Partly following Master Kochanski's recommendations I'm planning a footwear system that would hopefully cover both dry-cold and wet-cold conditions and even summer in the bush:

Get second-hand but grade 1 Canadian army combat boots (the manufacturer is Greb Kodiak, I tried on work boots by Terra - which belongs to the Kodiak group now and the fit was perfect, though I didn't put on heavy wool socks), I'll make sure the sole threads are not worn out and buy 2 pairs. I'll make sure I can fit 3 pairs of CustomWoollenMills 30% mohair 70% wool socks and the cheap plastic mesh insoles made by World Famous (based on the mesh insoles for jungle boots)

http://www.angiesoutdoor.ca/military_surplus/canadian/combatboots.html

http://www.customwoolenmills.com/shoppe/work_socks.asp

http://www.worldfms.com/7030_footwear.htm

and maybe put on thin liner socks next to the skin like the Wigwam Gobi polypro. socks to prevent blisters:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302734307&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441772979&bmUID=1204220136262

Get Acton's pure rubber overboots for wet-cold conditions. I will put plastic bags between the rubber overboots and the leather combat boots to slow wear and tear:

http://www.actoncanada.ca/products/index.php?/eng/completedata/51/

What do you think of this system?

Thanks
Frankie

Correct me if I'm not reading this right...

Army boots, 4 pairs of socks, a plastic liner, mesh insoles AND overboots? That seems like a LOT of stuff to have on your feet. Of course you never know until it's all on your feet.

I'd love to have one boot for year round. I generally get by with waterproof hiking boots and one pair of good breathable hiking shoes for 3 1/2 season wear and heavy Baffin boots for the extreme cold. I suppliment with Integral Designs vapor barrier booties (a must have I just discovered this winter), Yaktrax traction slip ons, and a good stock of socks in varying weights and fabrics.

The below shoes and boots are VERY similar to what I'm currently using but not identical unfortunately because they're all a few years old now. Baffin and Timberland have changed their designs a little but not much.
http://www.baffin.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=93
http://www.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2343392&cp=1779791.1761081.1761136&view=all&pageDisplay=superfamily%2Cfilter&pageType=family&int_nextBucket=0&totalProductsCount=28&pageCount=2&pageBucket=0&pageNum=1&int_prevBucket=-1&page_bucket=0&page=2&showSizeSearch=true&hasPagination=false&parentPage=family
http://www.timberland.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2561589&cp=1779791.1761081.2150754&view=all&pageDisplay=superfamily%2Cfilter&pageType=family&int_nextBucket=0&totalProductsCount=22&pageCount=2&pageBucket=0&pageNum=1&int_prevBucket=-1&page_bucket=0&page=2&showSizeSearch=true&hasPagination=false&parentPage=family
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442586369&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302734333&bmUID=1204222742571
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442541441&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302733919&bmUID=1204222969797

The system you suggest Frankie is definately more vertatile and far less expensive. If you put it together, I'll be very curious to know how well it works.

It's been my experience lately that when I try to find a one size fits all tool, gadget, piece of clothing, lately I'm dissapointed. I have much better luck with having some options, and leaving the house with the best option at the time.