East coast here! And you're not a loony.

I can see why you'd make a connection between the corrosiveness of our salted winter streets and the alkaline of the playa. If you've got boots that can withstand our winters, chances are they'll withstand the playa. Although our winter boots are also waterproof and typically don't breathe well. Lots of our boots are 'rubberized' and fur lined with synthetics. They also tend to have serious tread. On the playa, breathability is important... it's hot during the day. If you're able to bring warm boots for night - because it's cold at night. And different boots for day that breathe, great. But if you only have luggage space for one pair of boots, it's best if they work for day and night. Which means they need to breathe. So our heavy winter boots can be too warm. Best if you can find boots that aren't too hot, and loose enough to wear thick socks at night. And a deep tread is fine, but you're going to collect playa dirt in the treads... an average tread works best

Also, we're accustomed to our boots being wet. The playa is super dry... so laces get taught and rough. Zippers get sticky and corroded. Leather gets stiff. Your fingers can become sensitive... your skin takes a beating (I'm a hand lotion whore!). So managing buckles and laces can feel like a chore after a few days. I'd prefer taking on/off wet snowy boots with cold hands to taking on/off playa crusted boots with dry cracked hands any day.

I guess my take is, good hefty winter boots that survive east coast winters will certainly survive the playa. While you wear them shoveling your driveway, think about how they'd feel dancing your ass off in them in 95 degree dry heat.

The Playa is way more corrosive than Northeast ground salt. I had boots last me years and years with regular Northeast winter use, but after 3 or 4 times on the Playa, you'll see zippers and laces start to fail, if not sooner.

Think of it this way -- we use our winter boots more like insurance. They've got waterproofing, but there aren't many of us that spend a lot of time standing/walking in winter boots through the slush and deep wet snow they're made for. Boots on the Playa, on the other hand, are subjected to the corrosive dust 24/7, and it takes a serious toll.

But like Dusty said, keeping cool and continued comfort through hours and hours of standing, walking and dancing are the 2 most important factors.

<~~~ former Bostonian :)

The salt and stuff in new england is definitely pretty corrosive... but it only gets so high up on your boots (rarely into the zippers/laces, and rarely gets on hands, skin, etc), is diluted by the slush it's melted into, and comes in small amounts in comparison.... on the playa your boots will be completely caked in dust within moments of arriving on the playa, and stay that way pretty close to forever... that being said I love wearing my winter boots on the playa and at other events... if I'm lucky they last me about 2 years before the zippers catastrophically fail :(

I also tend to cheat and wear sneakers or my sandals (with socks and lotion) under a pair of boot covers... easier to take on and off, and more washable when I get home.

Being an east coaster gives you a leg ahead on dealing with the potentially chilly nights though! (Just don't underestimate the desert, it's only hot during the day!)