Very attractive boot, not too heavy which is a pet-peeve of mine. I am a size 9 to 9.5 and ordered a 10 based on the reviews and because half-sizes are not offered. The 10 is too big (heel goes up and down). But with thick socks it does not rub in a painful way. It has not yet rained here so cant comment on effectiveness. I am 5'8 with skinny calves and the boot does come up to about lower to mid-calf on me and does rub slightly. It is a little annoying but if I werent concentrating on the boots I probably wouldnt notice it.