Winter Footwear

Hey Kevin,
I am in the Northeast as well, and I tend to stay away from boots all year round. Through the winter I layer a VBL sock with a wool exp weight Smartwool sock under my Montrail Hurricane Ridge GTX shoe's. For gaiters I either use a short EMS Scree gaiter or OR Verglas gaiters in deep snow situations. This winter I was able to test out some overboots but I found their durability to be less than I had hoped. Once mud season comes around I switch to a breathable Montrail Continental Divide trail runner with Smartwool Adrenaline Ultra socks and depending on how cold it is, a pair of Rocky GTX socks. I use the same gaiters depending on conditions. In the past I did use boots, but with the rivers being so high and getting water in them is just a matter of time, I figure a fast drying shoe is the best way to go.