Chris, I have mixed feelings but on the whole positive and they have been a good purchase for me, considering them, obviously, as a gear-type walking boot for mixed conditions, not as a fashion statement!
The Vibram soles are advertised as the best thing since...well, cleats. I wouldn't go that far. I have, in fact, been able to slip on ice in these boots. Once by experimenting...and once just by chance, walking along in my regular way. But...I didn't slip as far, and I didn't go down. They do sort of "catch" you up as you slide.
So, on the whole, I feel confident enough to walk at my regular fast pace on mixed snow/ice/slush.
They keep my feet dry. After an hour of walking in extremely heavy slush and puddles, a tiny bit of moisture sneaked in the seam of one boot, but this only happened one time, and the conditions on that day were beyond imagining, really. (Why was I out in that weather? I go crazy if I don't get out.)
I added a heel pad thingie for my plantar fasciitis. I still find them a bit wide for my feet and particularly for the heel area. However, I did buy a 7 as I often do with boots, when my true size is 37 or 6.5. I wanted to make sure I had room for that insole.
My feet "flip" a bit. I am used to this with boots. The tie up style helps, to some degree. But because the boots are on the shorter side, on extremely slushy days (like the one noted above) I get some backsplash. Again, this is partly down to my walking style and foot anatomy. I don't think others would experience this.
They're quite lightweight, not uncomfortable to wear, and for me, extremely warm. They are easy on/ easy off. I got them at a good sale price.
