Gear of the week | Sorel Men’s Glacier XT Boot

The shoe

The boot has a very high gaiter, which is practical if you have to leave the house in ski underwear and without socks to get tools and/or a cold beer in the garage. The shaft can be closed tightly using the drawstring laces to prevent draughts and snow getting in. Otherwise, I prefer to pull the ski trousers over the gaiters. Skinny touring trousers are not suitable for this, since, as the gaiter, just like the whole appearance of the boot, is rather bulky. This brings me to the actual shoe and its details. The Glacier XT is clearly not made for shopping and fine dining, but rather for rough and cold conditions, which it does extremely well in. Thanks to the boot's high level of thermal insulation, temperatures in the double digits below zero are no problem, making it suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities in cold conditions. Longer hikes are not its strong point, as it is not tight-fitting enough for this. The 13mm thick ThermoPlus liner has Omni-Heat Reflective lining, which keeps the warmth close to the body. The combination of thick felt insole and 13 mm thick Sorel Meltdown midsole guarantees protection against the cold from below. The outside is made from windproof and waterproof synthetic fabric with a robust PU coating. The foot area is covered with waterproof, vulcanised rubber. This protects the shoe from all-round moisture penetration and increases abrasion resistance in the terrain. The sole is grippy and offers good grip in all snow conditions.

I've used the shoes around 80 times so far, and there is almost no sign of wear or signs of use. The brand is from Canada and has long-term experience (founded in 1962), which is immediately apparent. The shoes are, or rather were, also available for women and children.