"Hiking boots" have become a marketing meme.

I had a good solid pair of Vasque boots for almost 12 years that I used on my more challenging excursions, I replied them twice and re glued the sole once. A good pair of boots worth the 320 or so leaf dollars.

I've had other "throw away" day hikers when not using the Vasque boots.
But when I went to go replace my good boots I found that for one, Vasque boots are now shit and got rid of all their good models. So I naturally branched out and found the similar vibe, "Hiking boots" have become expensive, overly flashy designed garbage.

I eventually had to start looking at hunting boots to find what I wanted. Better boots, better quality for a cheaper price.

Anyway, rant over. Fuck modern "outdoor" equipment. It's only gotten worse since I was a teen.