I started with Danner 6" studded and they served me well for years....still have 'em. They recently went back to Danner for a "fluff and buff".
Over time I decided that I didn't like studs....thrashing about in someone else's boat with them...walking on pavement....etc.
Studs, I believe are harder on your back than just felt.
My next pair (and current) were Patagonia Lights.....spendy at $130 but very, very light which is a requirement for me.
They've been re-soled 4 times and are straight felt. They are wearing out though.
I was in Sportsman's WH the other day looking for a back-up pair and spied a Columbia Sportswear Copper Creek pair.
They are built similar to the Patagonia Lights but without the hefty price tag...they were $79.95 and extremely light in weight.
They are the best $80 pair that I had seen so I grabbed 'em. The only problem I have with them is that the designer bungled the lacing system, IMO.
He used speed lacing where he should have used hooks.....I plan on taking them in to the cobbler and have a couple of lace hooks put on.
Here's a couple of things that I do that have proven useful over the years:
1. If you ever had genuine leather Danner's, you know this one:
Get your wading boots wet before putting them on....I'll even carry an old milk jug full of water just for that if river water is not close at hand.
If you put 'em on dry you might want to re-tighten your laces after a bit.
2. Once my waders are on I put on a super thin pair of hiker's wick-dri socks over my neoprene booties, then I put my wading boots on.
This reduces wear on the neoprene booties and makes getting on the wading boots easier yet. The ones I like are from REI, about $3-$4 and are navy blue in color. They last forever.
One last thought on felt....
There is a movement now to try to eliminate felt. Apparently felt can harbor parasites that kill fish and thus can be spread from one system to another.
Non-felt alternatives are (and have been) being developed by the major wading boot mfr's.