The main key is to wash mud off as soon as your back in home, as it dries it sucks moisture out of the leather like nobody's business, let them dry in a cool environment keep them away from radiators, etc then keep them regularly waxed.
Personally the likes of brasher, etc are fine for a summers hill walk, there destroyed in less than a year with anything above average use, I owned a couple of pair years ago, they crack like hell, and are too low on the ankle for out in the field, feet full of mud and water in no time, yes there light, best suited to girls and old men, who like slippers an