Gordon wrote
SMS wrote

All the experts agree that the best option is to get a shoe that has a breathable, waterproof membrane.

You're at it again - dogmatic unsubstantiated preaching. WHAT "experts"? Give us some citations.

Yeah, pity about the military that would have to be more expert than most.

The most you can really claim with them is that their needs can be a
bit different to someone's needs for recreation, particularly when its
much easier to have multiple different footware for recreational situation.

What's the point of having a membrane lined SHOE when the water will go over the top FAR easier than with boots?

Most obviously when you choose to walk where it can be
wet after rain etc, but not thru rivers and standing water etc.

I personally dont even bother to walk after heavy rain, mainly
because where I walk ends up with massive build up of mud
on the bottom of the boots in that situation. But then we get
that sort of rain very rarely, hardly ever more than once a year
and its easy to avoid those days when you walk roughly daily.