  Wide binaries, particularly in large numbers and as free from selection
biases as possible, constitute a largely overlooked tool for studying the
Galaxy. The goal of this review is to highlight the potential inherent to large
samples of field wide binaries for research on problems as varied as star
formation in the early Galaxy, the nature of halo dark matter, the evolution of
the stellar halo, new geometric distances, metallicities, masses, and ages of
field stars and white dwarfs, and much more. Using the Revised NLTT as an
illustrative example, I review the main steps in the assembly of a large
catalog of wide binaries useful for multiple applications. The capability of
cleanly separating between the Galactic disk and halo populations using good
colors and proper motions is emphasized. The critical role of large surveys for
research on wide binaries as well as for the better understanding of the Galaxy
in general is stressed throughout. Finally, I point out the potential for
assembling new samples of wide binaries from available proper-motion surveys,
and report on current efforts of using the SDSS towards this goal.
