I bought a pair of "cheap" Response Gear duty boots in high school for $25 and they held up well. They are meant for LEOs, Firefighters, and EMS. I used them at my security gig at amd urgent care and when I got a second job at a hospital I bought a pair of Bates for over $100. The Response Gear ones performed better than the Bates so much so that now working on the floor of a Mental hospital I rely on the RG boots.
Loved them so much I just bought a desert version and also bought a pair of Smith and Wesson Ranger Sidezip Waterproof boots to put through test runs and see how they perform hiking, fitness rucks, and tactical training.
Will probably look into the Merrells tactical versions of there MOABs. Definately noticed a difference wesring duty boots over shoes or ankle height boots. But personal perference.