Gore-Tex membrane boots and cloth (coated ripstop) or lighthneoprene VBLs ia the best way to go (other than Mickey Mouse military arctic or black winter boots).

I've done it for years when hunting or overnight winter traveling.

I see that neoprene vbls have been mentioned but how about perforated neoprene socks?
These are what I take along if I anticipate cold weather or snow.



Here's a close up to show the thousands of small holes that let water out.



I bought them at Campmor years ago. Can't find them on their website now. A pair weighs 4 ounces. I've used them with running shoes in deep snow. They are warm when wet and real easy to put on when cold because they stay flexible. They can also be used as camp shoes.

I have used the socks that Daryl mentions.
Because they are perforated, they dry much faster than non-breathable neo socks. They also feel pretty warm even fully saturated because the neoprene still insulates, even with the perforations.

I have recently became a fan of fin socks as camp shoes. They replace my wet socks when needed on wet/cold hikes, but I mostly wear them as camp shoes so that my socks and shoes can dry.

Be warned that because fin socks are solid neoprene, they can get quite smelly because of the fact that they do not breath at all. So I only wear them when needed while hiking, crossing creeks or around camp and I scrub them regularly.

I need solid neoprene for a VBL

Re: "I need solid neoprene for a VBL".

That would be great, if neoprene wasn't so heavy:-)

I do know of a certain Scandinavian hiker that wears a full wetsuit when he hikes and while sleeping.
Warm and very VBL.

But the weight!