Mike and Dan here are some answers to your questions. The LaCrosse boots are not what I consider light. I don't think there are any neoprene boots that would fall into the lightweight category. I know my feet sweat in them on the warmest days but using them in combination with the Smartwool socks my feet never felt wet. I dried my damp socks in the warmth of the sleeping bag during the night and then back into the boots in the morning and all felt warm and dry. They are available in black but I would have had to pay about $20 more to get them from a different vendor. Yes the Chota line of boots are overpriced IMHO but as with any boot the key is the fit. The La Crosse boots give me a perfect fit and I could hike all day with them. The foot bed and sole are fairly soft and flexible. The grip is the best I've ever had in ANY boot. When I took them out of the box I had major reservations about the traction because the soles are made from a kind of spongey rubber but they work/grip better than anything I have used so far. I've decided to wet foot on my next trip leaving this Friday and I know I will have to be a little cautious at first because my NRS Storm boots do not have very good traction by comparison.