Sorel Falcon Ridge III Review

Why not bring the comfort of slippers with you, wherever you go? Sorel may have asked themselves that very question when designing the Falcon Ridge III. The gorgeous suede upper exterior is paired with a lofty and insulated faux curly shearling ready to keep your feet toasty. Tons of traction from the crepe rubber outsole should give you confidence when venturing far from the bedroom. You'll also find a sizable midsole in these (new for the third iteration of this model) and an insole with a built-in heel cup and arch support. Quality of construction is up there with some of the best slippers we've slipped on, making these a good value for their price.

Comfort

Comfort is what it's about for the Sorel Falcon Ridge III. The interior is lined throughout with a thick, faux curled shearling, which adds a ton of lofted insulation and softness to the interior of the slipper.

This shearling spills out over the entirety of the collar, softening the transition and providing a little padding for when you cross your feet together.

Unlike many other slippers we've tested, the Falcon Ridge III comes with a thick, removable EVA insole, as well as a cushy midsole, making walking in these a delight, rather than a chore. They offer more support than your run-of-the-mill slipper.

The midsole especially makes the Falcon Ridge III much stiffer than other slippers, which is great for strolling, but may hamper their abilities if what you're aiming for is just a cozy hang.

Insulation

Insulation abounds in the Sorel Falcon Ridge III whose inner is lined in a thick, comfy, soft faux curled shearling both on the upper, as well as on the footbed of the insole.

Our freezer test revealed excellent warmth retention after storing these slippers inside the freezer for a few minutes, when compared to other slippers in our test.

With a heel that wraps fully around the wearer, warmth should be trapped in not only your toe area, but all around your ankle and heel as well.

Breathability and Moisture Management

With so much faux insulation found inside, the Sorel Falcon Ridge IIIs definitely heats up! If temps are too high for just how much insulation is provided, your feet may start to sweat. The faux shearling seems to do a fairly good job at wicking sweat from our skin, but the heavier suede does cause a barrier to the outside, preventing both air and moisture from escaping. That's great for keeping warm, but not the best for ultimately keeping you completely dry.

When lounging around inside, this shouldn't be much of a problem, especially since these slippers are so easy to slide in and out of. But if you're planning to walk around for an extended period of time, you do run the risk of sweaty feet if conditions get too warm.

Traction

Care of the natural crepe rubber (which is essentially just a crinkled pattern) outsole, the Sorel Falcon Ridge III's outsole seems to stick to practically any surface, especially smooth, hardwood floors and the like.

In our inclined plane test, we measured the Sorel Falcon Ridge III at sticking until around 49 degrees, when the slipper finally yielded to the constant pull of gravity.

One detail to note concerning the outsole is that the crepe rubber does have a tendency to easily pick up dirt, which will stick to the natural rubber, changing its color.

Along with stickiness, the Sorel Falcon Ridge III actually has substantial arch support and a heel cup, care of its insole. the midsole and outsole are much more built up, when compared to other slippers, making the Falcon Ridge III far more adapted for longer walks outside.

If you're comparing this slipper with its predecessor, the Falcon Ridge II, you may be surprised at the increased amount of stack height. The previous version of this shoe lacked a midsole.

Construction Quality

We discovered the quality of construction of the Sorel Falcon Ridge III to be high when compared to other slippers we've tested. The thick, rich suede is what we would opine is the highlight of the entire slipper. The gummy, crepe rubber of the outsole is also a somewhat unique choice, and sets these slippers apart from others that use a more synthetic, blackened rubber. We were surprised and honestly fooled to learn that the shearling used in the lining is faux; it does really look like the real thing. Why use this material? We can only guess that maybe cleaning a natural material just isn't worth it to the manufacturer.

The ornate ladder-like mocc toe-style stitching found encircling the upper is a detail that we found is often imitated in cheaper slippers, but in our opinion the Falcon Ridge pulls it off the best. The exterior will require the correct care, as the suede isn't water resistant. Follow the manufacturer's suggestion for drying and cleaning for a long slipper life.

Should You Buy the Sorel Falcon Ridge III?

If both walkability and supreme warmth/insulation are on your “must have” list, the Sorel Falcon Ridge III may be a match. You'll be hard-pressed finding a slipper that illustrates both together so well, while being made out of some really gorgeous materials. These slippers are probably best for wintery conditions and are too warm for summertime duties.

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