I have bought and returned several pairs of boots over the past ten years and have never found any that I liked. I have size 10.5 feet and have trouble finding the right boots that fit and are lightweight and warm. These are exactly what I needed. They work for long walks with the dog and playing in the snow with the kids. I haven't encountered any slushy-type puddles/snow (we just don't get it in Colorado like you do in say, Chicago, where I grew up), so I can't speak for their performance in those conditions. I can however, speak for how soft they are in the inside and how nicely they go on and off. They are lightweight and have good grip. I do wish they looked hipper, as I am only 30 and these are a bit 'mumsy', but that doesn't matter when you have been looking for as long as I have for the perfect boot.