I always wear high top hikers when I head underground. I'm currently wearing a pair of Columbia boots for mine exploring and motorcycle instructing. I'm about to retire them from mine exploring since I've worn the tread off them so I'll be looking for a new pair in the near future.
Mine exploring is really hard on boots since we are hiking on rocks the whole time. We explore hard-rock mines which are always blasted out of the rock leaving very sharp rocks behind. Even the tailings piles are just big heaps of sharp rocks. A slip and fall always results in blood. Ask me know I know...
Ironically mine exploring is really tough on tires as well. Every time I head down to the tire shop at least one of the guys will comment on the condition of the tires on my truck. I guess they are surprised that I actually do some serious off road driving. Not being the smartest of people, I do take it places that it has no business going. I'm not called Abby Normal for nothing...
Abby