If money is no object, I would head to an army surplus store and grab anything Swiss or German if you really want quality (based on my own shopping/browsing). Mind you, I just have "cheap" Terra combat boots intended for the Canadian military, and they're very supportive, with an aftermarket gel cushion insole that makes them genuinely comfortable. I only wear them when I absolutely need excellent ankle support and a steel toe, so they look a year old despite being nearly a decade. And breaking them in requires a metric crapton of mink oil.

A zipper is just a failure point that will have you sending them to a cobbler every few years, especially if you're actually out in harsh conditions. Plus, don't step in a puddle, you will in fact get wet.