A long review, but a very thorough one! I bought these boots a few months ago, but decided I needed to wait until I REALLY needed them to review them- and since my region just got pounded with a nasty snow storm for the last few days, I've been able to break them in a bit and give a review. Style: I bought these boots because they were practical, but stylish looking. I've fallen under the spell of Uggs and other suede boots for the past few years, but I haven't been able to keep a pair through to the next season- when you wear boots like those consistently through a hard winter, the moisture and demand on the boots is too much. So I decided to purchase Sorel's because the last few generations of my family trust them to no end. They've definitely lived up to the Style standards. They're practical and cute. Ice: The first day of our storm was sleet, that then froze over-night and carried into the next day. I had to walk to a class before 8am, and none of the sidewalks had been salted. I stayed upright the entire time (even though I walked pretty fast, I was running late!) though the majority of the people walking around me were skidding a lot. Every time I skidded, the boots ended up gripping before any tragedy could occur. Snow: The town won't plow the sidewalks until the snow is done- so that means snow piled up on the sidewalks, and what wasn't packed down was just above my ankles- or where the rubber ends on these boots. I was very pleased- no moisture got into my boot, they were very effective in keeping out drifts of snow, even when plodding through. Part of that is due to the felt liner- they've added in a stretchable inset that stretches to fit your leg, instead of the old felt Sorel liners I remember that just had a slit through the middle. A much better design. --Also, Felt liners mean that the liners are replaceable, and if you feel your boots are getting colder again, you can purchase replacement liners instead of replacement boots.-- Warmth: My toes stayed toasty, with and without thick wool socks, and as someone who has suffered frostbite on my feet previously, that's a tough criteria to live up to. Size: I took the advice of other reviewers, and purchased down a size. I purchased a 7 1/2, while I would normally wear a 7 1/2 or an 8, and they're roomy for a 7 1/2, allowing me to wear thick wool socks. I'm not sure that they're really a 1/2 size large, because wearing thick socks is pretty darn tight. Comfort: The boot itself is comfortable, but if you let the felt liner touch your skin, it will rub and be very uncomfortable. I suggest always wearing long socks and perhaps even tucking your
pants into your socks. I have some pretty nasty rug-burn like stuff near my ankles now. Over all a great boot for the first storm- I'm guessing they'll be great for many to come!
