Huh...my Russell were also worn 10 years ago in Zimbabwe on some long hikes through the rocks. I ordered them for that and I'm still using them. I got the PH model and I've beat the crap out of them but they still fit great and the soles I selected have been great. You can get those double capped toes (or whatever they are called). Sounds like you are hard on that area of the boot? Full waxed leather should be water resistant. If nothing else, they have silicone tanned leather, which is waterproof. On the support issue, I had an option for better support put in...can't remember what that is called.
