I needed a warm boot that would keep my feet warm for 12 hours in below zero weather. BAM! This boot delivered. My first intention was to use it ice fishing up along the Canadian/US border. We spend all day out on the ice, so there is no heading back to any cabin to warm up. These boots delivered and kept me warm from sun-up to sundown, and on the snowmobile ride in and out from our ice fishing spot.

What was also important to me was that these are waterproof. When you are on the ice, you want something that can get wet but keep your feet dry (the last thing you want is wet feet when it is freezing out). I don't know why all winter boots aren't waterproof, honestly. Plus, if you are in snow all day, some of it melts and you don't want that slowly leaking in. With these boots, I didn't have to worry.

Having the gaitor as part of the boot is a bonus in keeping a tight seal along your leg to keep snow out.

Sorel makes great quality boots that can handle the elements and these boots live up to what they say they do. I know there is a model just a step down from these, but if you are getting this big of a boot for extreme conditions, you might as well get these since you get a boot that is waterproof and candle handle the worst case scenario.

Whereas most winter boots aren't too bulky, though bigger than shoes, these are going to be bigger than regular winter boots. Remember though, most winter boots handle 0 degrees, not below zero conditions or staying at zero degrees for more than a few hours. Therefore, these boots are bigger to provide you the all-day warmth in cold and extreme cold conditions. They aren't necessarily bigger width-wise, but under the sole. All boots that give you this protection are similar though.

All in all, awesome boots for long days in the cold, days in the extreme cold or in wet conditions.