The Haix Fire Hunter is a good boot, Lion have them in Adelaide for about $325, last time I looked. They are pretty much the best of the best when it comes to Bunker boots, and as such, you know that they will never be purchased by the CFS
I know a few people who have been purchasing the Harvaik L3 boot
http://www.firetrader.com.au/prod17.htmI've seen those retail for around $80. They are made of rubber, and to be honest I'm not a fan of those types at all. Very little ankle support and an odd fit in general.
RescueHazmat, I agree with most of what you're saying, except regarding rural fires. Perhaps its because of my hilly local area but I think that ankle support is paramount in rural firefighting boots, and its hard to compare the laced up zippers and the bunker style boots when it comes to this. I also have found that most bunker boots are a fair amount heavier than other styles of boots. Of course it all comes down to the individual experience we have with boots. Try Redbacks vs. Taipans for example, same style, world of difference.
Uniden, if your turnout pants are riding to the middle of your shin and higher, perhaps you need to have them resized? With both PBI and Nomex + liner turnout pants, I've never had them ride up above the top of my boots, there's always been a few inches overlap at the very least.
The other point would perhaps be the versatility of the boots we currently have. They are great for all fire and rescue applications and provide very good bang for their buck. Maybe the stance the CFS need to take with certain things is to approve equipment for use, but not supply it. Mind you, the CFS then have to have both the manpower and the money to test and review different items of equipment.