I usually wear rubber boots, but a friend of mine is all about them, he had the same problem with rips or tears in toe area of the boot. It just seems like some pairs last longer than others for whatever reason. He had a pair that went close to two years doing everything from fishing-to hunting in those things with no problems other than wearing out the heel on the inside, and his newest pair had a hole int he neoprene and in the toe after a couple months. He just patched it with some silicone, but where they are new boots I'm sure they will work with you.