If you're looking for a walking boot specifically for winter conditions then the Polar Durand from American shoe manufacturer Keen should be on your list.
They are designed for snow and so if you're heading out for a winter sports holiday, or plan to spend a season in a ski resort, then these would be an ideal choice.
They are versatile - not only are they extremely tough, with a durable feel, they are also smart looking and have a design that's subtle enough to blend in well with casual clothing if you're heading out the bar or even a restaurant where you need to head out into the snow to get there.
My first impression was of a comfortable boot that had serious intentions of keeping me warm and dry out in the cold and snowy conditions (it was minus 15 degrees centigrade with 20 centimetres of fresh snow when I first used them). Not only did they keep me warm and dry but also felt very supportive when walking up a steep slope on both a rocky pathway and compacted snow. Back indoors again, they looked like any other walking shoe and although they feel a little warm when worn indoors, they aren't at the level of some winter boots which simply make your feet sweat as soon as the temperature goes over zero degrees.
Maybe because of this, they might not be warm enough for really extreme conditions and if you're standing around all day not doing too much - for example, a ski lift attendant in very cold conditions. But these boots are made for walking - that is what they do, and the sole felt stiff enough to provide decent support, even if travelling for several hours.
The 'Keen.Dry' waterproof and breathable membrane works really well and the insulation is 400 grams of what they call Keen.Warm.
Conclusion - a good, solid walking boot suitable for winter conditions and ski resorts that will double up as an après ski shoe.
