Like warring factions whose relations are destined to be less than chummy, historically cold weather boots (at least the ones that I've been attracted to) have fallen into two distinct categories...a) the rain boot that keeps your foot dry as a bone yet requires two pairs of socks to avoid hypothermia...or...b) the boots that are blissfully warm but spring a leak when they come into even the briefest contact with rain, snow, or (heaven forbid) the couple of inches of slush that seem to cover the ground for a minimum of two months each winter. With the buffalo plaid version of Sperry's shearwater boot though I think all my bases may finally be covered...thanks to the combination of rubber soles and shearling lining...of course, the cute black and red check doesn't hurt anything either.