This is a fantastic pair of boots. Patagonia did a great job with the design... very functional on the trail, and incredibly stylish. As far as I can tell, they are fully waterproof; however, most backpackers will tell you it's always a good idea to add an additional layer of waterproofing to your footwear. I love the chunky Vibram sole - it's got a heck of a lot of grip. Break-in time was only 2-days, and the boots are highly comfortable. The Polartec fleece keeps your feet warm, as advertised. My only gripe is about the lacing system. The lace holes are thin nylon loops that are sewn in to the Polartec fleece. It won't be long before the laces wear through the nylon loops, or the loops are pulled out of the fleece. My fix: when the lacing system fails I will use a small leather punch to create regular lacing holes. I have no doubt these boots will last for years!