I tried these for the first time recently, and I like these socks quite a bit for winter, especially if wearing boot cut jeans that flare a bit. Cold air runs up my legs so I hopes these socks would keep my lower legs warm, and they do. These socks are fine worn with normal shoes because they are not bulky at all, and the foot fits nicely. I got the size recommended for my shoe size (6.5) and it fits almost perfectly, slightly big on me.  These wool socks are a tiny bit itchy as expected, but hardly noticeable. Socks pill a bit where it rubs in your shoe.  The upper cuff is a little too tight, considering I do not have large calves. Still, these are ideal socks to keep your lower legs warm for casual winter wear, indoors with slippers, or outdoors inside tall boots.