Here is a FWIW on the Lacrosse Grange boots. Been wearing those for 4 decades and yes the quality has certainly gone down. The rubber starts cracking after 2 or 3 years.
What I have done is treat my Grange boots with Ballistol, a CLP oil. I have a pair from 2019 (I write the year on the back of the boots for reference) that are still going strong. No cracking yet. I rinse the mud off the boots, let them dry, and rub the Ballistol all over the boot with my hands (they say its good for the skin but I don't know about that). Then let it dry outside or in the garage. The oil has a bit of a smell to it, but that wears off with a walk or 2.
I do that twice a year. and it seems to be working well. 2019 is the first pair I treated since it was brand new. I did try the Ballistol on some boots I already had but it didn't work quite as well, but it did extend the life of the rubber by a season or two. Not sure how long the boots that I treated new will last as the 2019 pair hasn't worn out yet. This will be their 5th season tho.
I do use the heck out of my Grange boots wearing them for almost all my turkey and upland hunting. Usually running 2 pair and alternating them daily. Don't wear them for mountain hunting tho.
