just need a replacement sole, as the current one is wearing out! They're full leather boots with Gore-Tex lining, but light and breathable enough to use in the summer on most terrain.

Meindl also make excellent boots, although they're a bit more expensive and rigid. However, I know form experience that cheap boots can be a false economy, and it's worth saving up for something sturdy. If you get a decade of use out of them, they become your best friends :o)