Reddit mentions of SOREL - Men's Caribou Waterproof Boot for Winter, Bruno, 11 M US

That photo is from 2015 I believe, when Boston had record snow accumulation.

They couldn't truck it away fast enough, so they started piling it up in open spaces, so there is apparently a small clearing just outside MIT's Simmons Hall dorm, so they made a small mountain.

It feels likely that there is probably a good sized pile of snow in that spot every winter, but that was a record-setting event.

I have no idea if that is a good parka or not. I skimmed past the North Faces and Columbias until I found something that illustrated all the features I think are important.

The right coat really depends on you and your activities. One of those puffy down coats can be certainly warm enough for casual activities outside for an hour or two. But anything longer than that, and the benefits of a heavier parka start to shine though.

budget, style, and activities will help you make the right selection for YOU.

In my opinion, I'd spend more money on the fleece and the boots than the parka, from a fashion / brand perspective.
You tend to wear a good fleece more days than the parka. And when it's so cold out that you're reaching for the parka NOBODY cares about fashion anymore. Warm? Dry? Functional? good-to-go.

Water proof boots. Uninsulated can work, if you combine them with good, thick socks.
But for Boston, some light insulation might be wise.

This is the original, standard, when you don't know what else to buy boot:

LLBean Boots

That's a little expensive, but built to last an entire lifetime.
There is an insulated version for just $20 more money.
Personally, while I respect the brand and the build of those boots, I find them ugly, and I don't care for an all rubber boot lower.


Something like this will work fine as well. A little insulation. Cover your ankle. Good traction. Waterproof.

LLBean Snow Sneaker

They don't have to be expensive, here is a similar product @ Walmart for $30 that doesn't look terrible

Walmart Boot

But you do not need something like this:

Sorel Boots

Those would be so warm you'd want to take them off in class.

It is not freezing cold every day during winter. But there tends to be snow on the ground for weeks at a time, and plenty of slushy, wet conditions for weeks after the snow clears. Footwear that keeps you dry, and provides more traction than you are accustomed to in Cali should be something of a priority. You will wear them enough to make spending some money on them a justifiable expense.

You can survive in sneakers & double-socks if money is super-tight. But I'd bet you can find something at Goodwill for $5-20 that would be an improvement over sneakers. Just trying to be sensitive to your budget...

No coupon - the price is just adjusted when you check out.

Sorels are like a hardcore winter version of LL Bean boots - not conventionally attractive, just totally functional. The classics are 1964s in leather, 1964 PACs (with d-ring lacing), and Caribou (slightly shorter, with shearling lining and d-ring lacing).