What kind of boot is good for climbing Rainier?

This summer I'll be climbing Shasta, Hood, and Rainier, but I'll also be backpacking for a good amount. I'm HOPING to not have to get two different pairs of boots. I saw in an outside magazine gear guide that the Salomon Proton Mid GTX was a good "Peak bagging" boot (crampon compatible), but every other sort of guide of seen seems to claim that Rainier needs a more serious boot. I'll be on the mountain in July and can afford to wait for optimal weather conditions. Can I get away with a boot like the Proton? Do I need to go plastic? Any advice at all will help...What kind of boot is good for climbing Rainier?
This is from a recommended gear list for a guided summit of Mt. Rainer:



"FEET



[ ] MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: Insulated plastic boots are the preferred choice for ascents on Mt. Rainier. They provide the best insulation as well as a more rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Some leather boots that have Vibram soles and full shanks are also adequate, but they will need to be a stiffer design and might still result in cold feet on summit day.

Guides' Pick: Plastic Boots: Scarpa Inverno

Guides鈥?Pick: Leather Boots: La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX "



http://www.rmiguides.com/rainier/lib-rid鈥?/a>What kind of boot is good for climbing Rainier?
You will need a plastic mountaineering boot, not just for Rainier, but all of these mountains. For the most part, you can wear these on your approach hike, especially for Shasta, Hood, and Rainier. You start at or pretty close to snow line (depending on when you start). I've worn them on the trail for Shasta and Mt. Adams until we hit snow. I don't they are that bad. But I also bring a pair of tennis shoes for camp (if there is bare rock).



Plastic boots are rigid so they work with crampons VERY well, and they are insulated to keep your feet warm. The la Spotiva leather mountaineering boots are also pretty nice.



If you are doing something like Mt. Olympus, I would NOT recommend wearing your plastic boots on the 17 mile approach hike. This would be a case where you would considering wearing a lightweight boot or hiking shoe on the approach and then switching to mountaineering boots on the glacier. Believe me...I trashed my feet so much on the approach I couldn't do the climb. Sometimes taking a little extra weight in the form of more boots is worth the effort.