I am a dog trainer by profession. It is important for me to have good non-slippery footing and dry feet. I am in awe with these boots! Let me tell you why. Because the upper material is based on natural rubber, these boots are extremely flexible. I actually forgot I was wearing rain boots. Usually most of them are bulky and clunky. The sole is also flexible, has big ridges and really good grip. Even the heel has some shock absorbency. Another benefit of a flexible material is that it accommodates wide feet and socks. I have wide calves and had no problem whatsoever. The lacing allows the shaft to expand a little. It is all one piece so there is a limit to how much it can expand. There are only a couple of things I would love differently. I would prefer the boots to be a little more matte. They are not truly glossy but it makes them look somewhat cheaper, at least in my opinion. I wish there were more colors. I bought blue because black looked even more glossy. Lastly, there are no half sizes. I am a true 6.5 wide. I usually order 7 to 7.5 in standard width. In these boots I am a very comfortable 6. This is the first time ever I ordered anything down. They run very big. As far as durability - I cannot speak for it yet. It has not been long enough but I will try to remember to keep you posted.