Threads like this one are very informative and even more overwhelming to those of us who are really bad at shopping. I sorta think I maybe should get some new boots, but it seems so intimidating. So i guess I'll stay content with 35 year old Limmers (for the 'tween seasons), 20 year old shin-banging koflachs (hardly ever used), and my patched up 10 year old Sorel Conquests for most winter hikes. One of these days I'll get up the courage to go into a store and look around.