I live in the frozen north in Maine - where there is an annual back yard flood, the temp drops to inhuman lows and deep snow is the norm from Oct to March (sometimes April). A person needs good quality snow boots up here....and because I get to take two pups out to potty at least 5 times a day + walk 2 blocks from parking to office 5x per week - the boots need to be easy off/easy on. My old boots' zipper ripped apart, so this year, the search was on. I'm a small woman with size 5 shoe size - it's hard to find some serious boots in my diminutive proportion. I found these. I was skeptical. I don't really like lace ups - wanted a zipper....but hey - choices were limited. I am sooooo glad I took a chance on these boots! I have waded thru ankle-deep water more than once (in my back yard) - my socks/feet DID NOT get wet! I have strolled through 5" of snow (one of my pups likes to take in the ambiance of the season before doing her business) - my feet stayed warm and dry. I have "skated" on thin ice on the sidewalk - traction was decent. And to top it all off - these boots feel like I'm wearing the MOST comfortable sneakers I own! The lacing design accommodates the thickest/warmest socks I own (living here, I have more of those than most folks) - and they are quick to pull off and put right back on (again, I do that multiple times per day). These boots just don't feel like I'm wearing clunky, stiff awkward snow boots at all! I do recommend them!!!!

BEWARE SIZING ISSUES BEFORE ORDERING

I almost took off a star because of how off the sizing is, but if I had to rate everything else about the boots except the sizing, I'd rate them a 6/5. So I kept it at five stars.

It's important to start with the sizing. I wear a 6.5 in running shoes. I have had several pairs of Columbia minx mid boots in size 7 that fit perfectly, so I initially ordered a 7 in these. Way too small. Exchanged for a 7.5 and honestly they're still kinda tight but not too tight to not be able to love them. I think an 8 would fit me better but I've already committed to this pair. I only wear thin socks with them because otherwise it's too tight. So make sure you order at least a full whole size up from your normal shoe size.

Aside from the off sizing, these boots are the boots I've been searching for for years. I am a dog walker in the Midwest. I walk miles every day in whatever weather comes at me. Previously, I always had to choose between boots that were comfortable to walk in (the Columbia minx mid) and boots that could handle the elements without my feet getting wet (Pajar grip).

No boot that I have ever tried has been both comfortable and waterproof. Many reviews boast tons of waterproof boots as "comfortable," but my standards for comfort considering my job are different. These are the only boots I've ever tried that do not leave my feet feeling weird after a long day of walking in them. The transition from warm weather (wearing running shoes every day) to cold weather (needing the warmth and/or protection of boots) is usually a difficult one for my feet and legs since most boots force me to walk slightly differently which can have effects if you walk as much as I do. These boots feel the same as my running shoes.

Before I tried these, I tried the new Merrell boots that look like high top sneakers, and even those were too clunky for me. These boots are perfectly slim to as not to affect my normal walking stride.

Enough about comfort. Let's talk about the other pros. They are warm. As I mentioned earlier, because they fit small, I've been wearing thin socks with them. Just regular non-winter socks, and my feet haven't gotten cold. The fur lining is very soft.

And most importantly, the one thing that sets them above my previous favorites, the Columbia minx mid, they are actually waterproof. I walked through a heavy wet-snowstorm today and my feet stayed dry.

I cannot recommend these boots enough. Just make sure to adjust the size you order.

I can't write a full review as it's not cold enough to wear these yet. Like most other reveiwers have pointed out, these boots run tight. I have narrow feet, but a a high instep. I started out by ordering a half size up. Even with thin socks the top of my right foot was very tight. I tried wearing them around the house with thick socks to stretch them, but it was too painful. I ended up exchanging for a full size bigger than my usual size and they fit well now. They're just a tiny bit too long, but I like the boots so much I can live with that. They seem well made. I hope they keep my feet warm and dry.

Update - These are very warm! I just walked for an hour in 18 degree weather with a windchill of -2. My toes were toasty warm with only lightweight, wool blend socks. If you can get a pair to fit you, I highly recommend these boots.

I wore these all over Iceland and my feet were never cold or wet. The only complaint is that they would not be my first pick for ice, there isn't enough traction.

I'm a dog walker in the city and walk 35-50 miles per week. I need shoes that are good on my feet, and when it's cold, I need ones that will also keep my feet warm. I bought these because of the thinner sole and how much easier it would be to walk in them than the clunkier winter boots I already had.

Winter has barely started, but they have already been thoroughly tested. I survived a snow storm in them, walking 9 hours while it was continuously snowing. After the sun set, the snow turned to rain. My feet stayed warm, which is impressive because my feet are cold at 70F. As the rain melted some of the snow and puddles of water formed, I also got to test the waterproof aspect of these boots. I stepped in several puddles that covered the tops of my feet and they stayed dry.

I just got back from a vacation in Denver where we went snowboarding, and my feet stayed warm and toasty in below freezing temps there, too.

Since purchasing them, I have walked no fewer than 50 miles in them. They are comfortable, cute, warm, and easy on my feet. I loved them so much that I bought another pair, but in the Minx style. I also highly recommend them.

I bought half a size up, an 8.5 instead of 8. I wear them with thick winter socks and they fit fine. Edit to add: I have them laced in a way where I can easily pull them on and off, so they're currently a little loose around my calves on purpose. They still keep me warm, but if I were to go sledding or playing outside in fresh snow, it would be super easy to tighten them up and wear them how they're supposed to be worn.

I didn't get them for free or at a discount for this review. This is my first review ever, actually. I just really heckin love these boots and will be buying them any time I need boots for as long as Columbia makes them.

Edit: Post winter update

I walked well over 900 miles this winter, and somewhere around 600 of them were in these boots. There are definitely signs of wear, but I will get at least one more winter, maybe two more out of them. Which doesn't seem like they last long, but I walk a lot more than the average person, 30,000 steps a day isn't unusual for me.

These, along with the other Columbia boots I purchased, kept my feet very cozy all winter, including through several winter storms where the temps dipped below 0F. I always wore mid weight socks with them, but rarely had to use my thickest warmest socks with these boots.

Regardless of how long they last, I will be purchasing more of them for as long as Columbia makes a version of them.

Edit and update for 2022: I still love these boots, though I have been buying and wearing the Minx version (it's the same boot as far as materials and tech goes, but I think they're prettier). It's exclusively what I wear, and I'm still walking dogs. At peaks, I'm trekking 50 miles in these things, and my toes stay warm. I only wish they had more colour variety, but I'm not complaining when they keep me so comfortable while I work