-did a 75km trip in the spring with Mendl's. From wet, sloppy, cedar lowlands through hardwoods, to rocky quartzite ridges. Water, dirt, rock, 40 degree slopes, 2 days of solid rain, and my boots protected my feet through it all. Can't say enough good things about Mendl's.
My son had Kennetrek light hikers, and the rubber rand came away from the boot. Wet feet for 3 days.
The only downside for me was that the leather Mendl's don't breathe, and during 6 hrs a day of high excertion, with 45 lb packs my feet did sweat, but I just changed socks whenever necessary.