Do the douglas wheels have the inner reinforcing ring for strength.
Not straight from Douglas, but OMF can add them. If you are looking at buying just front rims, look at the Douglas ultimates, or yellow labels. They are tough rolled lip wheel. I have been running them in the desert for the last couple of years and have yet to bend one. Before those, I ran ITP baja's, used to bend those all the time.
No experience with Hipers, just things I have heard from people I know that run them. I know a few people that run them in the desert and have never had a problem, then I know others that have destroyed them. What would worry me is they don't bend, thet break. Hit something hard enough with a aluminum wheel and yes it will bend, but pretty good chance you can continue to ride on it. Hit something hard enough with a Hiper, it will break, probably not going to make it much further after that. I have also been told they are pretty much the same weight as a standard aluminum beadlock wheel.
Again, this is just what I have heard, no experience with them myself.
Doug