You can get them in a steel toecap version - the steel is inside the leather. I think there is even a steel sole-plate insert version too - great for stepping on nails...
They don't have laces - suitable for Americans and Scots! and if you treat them a few times with Dubbin or similar leather dressing while still newish, are almost indestructible, and if you keep up the dubbin - are mostly waterproof - except for the elasticed sides - which sufficent dubbin regularly applied will assist too.