Regarding Korkers...

I bought the first pair of 'guide boots' that had their first BOA lacing system and interchangeable soles.
I did have a pair of studded rubber soles come apart after some years of use. I had sand get in a BOA gear once.
I poured some water over the knob and it came free.

A while back, I went onto the Korkers website and filled out a form. They sent me a free pair of laces and pair of BOA replacement mechanisms.

Last year, those old guide boots died. The front toe caps started coming apart. I'll fix them sometime with some barge cement.
I just have to figure out how to get some good clamping pressure on them.

I have replaced those old guide boots with some new Korkers. The BOA lacing system has been redesigned. Now you can really crank down on them to get a really tight fit.
The first time I wore them, I had to loosen them up after walking in them a bit.
The changeable soles are now different than my old ones. The sole covers the entire width of the boot, rather than just inserting into the sole of the boot.
Time will tell how long these last. I'll be really happy if they last as long as my old guide boots did.