Rare boots are never trophy in diablo2.
Theyre usage is in 99% useless in comparisson with Unique, Set and Crafted boots.
Because Rares got nice looking stats but are just Lower numbers combination of stats that you can see in Unique, Set boots that are used for maximum of such stats even are 2 from 4 but Higher Numbers.
If this wasnt Truth,
than you would see Rare boots in every characters that exist in diablo2 in every strategy and build guide but you Dont see this....
Uniques and Set boots got often better 2 Mods,
usually Maxed rolls so you are using them exactly becauE of this best 2 mods wich are best to use.
Crafted boots got some crazy mods that arent in Unique and Set boots, things like % maximum mana, mana, resists combination for Mage players, or Repl life, Life, Stats for other players.
If you look on the stats of most used boots like Gorerider, Waterwalk, Aldurs Set Boots.. you will see that Stat why are used.