The last two winters I've just been miserable. The rugged boots I've worn have just been a huge disappointment. By the end of the day I was coming in with cold, wet feet, jerking off boots that felt like lead weights. I needed something that was going to be a stylish cross of functionally rugged yet fashionable; slight heel, suede collaring, inner wool collar, rounded toe. I think I've found a pair that is going to satisfy that need. These are my first pair of Sebago shoes. They seem to be made of an excellent grade of leather & other materials. They are true to size - not too big or too small. I'll need to invest in a few pairs of knee high wool socks as they hit a few inches below the knee. Even with thicker socks they fit. The wrapped heel is something that'll have to be broken in a bit, otherwise I'm fairly happy with the quality. The medium brown color as well as the black are nice and rich; appropriate for a rainy fall and wintry wardrobe. My only complaint is they are fairly expensive and I had to shop around to narrow a place that had them priced within my budget. A broad range of pricing. Found them cheap enough that I was able to buy two pairs (black & brown) for the price of one retail. I would also recommend a good leather conditioner. I can see where the wear and tear of the watery winter weather i.e. salt, may distress the leather - caring for it will prolong the life & keep them from drying out or cracking. Based on the quality of these boots, I doubt I'll require new winter boots for a few years. However, if Sebago's other boots are as nice as these I may eventually have to cave and try one of their other styles :).

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Update

I've since had a few days of wear to truly break them in & get a real feel for how they'll wear. I love the black ones. They are comfortable & functional & go with just about anything. Unfortunately, the brown ones are a nightmare on the interior protrusion of my navicular bone or medial malleolus - whichever. When I walk the fold of the leather and zipper GRINDS across it, REGARDLESS of the fact that it is the same, brand, make, style, and size as the black ones. They are miserable to wear. They fit perfectly otherwise - and I have no way of remedying that painful flaw. Which is such a pity because they are beautiful boots. But for that kind of pain, I should be suffering in 5 inch stilettos, or wrapping leather bound barbs to my ankles and knocking them together with each stride :(.