I've ran laced boots for years... Tried converting said laced boots to front zipped boots = FAIL the zipper shit the bed all the time... So I went with the Converse side zipped boots and was quite happy with them, I wore the bottoms flat and needed to get another pair of boots.. So I tried the
511 side zip boots, and have not looked back. They are a tad heavier than the converse boots, but they are H2O proof, and not nearly as slippery on ice and snow as the
converse. When I wear these boots out, I think it will be another pair of 511 for me.
As for lace up boots... I had a pair of
Matterhorn boots that I wore flat... The boots were comfy as all get up, fit like a glove, wore like iron, almost tank like... I abuse the fuck out of them... A big pluss to them is one NEVER has to worry about putting a polish to the toes with them. The only down side to them was it took a bit of time to lace in to them and or to get out of them.. If I ever go back to a strait lace up, it will be the Matterhorn's.