Must Have Summer Shoes from Sorel

We've chosen a few of our favorite summer shoe styles from Sorel to ensure you're ready for any occasion in style and absolute comfort

Whether you’re headed on a summer getaway, running errands or lounging around, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite summer shoe styles to ensure you’re ready for any occasion in style and absolute comfort.  My go to brand, whether it be for summer slides or rugged winter boots, is and will continue to be Sorel.  If, and it’s unlikely, you’re not familiar with Sorel, the company has been expertly crafting shoes and boots since 1962.  In that time, Sorel has managed to combine the unmatched comfort of their boots with high fashion, offering styles for every season, purpose and personality.  These are a few of my favorites this summer and the one’s you’ll see me in.

Sorel Joanie II Strap Wedge Sandal

Sorel Joanie II Strap Wedge Sandal

Women’s Joanie II Strap Wedge Sandal

No summer wardrobe is complete without the perfect wedge sandal, and this is it – the Joanie II Strap Wedge Sandal. It’s the perfect all day shoe, whether for work, dinner and everything in between.  The Joanie II offers the comfort Sorel is known for, with the perfect amount of cushion and support, meaning you can quite literally wear these shoes all day with no fatigue or sore spots.  You can also wear them just about anywhere as they have a solid rubber sole that offers excellent traction and again adds to the comfort.  The Joanie II Strap Wedge Sandal comes in three colors, elderberry (which is my personal fave), black and sage.

$160, via Sorel

Women's Campsneak Slip-On Shoe

Women’s Campsneak Slip-On Shoe

Women’s Campsneak Slip-On Shoe

Sorel will never let the rain get in the way of keeping you from looking great, so for the dreaded summer downpours, the Campsneak Slip-on is a must.  Made with a waterproof upper of either waterproof suede, waterproof nubuk or waterproof leather with comfortable canvas lining and a molded rubber sole, your feet stay completely dry, whether on the boat, in a downpour or hopping through the occasional puddle. Again, comfort is key here, and thanks to a memory EVA footbed, you can spend all day in these shoes and stay comfy all day.  Choose from black, oatmeal, sage or kettle to perfectly pair with your wardrobe, and whether rain or shine, you’ll look and feel amazing.

$90, via Sorel

Women's Kinetic Lace Sneaker

Women’s Kinetic Lace Sneaker

Women’s Kinetic Lace Sneaker

As a woman on-the-go, I’ve always taken my sneakers very seriously, buying solely based on fit and purpose. But trends have changed and sneakers are now a part of the fashion world, and it’s a trend I’m happy to embrace. The problem is, sneakers have always been anything but fashionable, but Sorel pulled the comfort and fit of a sneaker and made it look good in the form of the Kinetic Lace Sneaker. Thanks to their soft fabric upper and scalloped sole, which is perfectly on trend for the summer, the Kinetic Lace Sneaker is exceptionally cool with ample cushioning, making them the perfect weekend or on-the-go shoe. Color options include natural tan (my fave), black, mauve vapor, white or blue shadow.  If you’re looking for something even more chic, Sorel also offers the Kinetic Sneak with a lightweight mesh upper and velcro straps.

$130, via Sorel

Women's Ella Slide Sandal

Women’s Ella Slide Sandal

Women’s Ella Slide Sandal

No summer wardrobe would be complete without the perfect slide sandal and like the others, the Sorel Ella Slide Sandal exemplify comfortable chic. Full grain leather straps with an PU-like EVA footbed and perfectly molded rubber sole look amazing and feel even better, finally giving you a chic sandal option you actually want to wear.  Offered in black, camel brown or zing, these quick slides will match any summer ensemble with elegance and style.

$75, via Sorel

Sorel Chugalug and Conquest Carly Boots

The Sorel Chugalug and Conquest Carly Boots bring fashion and function to winter boots

Growing up in the Midwest, SOREL boots have been a staple in my winter wardrobe for as long as I can remember.  And while the styles have changed over the years, transitioning from more rugged, functional boots to boots as at home on the runway as they are on the street, the one thing that hasn’t changed is Sorel’s core attributes.  They’re incredibly warm, they’re incredibly comfortable, and they do an impeccable job protecting you from the winter elements.

This year for Christmas, I wanted to get my wife a new pair of boots, which is what led me back to the Sorel brand.  I had a relatively good idea of what I was looking for going into my boot hunt, and when I found Sorel’s Conquest Carly boots ($220), I knew my search was over.  They’re really a fantastic boot, with a structured, iconic design perfectly suited for wear in the city.  They’re also quite slimming compared to many of the other boots I looked at.  It’s a design that was taken from one of Sorel’s heritage boots, but re-imagined to be equally bold and beautiful with a hint of femininity.

Sorel Women's Conquest Carly Boot side view

Don’t be fooled by their good looks though, Sorel’s Conquest Carly boots are rugged enough to take you almost anywhere, and they’re lightweight to the point that they should handle long treks with ease.  From a protection standpoint, there’s a full grain leather and nylon upper (with bungee and lace enclosure) to protect your calf, while the leather stacked heel and waterproof rubber shell help keep your feet dry and toasty.

After ordering my wife’s Conquest Carly’s and absolutely loving the style when I saw them in person, I did the only logical thing that someone in my position could do:  I looked into a pair of men’s Sorel boots for myself.  Lo and behold, the Sorel’s Chugalug ($190) immediately caught my attention, so I picked up a pair.

What I love about the Chugalug is its vintage look.  Inspired by a Sorel boot from the 70’s, the new Chugalugs note such a unique style – totally different than other boots I already own.  They’re a little bit rustic, but modern enough for city life.  I totally dig them.

Sorel Men's Chugalug Boot side view

Construction wise, the Chugalug protects your feet with a full-grain leather upper and moc stitched shell attached to a natural crepe rubber sole.  In use, Sorel’s Chugalug is incredibly comfortable to wear, a little bit roomy (perfect for warm wool socks), and as I’ve come to learn, draw praise from everyone I meet.  Overall, I adore my Sorel Chugalugs, and I have no doubt my wife will adore her Conquest Carly boots as well.

If you’re looking for functional yet stylish boots this season, Sorel has done a fantastic job with their latest designs, perfectly combining each.  They’ve maintained the rugged qualities and craftsmanship they’ve become known for while making their boots equally as fashionable.  The Sorel Conquest Carly and the Chugalug Chukka are a perfect pair of boots in my book, and well worth checking out this holiday season.

You can see more of the Sorel Chugalug and Conquest Carly boots in our gallery below, or head over to the official Sorel website for more details and ordering information.

How to Survive the Frozen Tundra

We've chosen the perfect pieces for you to layer in order to not just survive but be comfortable in freezing temps

The majority of the Midwest is about to experience a horrendously bitter cold front, with temps expected to drop to as low as -50 degrees windchill by Monday.  As one of the gear writers here at eMercedesBenz who’s also heading to Green Bay on Sunday to watch the Packers do battle with the San Francisco 49ers, it would be irresponsible of me not to take this opportunity to tell you exactly how to prepare for the impending arctic freeze, starting with your upper half.

Helly Hansen Base Layer

HH Dry Base Layer

The first and most important rule is this:  always start out with a great base layer.  There’s a reason your parents put you in long underwear as a kid.  Thankfully, however, base layers have come a long way over the years, and there’s no greater example of base layer technology than that offered by Norwegian based Helly Hansen (and let’s face it – if anyone knows how to stay warm in freezing temps, it’s someone living in Norway).  While Helly Hansen offers multiple options for base layers, my two favorites are the HH Dry Revolution LS or the HH Warm Freeze 1/2 Zip.  Both excel at keeping your body heat in while wicking moisture away from your body; the HH Warm Freeze adds in a merino wool construction for extra warmth.  If temps get really cold (like the game I’m going to at Lambeau Field), I’d recommend layering them both together and going from there.  If temps are cold but not arctic, pick one and go from there (both are available for men and women).

Ice Breaker Mid-Layer

Ice Breaker Fleece

Once you’ve got your base layer handled, the next step is picking a mid-layer, and I’d recommend going with a fleece.  I prefer to choose brands that rate their fleeces based on their weights, which helps eliminate having to guess how warm your fleece is going to be.  Again, I’m a big fan of  Helly Hansen’s midlayers, but another of my favorites is the Ice Breaker Legend Long Sleeve Zip that’s 100% merino wool.  Both brands’ midlayers are super warm and dry quickly, yet they’re still light weight and not at all bulky, leaving you with plenty of freedom to move.

Canada Goose Langford and Kensington Parka

Canada Goose Langford and Kensington Parka

Lastly, the final piece of gear you need up top is your outer layer.  In my case, I’m going to be sitting for hours in a stadium without partaking in any real outdoor activity.  If I was on an expedition that had the potential for varying weather conditions, I’d opt for a two-piece hard and soft shell outer layer that I could adjust as needed.  But when temps are arctic and are going to remain arctic, you want the warmest outer layer possible.  There are very few brands out there that truly offer arctic wear, but one of the brands that excels at doing so is Canada Goose.  Designed and made in Canada, Canada Goose field-tests their gear in the coldest places on earth.  Like the other layers we chose, Canada Goose uses a rating system called the Thermal Experience Index (rated from 1-5), that helps you choose a jacket based specifically on your activity level and the temperature at which you’ll be doing that activity.  TEI1 is meant for more active pursuits in milder temperatures while TEI5 is made for the harshest, coldest temps on earth.  And while Lambeau Field is going to be cold during Sunday’s game, it isn’t going to be South Pole cold, so a TEI5 jacket isn’t quite necessary – a TEI3 or TEI4 is more appropriate.  Canada Goose’s Langford and Kensington parkas (both from the Arctic Line) are  ideal choices, both for their warmth and their longer cut (which helps your mid section warmer.

That covers the upper half; now let’s look at your lower half.

This likely comes as little surprise, but the first rule (again) is selecting a great base layer, and I’d recommend starting off with one of Helly Hansen’s Base Layers.  In this instance, I’d go with the HH Warm Pants, as they’re the best lower base layer I’ve ever used.  Next, you can again opt for a pair of fleece pants as a midlayer, but I tend to opt for two layers for my lower half.  In my case, I opted for a pair of Tundra Down Pants from Canada Goose – pants that excel at preventing any wind from getting through while retaining all of your body heat.  Again, both options are available for men and women.

Finally, now that we’ve covered your main body parts, let’s focus on the body parts that are easy to overlook, yet still incredibly prone to frostbite: your fingers, toes and head.

Dakine, Sorel and Patagonia

Dakine, Sorel and Patagonia

For your fingers, the greatest gloves I’ve ever used come from the brand Dakine.  For the ultimate in warmth, I personally believe in mittens, which in my case means I’ll be wearing the Sahara Mitt, similarly available for men as the Ranger Mitt.  If you fancy gloves, the Dakine Kodiak Gloves for men and the Odyssey Glove for women are my two personal favorites.  Choosing the right boot is also important, and my go to brand for boots has always been Sorel.  While you can’t go wrong with most of their boots, for frigid temps, I recommend going with their Intrepid Boot for men or their Glam Explorer Boot.  Both styles are made specifically for the cold with a thick boot liner and heavy outsole to keep your feet up and off the ice.  And don’t forget the wool socks, with my personal recommendation being those from Smart Wool.  Lastly, to prevent my ears and face from freezing, you can’t get better than a balaclava.  Mine is the Patagonia Midweight Merino Balaclava – it’s comfortable on your skin without any poorly place stitch points – and it’s a must when temps get really cold.

After all of these pieces, there is one piece of clothing you absolutely cannot forget on game day – a little piece of green and gold in the form of a either nicely styled hat or an oversized cheesehead.  I’m going with the hat, but I’ll leave that one up to you.

What to Wear: Sorel Winter Boots

Three winter boot must haves from Sorel

Boots – they’re the staple of any winter wardrobe.  They can make or break an outfit, making tights and a tunic look like a well thought out ensemble or a complete fashion fail.  In addition to making a style statement on your behalf, the best boots are functional as well, keeping your feet toasty warm and dry no matter what kind of weather you’re enjoying.  And while you’re not going to find a stylish and functional pair of boots at bargain basement prices, if you choose right, you will get a great pair of boots that will give you several winters worth of use.

Choosing the right pair of boots seems like a daunting task, but rest assured, I’v done the leg-work for you.  Having tried and failed with several styles and brands over the years, I’ve had freezing toes at a football game, a heel break off at a work dinner and blisters from the wrong shoe selection while on vacation.  Trust me when I say that a great pair of boots, while a necessary part of winter, can be one of the best parts of winter.

To start off my winter wear picks, I decided to choose a few styles from one of my favorite brands and one that has never left my feet freezing, uncomfortable or unattractive – Sorel. They’ve been around since 1962, so it’s no surprise that over the past five decades they’ve mastered the art of boot making.  They originated in Canada where cold weather deems it necessary to wear warm protective boots nearly year round.  And just as importantly, they work with some of the best designers in the business, making boots that are at home on any snow capped mountain while equally at home in any fashion mag.

Sorel Joan of Arctic Premium Boots

Sorel Joan of Arctic Premium

To give you the broadest range of what Sorel has to offer I decided to choose three very distinct winter boots for three very different looks.  The Joan of Arctic Premium is a classic style from Sorel, but every year they update it with new details and different colors and materials. Even with the changes, however, Sorel has never lost sight of what made it an iconic boot in the first place.  Why the Sorel Joan of Arctic Premium?  It’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about puddles and melting snow.  It’s really warm, thanks to a felt lining that keep your feet at a comfortable temperature without getting sweaty.  And lastly, they look great, with the perfect blend of ruggedness and style.

Sorel Conquest Carly Boots

Sorel Conquest Carly Short

The second pair of boots (and the ones that could become my favorite go to boots of the season) are the Conquest Carly Short Boots.  In a couple of days, these boots will look very familiar to you, as their taller sibling is featured on Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games Catching Fire movie that’s about to hit theaters.  Like the taller version, they’re lightweight, meaning when you’re trecking through the snow, you won’t be the slow one that’s stomping around like you have weights around your ankles.  And thanks to the combination of a rubber sole, nylon and leather upper, your feet will also stay dry.  What I really love about these boots though is their style.  They’re a go to boot that pair well with just about anything, and personally, they’re one of my favorite boots to get dirty.

Sorel Winter Fancy BootSorel Winter Fancy Boot

Sorel Winter Fancy

And the final Sorel boot recommendation is the Winter Fancy Tall Boot, a classic dress boot with the same great waterproof and insulating properties as Sorel’s more rugged winter boots.  The Winter Fancy boot is perfect for nights out when you want something a little more sophisticated and dressed up but don’t want to sacrifice feeling in your toes or if you just prefer a sleeker city style.  They have a great heel and buckle detail, but my favorite part of the Winter Fancy design is the front zip for quick and easy removal after a long day of trekking through cold weather and snow.

Sorel Summer Shoe Picks

We pick three of our favorite shoes from Sorel, one of our favorite shoe brands

With summer here and fall approaching ever so quickly, we thought now would be the perfect time to bring you three of our favorite shoe picks from one of our favorite footwear brands: Sorel.  What makes all of our Sorel shoe picks so great, however, isn’t the fact they’re purely summer shoes. All of them will help you make a perfect transition into fall as well, when temperatures start getting a little cooler and the weather a little wetter.

There’s the Sorel Yaquina, a casual, Mexican inspired summer boot featuring a lovely and bright textile upper (in a design that’s completely unique). There’s the Sorel Lake Wedge Sandal, a flirtatious shoe that’s perfect for a day on the boat or a night out on the town. And there’s the Sorel Medina Rain Heel, a functional, stylish boot that keeps your feet dry and still looks incredible with a dress.

You can check out all three of our Sorel Shoe picks in the gallery below, or check out the full lineup of Sorel footwear at the official Sorel website.

Sorel Joan of Arctic and Crazy Cable Wedge Boots

Winter's coming to an end, but that doesn't mean you can't pick up a new pair of Sorel boots before it does

It’s March, which traditionally means the blessing of warmer weather begins to fall upon us.  And while we’d love to start talking spring, the reality is that for those of us in the northern half of the country, a fair amount of snow still remains.  In an effort to make what’s left of the winter a little more bearable (and a lot more fashionable), we thought what better way to end the cold season than with another look at boots from one of favorite footwear purveyors – the always fashionable Sorel.

This isn’t our first look at Sorel.  As you probably remember, I recommended a pair of my favorite Sorels a couple months back (which I still adore by the way).  Since then, I’ve managed to convert numerous friends and colleagues to make the switch to Sorel, and so today I’m going to be showing you my co-workers’ choices in boots this winter.  And if you think it’s too late to buy a pair of winter boots, think again.  All three of the boots I’m about to show you are on sale, meaning not only can you look great this (and next) winter, you can save a bunch of money doing it.

So without further ado, a look at our staff picks from Sorel boots, each of which varies dramatically in style, but all of which do an incredible job keeping your feet dry, warm and stylish.

First up, the Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge LTR Boot.

Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge Boot standing front view

Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge LTR Boot ($270, on sale for $201.90)

The Joan of Arctic Wedge is a unique winter boot, in that it’s an incredibly sleek and stylish boot perfectly at home in the city; but it’s also one that notes a thick rubber sole to help you take on even the coldest days of winter.   Available in both brown and black, the Joan of Arctic Wedge notes the same great wedge heel that Sorel has popularized over the last few years, but it’s styled in a way that blends perfectly into the style of the boot.  It gives you height, but not at the expense of an overly chunky heel. Overall, the Joan of Arctic Wedge takes a classic boot and adds an air of sexiness to it.  Also worth noting is that the Joan of Arctic Wedge Boot’s note a full lace design with great D-Ring hardware and matching rivet details.

Construction features of the Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge LTR Boot include:

  • Full-grain leather upper
  • Leather lined
  • Molded rubber outsole
  • Weight: 21 oz / 600 g
  • Shaft Height: 15 in / 38 cm

You can order the Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge LTR Boot at the official Sorel online store, with sizing starting to become limited.

Sorel Crazy Cable Wedge Boot front view seated

Sorel Crazy Cable Wedge Boot ($320, on sale for $159.98)

The Sorel Crazy Cable Wedge Boots are a stylish, cozy pair of boots, with a style perfect for curling up by the fireplace with a book and cup of hot chocolate (at least that’s how the girls in the office describe them).  Up top, a knit upper gives the boot a built-in leg warmer, while a full-grain leather shell and molded rubber sole help to create a durable, comfortable base to protect you from the elements.  To give you a bit of added height, the Crazy Cable Wedge also notes a 4-inch heel with 1-inch offset, but like the Joan of Arctic Wedge boots, they do so in a way that doesn’t look bulky or unattractive.

Construction features of the Sorel Crazy Cable Wedge Boot include:

  • Leg-warmer knit upper
  • Full-grain leather shell
  • Molded rubber outsole
  • 4” heel with 1” offset
  • 15 in / 38 cm shaft height
  • Weight: 26.5 oz / 751 g

You can order the Sorel Crazy Cable Wedge Boot at the official Sorel online store, but we’d recommend doing so quickly, as sizes are already becoming limited.

Sorel Joan of Arctic Reserve Boot seated front and side view

Sorel Joan of Arctic Reserve Boot ($400, on sale for $299.90)

The Sorel Joan of Arctic Reserve Boots takes the design of a classic winter boot and adds in an edginess with the use of a spotted cow hide.  The ultra-luxe limited edition boot features spotted hair-on cow hide in black and white, a removable shearling liner, and to protect you from water and snow, a vulcanized rubber shell.   The result:  a super stylish, incredibly unique winter boot designed to keep you perfectly protected from even the harshest winter elements.

Construction features of the Sorel Joan of Arctic Reserve Boot include:

  • Seam-sealed waterproof construction
  • Leather upper
  • A removable 6mm recycled felt InnerBoot
  • Faux fur snow cuff
  • 25mm bonded felt frost plug
  • Handcrafted waterproof vulcanized rubber shell with herringbone outsole
  • Shaft Height: 12 in / 30.5 cm
  • Weight: 31 oz / 879 g
  • Sorel rated: -25° fahrenheit / -32° Celsius

You can order the Sorel Joan of Arctic Reserve Boot at the official Sorel online store.  If you’re interested, we again recommend ordering quickly as numerous sizes have already sold out.