Gear of the Week | Sorel Caribou

I wasn't even aware of these shoes until a few years ago, even though the Canadian company Sorel has been around since 1962. They have always relied on thick and robust leather, wool and felt. I can already say in advance that the shoes do have a style factor and can be and are now worn in the city. Up here in the mountain metropolis of Davos, you could almost think that if you don't have any, you don't have anything.

For my part, however, I focus on values such as robustness, durability, warmth and dry feet when it comes to these faithful companions. Whether I'm clearing snow, sledging or just out building something in the snow, they absolutely serve their purpose. Thanks to the grippy and wide sole, they offer great grip in the snow. The raised rubber edge (rubber boots send their regards) ensures dry feet even in spring when the snow is slushy. The rest of the upper shoe and the shaft are made from thick nubuck leather, which so far shows no signs of fatigue.

The seams between the rubber and leather are sealed from the inside. The inner shoe is made of 9mm thick felt and keeps your feet toasty warm. I went one better and put a fat lambskin insole inside instead of the standard felt insole. I can only recommend it.

The fact that the manufacturer focuses on the desirable longevity can also be seen in the fact that you can reorder the inner shoe individually if it should ever become too thin. I really wear my shoe a lot and I'm starting to think about replacing it, as the heel suffers over time when the inner shoe is removed. However, this is not a weak point at all, as it is reinforced again. It's more due to the fact that I like to wear the shoe a lot. At around 150 euros, the shoes are certainly not a bargain, but they are worth every penny.

For those who need shoes for even more rugged terrain, Sorel also offers the Bear Boot, which comes highly recommended. Just like the Caribou, I can recommend these from experience and with a clear conscience.