If I remember correctly, I'm up to my third pair of these boots. The last pair lasted almost exactly two years, and would have lasted longer if I hadn't completely worn down the sole to the point that it was just flat.

They are definitely solid boots.  The soft, strong leather improves over time -- they definitely require a break-in period before they're really comfortable, but they will get there after a week or so. The water resistance is excellent as long as the waterline stays below your ankles.

I've been using these as my everyday shoes for some time -- they double nicely as motorcycle boots, and since I ride to work whenever the weather permits, these get a lot of use. Some of the wear in the soles is surely because of this, and I have some marks in the leather above my left toe from the shifter, but it's only noticeable up close. Splashes and kicked up water/oil/dirt from other cars is not a problem at all, although in a good heavy rain, water still gets in through the top as it comes through my jeans and trickles down my leg.  But that's unavoidable. The boots are also resistant to slippery surfaces like spots of oil on the asphalt. When I put my foot down at a traffic light, I don't have to worry about my foot slipping.

The use of hooks instead of holes for the ankle part of the boot is a great help in getting them on and off quickly and easily. The only downside to this is that in 12-18 months, the laces will start to fray from being dragged over the hooks over and over. But the laces themselves are strong -- they have a core and sheath composition, so the sheath will eventually give first.  Since the laces can still be used for a while with the core exposed, you'll have plenty of time to get another set of laces after the sheath splits. And again, we're talking more than a year before that happens anyway. :)

They do seem to run big, so be wary of that. My shoe size is normally about a 10.5 or 11, but with these shoes I have to buy a 9.5.

One last thing to keep in mind, they're a bit heavy. Mine weigh in at almost a full pound per shoe! So don't expect to be using these for hiking or anything like that -- they're work boots, after all.