I am so tired of Uggs and did not want to be one of the hundreds of thousands wearing them (when Costco makes it own version you know the fashion cycle has peaked). I saw these boots and thought they may be a different alternative to a warm, winter boot that is relatively water proof/resistant. Having traveled to Mongolia, I saw that all the nomads wear felt wool boots in the dead of winter where they get several feet of snow and the temperatures are well below freezing starting in Sept through May. So I thought if it works for them then it should work for me. While I was hoping to get this in a darker color, which was not available, I figured the lighter color would be better living in New England to avoid having the salt stains that have ruined countless boots I have had over the years. Very different, unique, comfortable, stylish. Tanja Boorman