REASONS TO BUY
Classic vibe
Stable base
Awesome for wide feet
Removable liner
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Fits large
Persistent reports of cracked rubber after long-term use
Sorel Caribou Review
This long-time classic winter boot is warm and solid but fits large and may not be as rugged as it was decades ago
Credit: Chris Maxcer
By Chris Maxcer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 11, 2025
RELATED: The Best Winter Boots for Men
Our Verdict
The Sorel Caribou is one of our favorite winter boots for shoveling driveways. The classic Pac boot style construction, which blends a waterproof rubber lower, a leather upper, and a removable insulating liner, results in a warm boot with a wide, stable base. First introduced in 1962, this iconic winter boot continues to deliver a cool classic style that has somehow lasted more than 87 years. Beyond its serviceable good looks, the thick felt liner is warm and cozy, and the treated leather is essentially waterproof for all practical purposes. Despite its staying power, the Caribou is heavy and clunky to wear, so it's not the best option for walking long distances or navigating rugged terrain. Still, for casual explorations of mountain towns in winter, navigating icy, slushy parking lots, pulling kids on sleds, and clearing neighborhood sidewalks of snow, it's hard to beat.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The most important thing to know about the Sorel Caribou is that it runs ridiculously large. Everyone we know appreciates this boot more when they size down at least 1/2 size, and some have been able to size down a full size for an optimal fit. Over time, the liner also packs down, giving you even more room inside, so bear that in mind.
Too heavy for long hikes, the Sorel Caribou is a warm and comfortable option for short winter jaunts and cold-weather chores like shoveling the driveway.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Warmth
With its thick 9mm removable felt liner, the Sorel Caribou is one of the warmest boots we've tested — but we think its warmth can suffer if the fit is too large and sloppy. One benefit of its extra-large sizing is that you can wear much thicker socks to gain extra insulation, but we believe most people prefer to wear typical socks most of the time. If that sounds like you, these boots actually feel warmer to us when the fit is snugger.
The 9mm thick felt interior bootie helped insulate the interior against frigid ice water in our tests.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Weather Protection
The Sorel Caribou provides excellent overall protection from the elements. The rubber bottoms are waterproof, of course, and the nubuck leather upper is also waterproofed. What about the stitching where the leather meets the rubber? Sorel seals the stitched seams on the inside of each boot.
With stitching sealed from the inside, the Sorel Caribou winter boots are waterproof even at depths above the rubber bottoms.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
We could stand in icy water and tromp through creeks without wetting our feet. The only drawback to this design is that we like to wear these boots with our pant legs tucked inside because they're big boots, and it just looks better when you want to rock the Caribou style. Snow can eventually wet the liner when worn this way. However, once your day is done, you can remove the liner for faster drying overnight.
The Caribou kept our socks dry while tromping through snowmelt runoff.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Comfort and Fit
Even when we size down to better fit the Sorel Caribou, it's still a wide, roomy boot, making it a great option for those with wide or high-volume feet. As with most Pac boots that use cushy, thick liners, the comfort is very good. Our feet have plenty of room to roam in all directions. However, overall comfort is reduced by the sheer size and weight. A typical size 11 weighs well over 5 pounds per pair, making them cumbersome to walk in, especially over long distances. The wide sole does help increase surface area for traction on slick surfaces like snowy driveways, but off-trail travel in forested environments can be awkward compared to some newer, trimmer, lighter designs. So, as long as you're not walking for miles or navigating tough terrain, the Caribou is a very comfortable boot.
The key to the Caribou's comfort is its thick felt bootie and cavernous interior.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Traction
Traction is decent but not stellar. The Sorel Caribou has an extra-large sole that increases surface area for walking on slick surfaces, but the relatively small, rounded lugs don't provide a lot of bite into snow on slopes. It's definitely not bad, but we tend to see better bite when the lugs are larger and have sharper edges.
The wide soles provide decent friction on flat surfaces but sometimes lacked bite on steeper snow-covered slopes.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
In some ways, the large soles can increase stability on slick surfaces, even if they technically slide a bit, which helps us keep our footing during surprise slips while walking or shoveling snow.
We found the Sorel Caribou to be backcountry capable, but they're definitely not as agile as newer, lighter, trimmer designs.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Quality of Construction
The overall quality of the Sorel Caribou is a complicated story. Versions that were manufactured in North America decades ago enjoyed a stellar long-lasting reputation, but newer versions manufactured elsewhere don't enjoy the same level of trust. We're not sure if this has to do with a rubber formula change, a manufacturing change, or if it is simply the result of increased user reports in a digital age. Either way, out-of-the-box quality is awesome with stout stitching, quality leather, and great waterproofing. The primary trouble spot comes from widespread, persistent consumer reports of the rubber cracking over the forefoot over time, usually for those with rigorous, daily use. For example, one Idaho ski resort employee told us he usually only gets two seasons out of his Sorel boots before they crack. We personally haven't seen this happen to our test pairs yet — but we're not wearing them as frequently as ski resort employees.
The out-of-box build quality of the Sorel Caribou is very good, but some users have reported cracks in the rubber over time.
Should You Buy the Sorel Caribou?
If you want a warm, waterproof Pac boot with a classic vibe that feels like it will stay stylish forever, the Sorel Caribou is a great choice. While it's a bit heavy and clunky for serious walking, it's perfect for pushing heavy snow while shoveling. We sometimes leave ours loosely tied, letting us step into them for easy trips to the mailbox. For outdoor play like sledding or walking the dog, the laces cinch up fast, making these a versatile boot for typical winter activity.
What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?
If you want a lighter boot that's also warm, the The North Face Chilkat V 400 is a great all-around performer. We prefer it over the Caribou for walking longer distances, especially up or down slopes, due to its lighter weight and grippier traction. Available usually at a lower price point, the Kamik Nation Plus shares a similar versatile design. If simplicity is what you're after, the slip-on rubber Muck Boot Arctic Sport Mid excels in waterproof protection from puddles and slush.
As long as you're not trekking for miles, we still find the chunky Sorel Caribou both warm and strangely endearing.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Sorel Caribou versus top competing products:
—Chris Maxcer
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