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Sorel Caribou Review

A classic snow boot that is good for errand running and snow shoveling, but not well suited to long walks
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sorel caribou winter boots review
The Sorel Caribou is a classic winter boot that keeps users warm and dry, but there are more comfortable and grippy options out there.
Credit: Sam Willits
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   Sorel
By Jeff Dobronyi and Andy Wellman  ⋅  Feb 23, 2022
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Warmth - 25% 9.0
  • Weather Protection - 25% 8.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 6.0
  • Traction - 15% 6.0
  • Durability - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Sorel Caribou first came out in 1962, and it has been an often-imitated top-ranked winter boot ever since. As a typical Pac boot, this model features an inner liner that sits inside a waterproof outer shell. However, like other Pac boots, this system creates a bulky boot that is difficult to lace tightly enough to achieve a snug fit. Traction and durability are average, making these boots great for outdoor chores and tasks where foot precision isn't important. They are also heavy, so they're not great footwear for walking long distances. And yet, they have a devout following, and their look is iconic.
REASONS TO BUY
Waterproof
Warm
Cozy
REASONS TO AVOID
Very heavy
Sloppy fit
Potential durability issues
Editor's Note: This winter boot review has new sections about choosing the best boot for your needs. This update was done on February 23, 2022.

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sorel caribou winter boots review
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Sorel Caribou
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award 
Price $99.98 at Backcountry
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$159 List
$78.83 at REI
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Bottom Line This warm and cozy boot is a perennial favorite, but there are better boots on the marketThese boots perform great across the board, earning top accolades for being so well-roundedProtective and durable slip-on boots for outdoor chores and quick trips into the snowWith good performance across the board, these low-priced boots deliver great valueThis boot makes winter walks comfortable and secure, but it isn't a great option for deep snow
Rating Categories Sorel Caribou The North Face Chil... Muck Boot Arctic Sp... Columbia Bugaboot III Merrell Thermo Chil...
Warmth (25%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Weather Protection (25%)
8.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
6.0
Comfort and Fit (20%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
Traction (15%)
6.0
9.0
5.0
7.0
10.0
Durability (15%)
6.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Sorel Caribou The North Face Chil... Muck Boot Arctic Sp... Columbia Bugaboot III Merrell Thermo Chil...
Maximum Puddle Depth Before Major Leaking 10.5" 8.5" 13" 8" 6.5"
Measured Shaft Height (from bottom of sole to top of shaft) 11" 11" 13" 10.5" 7.5"
Measured Weight (per pair, size 13) 5.26 lbs 3.86 lbs 5.09 lbs 3.69 lbs 2.74 lbs
Appropriate Activity Town, errands Town, errands Chores Hiking, town, chores, errands Hiking, town
Fit Details Roomy True to size Roomy True to size True to size
Lining/Insulation Removable/washable 9mm recycled felt inner boot with Sherpa Pile snow cuff 400g Heatseeker Eco Fleece, 5mm CR Flex-Foam neoprene 200g synthetic 200g M Select
Upper Material Waterproof nubuck leather Waterproof leather & suede Rubber Waterproof leather Waterproof polyurethane-coated leather and mesh
Toe Box Rubber Rubber Rubber Rubber Rubber
Outsole Handcrafted waterproof vulcanized rubber shell with Sorel aero-trac non loading outsole Surface Control rubber MS-1 molded rubber Omni-Grip Rubber Rubber
Company Claimed Cold Weather Rating -40 F Not listed -40 F Not listed Not listed
Animal Products? Yes Yes No Yes No
Sizes Available 7 - 17 7 - 14 5 - 15 7 - 17 7 - 15

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sorel Caribou is a classic Pac boot, a winter boot design with both advantages and disadvantages. In general, Pac boots are very comfortable and offer a spacious, sometimes sloppy, fit. They have the benefit of a removable liner that allows you to dry them out quickly should you sweat too much or get moisture inside of them. The Caribou is absolutely warm and waterproof, though it isn't the most comfortable or grippy on slippery surfaces.

Performance Comparison


sorel caribou winter boots review - warm, waterproof, and easy to put on, the caribou is a great choice...
Warm, waterproof, and easy to put on, the Caribou is a great choice for shoveling snow or performing other outdoor winter chores.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Warmth


The Pac Boot style construction means its warmth comes from the 9mm thick ThermoPlus felt inner boot. Upon first inspection, after removing it from the boot, we were a little disappointed at the thickness and the opening of the tongue of this inner liner. However, we reserved judgment until after testing, figuring that the Caribou wouldn't have been around so long if they hadn't gotten something right. It turns out they are plenty warm, among the warmest in our ice bucket test. These boots are warm enough for all but the worst winter weather, and in that case, a thick wool sock should add enough insulation to get the job done.

sorel caribou winter boots review - the caribou is a pac boot, meaning it has a removable liner inside...
The Caribou is a Pac boot, meaning it has a removable liner inside its shell. Here is the liner on the left and shell on the right. A nice advantage to this system is that it greatly aids in drying if things get wet.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Weather Protection


The Caribou keeps water, slush, and snow at bay with a very effective molded rubber sole that extends up around the foot, creating a shell. The upper is a treated Nubuck leather that resists water quite well, beading off the water even after our full 8-minute ice bath immersion test. Since there is no inner waterproof membrane like those found on many winter hiking boots, they rely heavily on the outer shell. This means that an annual treatment of the Nubuck material will help them repel water longer. They are waterproof to a submersion depth of 10.5 inches, which is better than average in our review, and plenty for most winter activities like shoveling driveways filled with deep snow.

sorel caribou winter boots review - the ice bath test revealed that the caribou boots are not only...
The ice bath test revealed that the Caribou boots are not only surprisingly warm but are also completely waterproof. The repellency of the leather upper is remarkable - after soaking for over eight minutes, we pulled them out and the interior was completely dry, not a hint of water absorbed.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Comfort and Fit


We hesitate to say that these boots are uncomfortable because their large and spacious fit guarantees a cozy and relaxed experience. However, there is no doubt that the fit could be a lot better. The problem is that they are gigantic, both in the fit and the design of the boot in general. Even with a very thick sock on, there is so much foot slop and movement inside this boot that we would consider sizing down. No amount of cranking the laces down will cinch up this boot to make it feel snug. The room on the inside isn't the only problem, though — the whole boot is just huge. We also can't get over how heavy they are. At 5.25 pounds for a pair of size 13 men's boots, these are over two pounds heavier than the average winter hiking boot. The sloppy fit, large design, and hefty weight guarantee that this is not footwear we want to wear over long distances.

sorel caribou winter boots review - the large lacing grommets make it very easy to pull the laces tight...
The large lacing grommets make it very easy to pull the laces tight with one pull. While laces are not as convenient as pull-on style boots, tying laces doesn't get much easier than with these Sorel's.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Traction


The Caribou features a proprietary rubber compound called Aerotrac, and the sole pattern is made up of small dot-shaped rounded lugs. The low-profile lugs perform best on slippery surfaces like icy sidewalks, where increased surface area makes the boot grippier. However, for most other circumstances, traction is not the best likely because the lugs don't have enough bite.

sorel caribou winter boots review - the rounded dotted lug pattern on the caribou is significantly...
The rounded dotted lug pattern on the Caribou is significantly different than most boots in this review. While it did okay in the snow, these boots did not grip as well as most, possibly due to the round lugs not biting as well upon contact.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Durability


It's worth mentioning that we are concerned there is a durability issue with the vulcanized rubber that forms the bottom lining of this boot. There are countless reports online from user reviews of this rubber cracking or splitting over time due to drying out or simple material fatigue. Numerous other people, we have talked to directly confirmed that this had happened to them. Most of these reports claim that the issue started after a year. Our test period was not long enough to test these claims, and we experienced no such issues of cracking or splitting in our tests, but this is something to consider, and we will report back if this occurs on one of the test pairs in the future.

sorel caribou winter boots review - the caribou's rubber has been known to dry out and crack, though we...
The Caribou's rubber has been known to dry out and crack, though we didn't have issues with this during our test period.
Credit: Sam Willits

Should You Buy the Sorel Caribou?


The Sorel Caribou has been around for the past 50 years and is many people's definition of a snow boot. The design concept is solid, and while we feel that it is not a suitable candidate for long winter hikes, it is an overall good winter boot that provides great warmth and weather resistance and is easy to use. It will fit the needs of many people looking for a quality boot to see them through the winter with a classic style. This boot retails for about average for the contenders in this review. Its versatility is less than some of the other boots at this price, and we have already voiced concerns about the durability of the rubber used in the lowers. However, we didn't encounter that problem ourselves. Still, there are better boots out there for the price.

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?


While we get the appeal of this traditional-looking style and brand, it isn't the best for most activities beyond hanging gout in the snow. IF chores are your plan, we prefer the Muck Boot Arctic Sport Mid with a slight bump in price; this boot offers more for your money and will look better for messy chores that could stain the leather on the Sorel. If warmth is the order for the day, the Baffin Impact is better at keeping feet warm than the Sorel, but it comes with a significantly higher price tag. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy the outdoor trekking or snowshoeing, then the The North Face Chilkat V 400 is a great all-around boot for a little bit of this and a little bit of that. The Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated is also a solid choice if you want a more streamlined look.

Jeff Dobronyi and Andy Wellman