Don't buy!! I have used Sorel Caribou boot in our snowmobile rental business for over 25 years and have been very impressed with the warmth and durability of the boot. I buy about 50 to 100 new pairs of boot every year. However, a few years back Columbia took ownership of sorrels. In the past 4-5 years the boots has been crap. Almost every pair of boots we have bought in the past 4-5 years the rubber has cracked (sometimes the cracks are over 2" long) on the sides of the front half of the boot causing the boot to leak; which of course makes your foot wet and cold. The first year this happened I wrote Columbia and sent 20 pair of boots back. They sent me 1 replacement boot. They have not fixed the problem because the same thing has happened with the entire boot purchases I have made from them in the past two years, Stupid me for continuing to buy them. I threw away 100 boot that were only used 3-6 months this December and daily I am throwing away more. This year I bought Cabela's similar boot, which is warmer, but until next year I won't know how well they hold up. Save yourself some time and money try a different manufacturer.
But be advised they do not have a lot of lateral stability in the sole of the boot. That is to say, the rubber bottoms tend to twist sideways making them, in my opinion, unsuitable for anything other around town use and possibly some work situations. The twisting motion makes traveling off beaten paths, especially climbing hills or side hilling, more difficult and tiring. My seven year old (Canadian made) Sorel Caribou models have somewhat thicker and probably more water resistant leather uppers, but the current (Chinese made) Sorels seem to have more advanced combination synthetic and wool felt liners and apparently much-needed additional underfoot insulation.
These boots have a cool look with the faux shearling collars but their relatively modest height means you will need to wear gaiters to keep out snow if you leave beaten paths. Felt lined pacs are typically the warmest boots for the bucks and the liners can be taken out to dry. I've washed my Sorel liners on gentle cycle using wool-friendly soap with excellent results and spraying some Armorall (used to perk up rubber and plastic in cars) on the rubber bottoms keeps them looking great as well.
Recommended to anyone who wants a warm, foolproof, traditional looking boot to wear in around-town or to cold weather outdoor events, keep in the car for emergencies and possibly wear to work or riding snow machines in really cold weather.
Sorels have a type of felt lining, they will "pack out" with time (2 weeks of every day use). If you only need them for being outside in the cold for a couple of days each month, Sorels will work just fine. Be sure to get at least one felt foot bed liner that should be readily avaible when you buy the boots.
Sorels will get "sloppy" on your feet with time. When they pack out the will not be easy to walk long distances in, meaning more than a couple of hundred yards. The felt also collects moisture from your feet sweating. If you must be outside for extended periods of time this will reduce the boots ability to keep your feet warm, use anti-perspirant on your feet! It helps.
When I last had to work ouside I was making snow for a major ski resort. I had to be able to walk all day long I did not want Sorels. I then looked for , and bought a pair of molded composite shell mountaineering boots, which are made to keep feet warm, and walk all day long. They are expensive ($200+), but worth every cent if you must be able to move and walk quickly all day long. Yes, sorels are great if you need something for a short period of time, but for day in day out work, where you want to be comfortable look for something much more molded to your feet.
George J. Dvorak II
Parkesburg, PA
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These 10" high winter boots set the standard for basic cold weather boots in snowy conditions. They're probably the boot most commonly worn by locals in snowy Western mountain towns.But be advised they do not have a lot of lateral stability in the sole of the boot. That is to say, the rubber bottoms tend to twist sideways making them, in my opinion, unsuitable for anything other around town use and possibly some work situations. The twisting motion makes traveling off beaten paths, especially climbing hills or side hilling, more difficult and tiring. My seven year old (Canadian made) Sorel Caribou models have somewhat thicker and probably more water resistant leather uppers, but the current (Chinese made) Sorels seem to have more advanced combination synthetic and wool felt liners and apparently much-needed additional underfoot insulation.
These boots have a cool look with the faux shearling collars but their relatively modest height means you will need to wear gaiters to keep out snow if you leave beaten paths. Felt lined pacs are typically the warmest boots for the bucks and the liners can be taken out to dry. I've washed my Sorel liners on gentle cycle using wool-friendly soap with excellent results and spraying some Armorall (used to perk up rubber and plastic in cars) on the rubber bottoms keeps them looking great as well.
Recommended to anyone who wants a warm, foolproof, traditional looking boot to wear in around-town or to cold weather outdoor events, keep in the car for emergencies and possibly wear to work or riding snow machines in really cold weather.
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After 1-1/2 winters, mine are falling apart. The left sole is split from the upper and each boot has numerous small cracks in the rubber where my foot flexes. Not good for a $100 boot. They ARE very warm when my feet aren't wet. UPDATE: Sorel sent me a whole new pair and I have changed my rating to 3 stars.Honest reviews on Sorel Men's Caribou II Boot
I have owned a couple of pairs of Sorels, they are good for the cold, BUT if you need to work outside, and you must be able to move quickly, look for a pair of serious, molded exterior, mountaineering boots.Sorels have a type of felt lining, they will "pack out" with time (2 weeks of every day use). If you only need them for being outside in the cold for a couple of days each month, Sorels will work just fine. Be sure to get at least one felt foot bed liner that should be readily avaible when you buy the boots.
Sorels will get "sloppy" on your feet with time. When they pack out the will not be easy to walk long distances in, meaning more than a couple of hundred yards. The felt also collects moisture from your feet sweating. If you must be outside for extended periods of time this will reduce the boots ability to keep your feet warm, use anti-perspirant on your feet! It helps.
When I last had to work ouside I was making snow for a major ski resort. I had to be able to walk all day long I did not want Sorels. I then looked for , and bought a pair of molded composite shell mountaineering boots, which are made to keep feet warm, and walk all day long. They are expensive ($200+), but worth every cent if you must be able to move and walk quickly all day long. Yes, sorels are great if you need something for a short period of time, but for day in day out work, where you want to be comfortable look for something much more molded to your feet.
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I grew up in Buffalo, NY I have been thru lots of winter boots. I have destroyed, lost and abused many winter boots. I'm 60 years old now and still live to play in the snow. I do not ski. I purchased my Sorel boots in January 2000. We went to the winter fest in Ottawa Canada. The temp was 10F most days. We walked all around Ottawa for 5 days, my feet stayed warm and dry. Last winter I went to Montreal. I got there in the middle of the worst snow storm to hit in 34 years. I walked all around "Old City Montreal" for 3 days. Again my feet stayed warm and dry, At nite the temp went down to 15F. I coat the boots twice with "Neets Foot Oil" at the start of every winter. Water has never gotten into my feet. I gave a pair of Sorel boots to 3 other people. They also love them. They are The best winter boots I have ever owned.George J. Dvorak II
Parkesburg, PA
