Ok let me address the sizing for me... it fits as expected. I am a 12 wide and I got the 12 4ee and it is perfect for me.
Before I ordered online I went to a local store that carries NB shoes and tried out different styles of 12 4ee and they fit just fine. So that is what I ordered. In fact I ordered 3 different styles and with the same size and they all fit as expected.
To me this is more of a walking shoe than trail shoe, but it does seem rugged enough to take on trails and am looking forward to doing just that and as such it fits the bill nicely.
Comfort - very good.
Fit - very good with plenty of room in the toes.
Waterproof - that is yet to be determined but I don't expect it to be, maybe more water resistant and I did do a splash test with water but it seemed to bead and then absorb. But did not feel wet on the feet.
Traction - very good. In snowy sidewalks and asphalt streets was ok. I purposefully tried to slide on them and they did not slip on me.
Breathability - These seem to less in this department but they shine in the winter in this respect. ( I will update in the warm spring but they seem to run a tad warm when I wore them when the winter weather had warm breaks )
Overall so far very pleased with them. I tend to see these more as general purpose walking than hiking shoes.
I tend to wear and rotate different pairs of NB shoes. This way they last longer and I don't have to buy as often.
Will update if any issues.