Merrell womens Encore 4 Bluff Zip Plr Wp Snow Boot, Sable, 7.5

I love these boots. They are true to size (I wear 8.5 in nearly all shoes and the 8.5 fit perfectly). I do wear them with somewhat thick socks (i.e. darn tough or smart wool), but that's my usual winter sock. They are easy to slip on and zip up and are perfect for running errands or walking to school. I live in the UP of Michigan so they have been through some snow and ice in the month that I've had them and they look the same as the day I received them (I was worried about water spots but haven't had a problem with that). They seem to be warm, but I haven't used them below 20F yet. I will probably still use them when it gets colder because they are comfortable and not as heavy or bulky as my heavy-duty winter boots that are a pain to walk in. I

I'm in coastal California, which has recently been hit with a succession of storms, leaving us with flooding and massive damage. I work outdoors in a garden center, and have worn these since I bought them. I've walked right through puddles, runoff streams, in the rain and they haven't leaked at all. They not only kept my feet dry, but warm-