The fit of the boot is extremely important, so if you can, go to a proper bootfitter at a reputable shoe store instead of buying x-brand in x-size online (if you do online shopping), otherwise you can end up with a cool looking boot that isn't a good fit for your shape and size foot, and then you've got sores and bunions. What's good for one person may not be good for you.
I have a pair of mostly synthetic Vasque Ion hiking boots that are durable, lightweight, breathable, and the Gore-Tex makes them waterproof. I got them at the REI store here in Nashville (it's the only one in the state, IIRC). I use those for hiking and general outdoor use; they kick my Altama combat boots all over the place. They didn't cost an arm and a leg, either, and I can wear them on any casual day without looking like über ninja.
There were solid leather hikers there also, but I only intended to do light/medium hiking and chose a lightweight boot.
The bootfitter there gave me some good guidelines on choosing a proper boot. Most people automatically go for a very snug fit, and that's a mistake; your foot swells when it's really active. I put on a pair of boots, and she had me step up on an incline and with the feet one on front of the other like I'm walking downhill, she had me force a downward motion to test if my toes were squishing into the front of the boot. If they did, the boot was too small/big. I turned around and did the same thing, to test if my foot was shuffling to the back when going uphill.
Here is a guide and boot review section that may be of some further help.
