I expect to be a lifelong Haflinger customer.

I bought my first pair of clogs in 1994 and wore them for 15 years. They were the classic boiled wool style -- very warm, comfortable, doing double-duty as slippers and casual shoes before that was trendy. My only gripe was that the soles were smooth, which almost compromised my dignity on a few occasions of wintry weather. I only got rid of them because the wool began to thin at the big toe.

Christmas 2010 I replaced my beloved wool Haflingers with the leather and shearling Snowbird because I wanted all the features of the classic boiled wool clog, but with the increased warmth of shearling. I got it. In addition, I have appreciated the subtle arch support and contoured footbed that my old clogs also had. However, I'm giving the Snowbird a four-star rating instead of a five-star rating because they are showing wear far sooner than their predecessors.

The Snowbird is warm, comfortable and stylish. You really can't go wrong with Haflinger; few footwear companies nowadays have maintained their quailty standards. From my experience though, I'd put my money toward the longer-wearing boiled wool style. The shearling-lined Snowbird CAN be worn without a sock, but it leads to foot odor, something I never experienced with the boiled wool version. So, since these will have to be replaced sooner, I think I'll go back to the wool clog, and just wear a sock for extra warmth.