Growing up in a cold and dirty place (outside, not inside!) NO ONE wears their shoes inside someones house. It just tracks in too much mud/snow/sand/dirt/nastiness.

Just put them in a glass of water — if they float, then they are bad, and if they sink they are perfectly fine. If they stand up on one end, use them fast!

"Photography is not reality, never has been reality, and never will be reality."

SUPER WARM. I mean, I'm kinda a walking furnace, but I'll easily wear these to -20 to -30 (F).

Agreed! I have one in purple and LOVE IT. And it stays pretty warm too!

What if your employer is Jehovah's Witness and doesn't want to cover your blood transfusion? "I'm sorry, but despite the fact that you were going to bleed to death otherwise, we can't cover the cost of your blood transfusion". It's just....grrrrr.

Eh...Maybe a combo of both? :)

Okay, bear with me, because I am just a tad slow today... by my contribution do you mean my reference to layering?

Lots and lots of layers. I mean you don't NEED an expensive coat by any means. I just wanted to explain *why* an investment might not be entirely frivolous.

The kind of person who lives in a place where it is expected to get to -40 every single winter.

This, dear sir or madam, is BRILLIANT!

Me three!