RE: rubber or other boots
Danner Antelope boots. I stood in a stream last weekend boning out an elk. After 1 hour and 45 minutes my feet were still bone dry(no pun intended). These boots are rugged yet very light and carry a warranty. For a Danner boot, the price is affordable on just about any budget. I require a good boot in the high country, but wouldn't think twice about walking through a dew soaked clover lot or alfalpha field back east.