PAJAR Women's Waterproof Grip Leather Boots - Winter Snow Boots for Cold Weather, Hiking & Outdoor Activities

I recently moved, and my new city has extremely cold winters with very heavy snow/blizzards. Typical New England/Midwest winters. I needed a pair of boots that I could wear through freezing puddles of slush, as well as salty and icy roads and knee-high snowdrifts. I sometimes have to walk long distances outdoors for work, so I needed something that was also incredibly warm for our many days of subzero temperatures.I bought these boots after doing a bunch of research and looking at various different varieties of boots. Initially, the boots I wanted were the Sorel Joan of Arctic boots, which weren't available in my size anywhere. I also looked at the LL Bean boots, a pair from Land's End, and a few from Merrill. I eventually settled on these. If I had been able to find the black Joan of Arctic boots I prob would have bought those because I felt like the Joan boots were a bit more trendy-looking. However, I'm now really glad I got these instead. These are higher boots - on me (a shorter person) they end an inch below the knee. The other boots I mentioned are almost all much shorter, going maybe six-ten inches up the calf. That's fine if you're not dealing with freezing winds. I am really glad I ended up with these boots, because that extra height really helps keep my legs warm.I chose these boots because they were rated down to -30, and that's a pretty accurate assessment. They are incredibly warm. I have walked a mile in these, and the other day I waited 40 minutes in -10 degree weather for a bus (outside, standing on a patch of ice) and I really didn't feel the cold at all. The downside to this - and one of the downsides to this boot - is that they do get warm indoors. They don't feel tight or uncomfortable, but your feet might get a little sweaty over the course of the day. But having them has completely changed my experience of commuting outdoors. I've worn them in 1-2" deep puddles of water, and they haven't leaked at all. (I haven't tried wading through really deep water.)The one other con is that they fit a bit narrow. I am a shoe size 7.5 to 8, and I bought the boots in a size 8-8.5. With a pair of lightweight socks on, I can feel the sides of the boot. My feet are on the wider side, but my point is that you should definitely size up, especially if you plan on wearing winter socks.In terms of looks - I have the charcoal gray color. I really wanted the black, but they were out of it. That said, I have later realized that one of the benefits of gray is that it is less likely to show salt stains. This is important, since all the roads here are salted to melt the ice (I'm making it sound like I live in Siberia, but these days it really feels like Siberia would be warmer.) These boots are high, and they definitely look like winter boots. I saw more streamlined boots out there. The canvas feels a bit workman like, and the fact that they come up so high means that dresses/etc can look...well, different, to say the least. I felt like their style profile was not very high, but the other day a friend of mine told me they looked cute, so maybe I am wrong. They are a bit heavier than they look in the picture, in the sense that the material is fairly thick (they're actually really lightweight to wear)Price wise, these were in the middle of the pack for the boots I considered buying. For that price, I think they're extraordinary value. The details really suggest a company that is incredibly familiar with how to make good boots for really cold weather. They're not just high-quality, they're incredibly well-designed. The fleece on the inside (probably synthetic?) is insanely warm and cozy. It feels like your legs are getting a hug. These boots are perfect for college students in cold climates in the US (lots of walking). Pajar is a Canadian company, and this gave me confidence because I figured they would know how to make cold weather boots. Their website features several styles (including a few incredibly gorgeous ones) that are upwards of $400, so this is a good price for the company and the brand.I honestly wish I could give these boots more stars. I am rarely this happy and satisfied with a purchase. They have improved my life way beyond what I initially expected.UPDATE: I've continued to wear these through the winter, and I'm really happy with how they've held up in snow, rain and cold. They've definitely made my life in a snowy city much, much easier.