Danner. Tried all others and Danner all the way for every reason. I'm a firefighter for 24 hours one day and paramedic for 24 hours the next. 48 on/24 off. I wear my stuff and take care of my feet. I would say 5.11 or blackhawk second. Redwing is durable, but that's about it. Just my opinion backed with experience. To each his own. Good luck with the healing process. It can be long and hard. You'll always have a hitch in your get-a-long now. And you can tell when the weather is about to change.
http://www.danner.com/category/boots.do

 

I have a pair of HD boots that lace up, but also have zippers on the side. That way, you can tie the laces as tight or loose as you like, but you don't have to tie & untie them every time you put them on or take them off.

 

I find lace up boots a pita..Just picked up a pair of side zipper HD boots and love them..on and off really fast and very comfortable.

 

West Coast one day Redwing the other.

From here forward once the redwings wear out strictly West Coast.

Also if you have special needs West Coast can custom make what you need.

 

+ on the Danner comment above. I spent 26 years in the Regular Army. Danners were my boots. When i started riding again I got a pair of lace up HD on sale at the dealer - they are okay. This fall I bought two pair of Danners - one insulated from Cabela's, and one non-insulated. They are the only boots I will wear.

 

Just pick a name brand you trust, make sure you get hightops with good padding around the ankle area.
Ankle support is MUCH better with lace-ups than slip-ons.

 

My old smooth toe black Army boots, I have an inexhaustible supply.

 

I have two pairs of Redwing #980 lace up motorcycle boots. They were made in the USA until Redwing discontinued them.

 

I have tried many types of boots in my years in the trades and bird hunting and Red Wings are the ones for me.
I worked Nukes the last couple of years and safety toes were manditory , but if they were steel you had to take them off & sent them through the security Xray to get in the controlled area. I loved the RW King Toe w/ plastic toes. BTW..The King Toe are made in stinking China.. frost my azz.
Irish Setters wear out the soles fast, but are the best after being resoled. No heel is what a lot of guys want in a boot for working off the iron or other places where a slight tip can lead to a fall, thus Red Wing Irish Setters. My all time favorites; a pair of Irish Setter lace ups for serious work and a pair of pull ons (No moc. seam over the toe to catch sparks & burn the thread) for welding & burning. Also oil tanned vs chrome tanned leather.

 

I understand that HD boots are made by Wolverine, or so I hear. I own them both and they are comfortable in various models.