I wear a pair of merrills that I got about 8 years ago. They are Gortex lined and nylon outer with some leather on stress points. 3/4 steel shank waffle tread with a low heel. I haven't done much extreme cold with them but with smart wool they have been fine to 0 degrees F. The Goretex has maintained waterproofness through all I have subjected them to. The upper is showing some seperation from the sole at this point but that should be remedied with some shoe-gue.<br><br>Perhaps it is because you wear cotton socks that you feel it necessary to change your socks several times a day. I find a thin wool sock or wool/nylon sock for summer travel very comfortable in the appalachian White Mountains durring summer. I actually wear knee-high wool/nylon dress socks in summer. I like the Smart Wool for winter. I don't find it necessary to carry more than two pair of socks so that I can alternate on alternate days. <br><br>Of course I do carry three or four pairs and usually only use two. The extra are for redundancy. Socks wear out and waterproof boots are only waterproof in water shallower than the boot is tall.