I can only say that perhaps your friend is a little hard on her boots, expecting a pair of leather boots to do the work of wellies, I've had mine for two years now and I don't use them for wading through deep puddles as the rear zip comes right down the back, they are oiled waxed leather so cope with rain, water on the yard etc and never had any issue with leaking, I wear wellies in deep mud and puddles as I wouldn't wear other leather boots in this situation either.
I'm guilty of living in my Toggi Canyon boots. Bought them to do yard work but they're so comfy I now rarely can be bother changing into my jodh boots/chaps combo to ride. They are quite bulky but I actually find that helps me concentrate on keeping my lower leg still!
I'm normally a Grasmere girl but the last boots only lasted 18 months before dying, and they were looked after just the same as my previous pair which lasted 5 years. This year my budget is less so I've just bought HKM Madrid boots. Unlike Grasmere's they do need breaking in and so once my heels have recovered I'll be wearing them again !
