I've worn Danner, McRae, Belleville, and these boots. Bates Lites take the cake. I've done anything you can do in a combat boot in these boots for the past five years, and they've performed way better than I imagined such a light boot would.
Will they last as long as, say, Danner Marines? Probably not. But my Lites are the most comfortable and functional boots I own.
Regarding the "Bates Bite" people refer to across the top of the foot: all you have to do is stick two fingers underneath the bridge (bottom) lace when you pull the laces tight and then tie them as usual. Completely solves the problem.