In previous Winters I'd buy the cheap Wal-Mart knockoffs and wear them throughout (the Canadian) winter. Total crap. Not that I expected anything other then crap quality. One year I did buy a legit pair of EMU boots (thinking hey, they cost more, so they must hold up better) and I didn't find that they held up any better to Canadian snow (even when sprayed).

This Winter I'm investing in some good Sorel boots.