Go taller! Youll never regret it once youve used taller ones. I own whites and have the tall uppers. Second pair in 15 years. Just keep gettin them rebuilt as needed untill theyre shot. Schnees or Whites with tall uppers is the only way to go. You dont even need gators most of the time.
Get some Obenaufs and use the snot out of it and youll be a happy, dry, camper with long lasting snow boots.