I had been eyeing these boots since last winter and now that we've had over 12" of snow already this winter and 40 degrees feels warm, I made sure these boots made it on my Christmas list. I am so happy! I chose the oyster color and it is a nice, stylish neutral (a soft grey with sort of an ice blue undertone to it).
Size-wise, I typically wear a size 8. However, after looking at their sizing chart (a must-do!) and also knowing I typically wear thicker socks in the winter that are difficult to squeeze into my size 8 shoes, I had my husband order me a size 9. I have worn them several times now with regular, non-bulky socks, and I feel like I do have some extra room for bulkier socks, but the extra room I gave myself doesn't feel like I'm swimming in the boots. I'm pretty confident that I ordered just the right size. I might have been able to go with a size 8.5, but I might not get my thicker socks in there as comfortably.
Additionally, these boots are very well constructed, feel light on my feet despite being a winter boot, and most important of all they keep my feet warm! Hallelujah! Seriously, my feet feel like frozen blocks of ice in the winter. Once I go outside my feet get cold and they stay cold for hours it seems. Not with these boots. My feet stay warm!
With regard to price, I've never paid more than $40 for a pair of winter boots (and all they ended up being were bulky weights that never kept my feet warm), but I've also never lived in this much snow, so I saw this as the time to make the investment. I have no doubts I'm going to get a ton of use out of these boots and be warm every single time!
The -only- adjustment I'm still getting used to with regard to these boots is driving with them. I don't typically wear boots at all, so I'm not used to any limited flexibility in my ankle. I do not feel that it's a hazard to drive with them - they're not bulky nor heavy - I just have to either loosen the laces or put a little more pressure to press down on the gas pedal. No issue pressing the brake pedal -- just flexing the ankle to press the gas pedal. Perhaps this will work itself out as I continue to break them in.
Also, all my prior winter boots were zip-up, but these lace up boots take no time at all. I slide my foot in, tuck my pant leg in (they're a great height), and pull the laces tight (they tighten up very smoothly with ease), and then tie 'em up. No fuss. It's also really nice that the tongue of the boot is constructed to keep snow out. That's a huge plus.
So, final conclusion, these are fabulous winter boots!
