MUCK Unisex-Adult Arctic Sport Winter Boots - Waterproof, Insulated, Slip-Resistant for Men & Women - Perfect for Snow, Ice, Hiking & Outdoor Activities

I spent the winter of 2011-2012 in Glacier National Park, Montana. It started snowing in early November, and I quite literally didn't see bare ground until April 13th. The temperature averaged +5F, with a high temp all winter of +35F and a week of sub -20F weather. It was a cold and snowy winter (which actually was disappointingly tame compared to many winters here--as one who loves severe weather, I was a little disappointed!).I purchased these boots after two weeks of using tennis shoes and lightweight boots in the snow. Anything would have been an improvement but these things were amazing. Even with temperatures approaching -30F, my feet were toasty and dry. When things warmed up, they remained comfortable, never becoming too warm.They are incredibly easy to put on: no lacing, your feet just slide in. Properly sized, the boot is comfortsbly snug; I never felt as though my foot might slip out, and at no time did my foot feel cramped. Removing the boots is only slightly more difficult. I found that by stepping on the heel of one boot, I could fairly easily slip out of the other boot. I was initially concerned that I might damage the heel doing this, but after a full season of daily wear (and for several hours each day), there is no evidence of any problems. Still, this winter I intend to invest in a boot remover just to make removal slightly easier and to ensure I don't do any damage.One indispensable feature of this boot is the ability to insert custom orthotics. I have used custom orthotics for years. Even in some running shoes, orthotics don't fit well, which causes almost immediate pain in my knees and feet, making standing and walking extremely painful. Because of this, I was very concerned about how wearable these boots might be, it is a great testament that I actually regretted having to go back to my shoes in the spring. The included arch supports remove easily, and once removed, my orthotics fit perfectly. At no time did I ever experience discomfort in my feet or knees.These boots were recommended to me by several locals. Many of them use the higher knee-level boots for hunting in the winter, and they all raved about their comfort, warmth, and durability. A few times during the heavier snowfalls, snow entered the boot from the top and made the interior lining moist. However, the boots dried out within hours without need for a boot dryer.I could not have survived the winter here without these boots, but more importantly, these boots made the winter really enjoyable. Hopefully, next winter will be a bit colder and snowier; with these boots I'm well prepared to experience the truly extreme winter I crave.