If you are planning on a hiking holiday, I would get the new boots well in advance and break them in gradually, to avoid discomfort and blisters, which could happen if you wear them for the first time on you're walk.
I think boots that breath are a God-send, so I would go for a 'Gortex' material, which is waterproof and breatherble, half the time its bound to be wet!
If the terrain is rough, good ankle support is another good feature to consider.