9 loads to get an elk out, ya gotta learn to do something different because we hauled out a Yukon mooose in 9 loads and can do any elk with no more than 4 loads.

As far as good boots, I also used to really like Rocky boots, seemed like they would last almost forever, then the last pair I bought, before a trip to AK, only lasted almost one year before they started to leak water real bad.
Using Lacrose now and they seem like they only last about 3 seasons which isn't very good either. I'm on my 2nd pair of Lacross so we'll see if they last any longer. The first set of them eventually rotted/ripped out the side.
I've never worn out a sole on any boots, except my work boots.