Having been the footwear business for over 20 years I can tell you that the cheap boots you buy from Walmart are far inferior to Red Wing or Carolina. They might make some models in China but the components, technology and the "last" is far superior to the cheapies. A "last is what the shoe is designed around and can run in the thousands per foot, per size and width for the better fitting boots. The shoe craftsmanship from China has vastly improved in the past two decades and that is because it is where most shoes are built.
Most of the larger shoe companies also have 3 different levels of footwear, if not more. Entry level for big box stores that want the name at a cheap price. Moderate level for a decent shoe at a decent price and then the Pro level. These will have all of the bells and whistles, be the most comfortable and usually last the longest.
I would take the advice of the poster a few post's back and go to a Red wing store or a good family owned shoe store and try on many pair until you find one that meets your budget, performance and comfort level.
If you want a nice pair of steel toe's still made in the US you should also check out PW Minor, they come in widths from A to 6E and they are durable. A plus is they have been building these shoes in NY for almost 100 years. BOL