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Mongrels better than redbacks for auzzie work boots. Check out productrewviews dot au and plenty of complaints to redback about hydrolysis.
My recommendations are:
*Norwegian M77 for a 8 inch single layer leather boot that you customize with two socks or socks/insoles to make fit. It's lighter than most boots and if you remove lining of socks you can dry it out overnight easier.
*Redback/Mongrel if you want the fat cushiony midsole most boots share today
*Limmer if you want a welted thick boot. Their off the shelf are made by Meindl in Germany
*If you want a minimalist leather/sole with durability and little padding I'd go with Native Earth of Footskins and buy a vibram sole with sbr compound for a solid rubber for them to glue it on to. I usually go with Vibram Kletterlift or Voyageur if I want a heel. I just upsize and use two layers of wool socks or socks and wool insole for comfort and insulation. This may seem like the larp option but your 5 lb Danners, many of them use a vibram Kletterlift with think leather and the fattest midsole clunk you have ever seen. Total garbage for $400.
*Still testing this option, but Jim Green/Courteney Boots are made in Africa with thick rubber. I think Courtney's tyre tread sole could last 10,000 miles. I am not as confident with the uppers compared to some of the American brands above.
I don't like liners, because if you use them daily you need leather to breathe at night or it will rot if water, including your own, is trapped inside. Goretex probably ends the life of thousands of boots due to this.
This will give you different directions to look into what you want.
