@corsaire you can use a tensor bandage to wrap area that rubs to make them wearable.
For muck boots amazon tidewe brand seems OK we are try a few sets now. The northikee (super cheap) are crappy to wear but easy to slip on for the emergency night run to barn because x has happened or birthing.
Out favorite are bogs or the hunshielded the extra walking padding is a back and knee saver when walking for hours on uneven terrain.
The tidewe $80 northikee $60 huntshield $220 bogs $320. We are trying some ranchers that are in $160 range but too many open right now lol. Best test is fall and winter cold slush… separates the good boots from the rest. Would only go with neoprene risers in much boots now no way would I go back to the horrible rubbing rubber boots.
The lowet part of the boot ankle down needs to be rubber, a heel boot remover tab and a double layer of rubber over toes to get reasonable wear.
Bogs is now 2 years in wear huntshield last about 1 year and rest unknown for now. Mind you that is min 7 km every day and hard use in heavy mud in some parts of the day. The heavy mud destroys boots by separating the soles from the suction…. has gotten so bad had to get someone to throw me a 4×4 piece of plywood so I could use that as I lost boot in mud in pig pen… then dig into wet cold mud to find mud filled boot….
That pen is fixed now with way better drainage…