I never order shoes without trying them on first, but decided to try it this time. A friend owns a pair of these boots and loves them, and I liked the way they looked. Following previous reviews, I ordered a half size larger than my normal size, which was good advice. I love the boots. They were comfortable from day one. I wouldn't wear them in puddles, but they worked fine in rain or snow. I have had no problem with snow sneaking in the opening around the velcro. I have received many compliments on my boots, but most importantly, I practically live in them. As the weather warms up, I'm disappointed that I have to put them away for several months.