As soon as I got the boots today, I have put on a 1 1/2 hour walk with my dog in the 20-30 cm deep powder. The path was not cleared, and so the high shank was just right. I have the boots previously not impregnated, because you are so specially advertised as water-repellent. True. I'd left all the time warm, dry feet and at home I have the boots even half an hour. To see if the substance in the heat is soaked from the wet ... everything stayed dry inside! I have ordered the boots in size 39, what my actual size is ... and they fit great! Also from the hard heel I have not noticed anything ... just in case I had even blister there, but the shoes were very comfortable without pressing. For size selection, I can still say I fit in size 39 narrow feet well, I wore even "normal" socks and above slightly thicker socks in the boots. Well, a third pair would no longer fit in ... ;-) on the calves they sit quite loose with me, but I have hardly "calves" and boots schlackern as almost always with me. I guess who has rather broad feet and strong calves, and a number greater than could have ordered, but really I can not judge that. For me, the boots have certainly passed the first endurance test and the value for money is indeed truly unbeatable!