Would cite a DieHard as being superior to any other battery. Sears doesn't make em, they contract them out. Just like they do Kenmore appliances and I have a house full of them and 80% of them have problems within 2 years.
http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/batteries has a list of batteries known to fit.
The use pattern the original poster has described is very hard on a battery. Every load on it, cold weather, sits outside, no maintainer, relatively short runs and no long runs with few accessories on to really charge the battery. Plus we don't know how old the battery is or even if the battery fluid levels are viewable or maintained.
I do like the load test before installing a battery, you should also do a voltage test to see if the voltage regulator is allowing the alternator to try and charge the battery correctly.