I'm glad to see my second choice mentioned, Herman Survivors. The only problem I had with them was the ugly. Even from up where the eyes are located it's obvious, ugly. But they wore well and were comfortable right out of the box.
For the last fifteen years I've worn Hightest with the metatarsel (sp) guard. I haven't lost a foot stomping contest since. I think the model I wear is something 77. They wear well, are under two hundred dollars, and are comfortable right out of the box. Having sore feet working in a new pair of boots ranks right up there with a root canal for me.
I'm hard on boots, some years I'll go through three pair, most years two. Some of the more popular brands mentioned here cost as much as the Hightest and wore out in half the time.
If you're around equipment I strongly suggest considering the metatarsel (sp) protection in addition to the steel toe. It gives the area above the steel toe some protection. I don't know about anyone else, but darn those bones across the arch are sensitive, must be the nineties part of my personality. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif