I may surprise you, Davet,

but after years of buying high quality hiking boots (shoes) from REI and replacing them in 1-2 years anyway (I hike and backpack a lot) I decided to try something different.
I went to Walmart.
They have a wide variety of boots designed for other activities, but I am sure, you can find there some boots - fitting to your need nicely. They are usually made in China or Brasil and the price is a fraction of what you pay in a sport store.
Your boots have to be comfortable and warm in winter.
The kind I like is in the price range between $40 - $50. I always look for a good lug sole, yellow or light brown color of the synthetic rubber, which doesn't slide easily on a polished floor in the store. I need a good traction on the rocky, sometimes wet terrain.
In about 2-3 years I replace them with a new pair.
I carry a backpack 25-30lb for a day hike and an overnight backpack 50-60+lb. These boots are reasonably waterproofed and I do not need to put any silicone or grease on them.
For longer trips I like to put in some soft insoles.
I use heavy wool socks with light nylon under-socks in every season - both socks are available from REI and other sport stores.
After the trip I spray a germ killing compound like Lysol Spray or similar - inside the boots.