The latest pair I got seems to be on the fast road to ruin. They are the Vasque Synergist Gore-Tex Mid Hiking Boot. I got them for my Birthday the last weekend in April and the lace holder on the tongue is already ripping out. I do wear them everyday, but it's light duty. I can only imagine how they would hold up on the trail if the leather is already getting ripped out.
As a side note, I wish boot manufactures would stop with the round laces. Even double knotted they won't stay tied more than 20 minutes. Yes the flat ones aren't as strong and break more often, but they at least hold a knot...