Totally agree, I am sold on Korkers. Spikes with rubber for the winter (no platform snow shoes), felt, felt with spikes, tread for alpine lake walks. I will be getting the Vibram inserst shortly as my felt is on the way out.
I have however blown out a pair of laces too, but no big deal for how often I hit the water. You can go up one more model to the wire laces if you like.
as for models I destroyed my cross current korkers in one season (lowest end), again though heavy use. Moved up to the streamborn boots 1yr not lick of wear besides the laces.
great part about the whole thing is as I wear the boot out through use, the different inserts felt/spikes etc can be used on your new pair.