Wet ground made me rethink where boots sit in my gear budget

Last season i parked farther from the spot than planner and spent the first hour walking wet ground in the dark .

The hill was not difficult,but cheap boots would have made every step annoying

I had hesitated over the replacement cost because my entertainment spending bcgame included,comes out of the same limited monthly budget .after that morning, the boots were the one purchase i did not resent.My socks stayed dry,nothing rubbed, and I was not thinking about turning around early

I am not looking for a brand list.I am trying to understand what experienced hunters check first when replacing boots for wet,hilly ground:fit after several hours,waterproofing,sole stifness,or something else i am overlooking?