Customer Reviews SOREL Joan of Arctic™ Waterproof

When I got married and moved to Minnesota, my husband bought me a pair of Sorel winter boots. They were so heavy and ugly I did not wear them for two years. Then a deep snow winter hit, and I converted. I wore those boots for 12 years--casual wear, in the city, running around doing errands and picking up kids. So regular use, but not heavy. Finally they wore out. I told my husband "Sorel boots are amazing! This time--I'm going to buy myself the most expensive and beautiful pair of Sorels on the market, because I know it's an investment and I'm going to have them for years." So--the Women's Joan Of Arctic boot. They came and I loved them. I got *so* many compliments. And I loved telling the story of my old boots and how these boots were a treat for me. Because--Sorel, right? Then... In one season of wearing them in the city, the heels wore through and the boots started to leak. I was horrified, but not alarmed. I figured, "just get in touch with Sorel, and they'll take care of it. This must be a problem unique to my boots--some sort of quality control issue that they'll be eager to fix." Well, I was wrong. When I called in, the service person I spoke to informed me that Sorel was under the new ownership of Columbia, and if my boots were over a year old, there was no guarantee for materials. If I wanted, I could mail the boots in at my own expense, and they would see if they could be repaired--also at my expense. Just wow. So the bottom line is: if you like the look of these boots and want to wear them for a season, go ahead and buy them. But if you imagine you are buying a premium, high quality item from a manufacturer who will stand by the quality of their goods--forget it. I live in Minnesota. We need durable, warm, high quality winter gear. Sadly, Sorels no longer seems to fit that bill.

A long review, but a very thorough one! I bought these boots a few months ago, but decided I needed to wait until I REALLY needed them to review them- and since my region just got pounded with a nasty snow storm for the last few days, I've been able to break them in a bit and give a review. Style: I bought these boots because they were practical, but stylish looking. I've fallen under the spell of Uggs and other suede boots for the past few years, but I haven't been able to keep a pair through to the next season- when you wear boots like those consistently through a hard winter, the moisture and demand on the boots is too much. So I decided to purchase Sorel's because the last few generations of my family trust them to no end. They've definitely lived up to the Style standards. They're practical and cute. Ice: The first day of our storm was sleet, that then froze over-night and carried into the next day. I had to walk to a class before 8am, and none of the sidewalks had been salted. I stayed upright the entire time (even though I walked pretty fast, I was running late!) though the majority of the people walking around me were skidding a lot. Every time I skidded, the boots ended up gripping before any tragedy could occur. Snow: The town won't plow the sidewalks until the snow is done- so that means snow piled up on the sidewalks, and what wasn't packed down was just above my ankles- or where the rubber ends on these boots. I was very pleased- no moisture got into my boot, they were very effective in keeping out drifts of snow, even when plodding through. Part of that is due to the felt liner- they've added in a stretchable inset that stretches to fit your leg, instead of the old felt Sorel liners I remember that just had a slit through the middle. A much better design. --Also, Felt liners mean that the liners are replaceable, and if you feel your boots are getting colder again, you can purchase replacement liners instead of replacement boots.-- Warmth: My toes stayed toasty, with and without thick wool socks, and as someone who has suffered frostbite on my feet previously, that's a tough criteria to live up to. Size: I took the advice of other reviewers, and purchased down a size. I purchased a 7 1/2, while I would normally wear a 7 1/2 or an 8, and they're roomy for a 7 1/2, allowing me to wear thick wool socks. I'm not sure that they're really a 1/2 size large, because wearing thick socks is pretty darn tight. Comfort: The boot itself is comfortable, but if you let the felt liner touch your skin, it will rub and be very uncomfortable. I suggest always wearing long socks and perhaps even tucking your pants into your socks. I have some pretty nasty rug-burn like stuff near my ankles now. Over all a great boot for the first storm- I'm guessing they'll be great for many to come!

People...Land’s End—women’s alpine boot. Half the weight, 2x the insulation, infinitely more comfortable (true to size), just picked them up on sale for 50% off—$57. This sorel boot is like wearing cement shoes, no flexibility in the shaft whatsoever, overpriced AF.

I live in Minnesota, it is snowy and cold here in the winter. I go out in snowstorms, walk through snowbanks, walk around in the cold, but my feet stay warm and dry. these boots are awesome! I know that Sorel does make other boots with higher ratings for colder temperatures than these, but this style is the perfect compromise of fashion and function. So far this winter, it has dropped to -12°, not counting wind chill, and my feet still stay warm. And I have Reynauds Disease. So that really says something. As for sizing, I am a 9½, and I got the 9½ and I think that I picked the best size for me. I did try on a pair in 9, but my toes touched the end, and that I do not like. So I think the size is true to size length wise, but they are a bit wide, and I think maybe that is why almost half of the reviews states they run large. But I am glad that I got my normal size. I do think a thick insole would be good to snug up the width for me a bit, but that is not even necessary. These boots are pretty comfortable, I had no issues with the Achilles area that I read some other people are having. They are a great investment. I do not regret buying these at all!

These are cute boots but they cannot come close to my 30 year old real Sorrels. They are warm as long as you are not standing on snow or ice for a while even with extras like wool and high tech insulators under the liner. Warnings: Fur allows snow in! They are not for deep snow, unless you like wet feet. I wish they came with a draw string lining inside the fur. The fur also catches all kinds of things, weeds, stickers, hay, and sometimes makes its way down to your feet.

I bought 3 different styles of Sorel boots, needing to replace my 20+ year old pair. I purchased Tivoli High, Joan of Arctic and Tofino II. The Tivoli High are as stylish as a snow boot can be and the most flexible and easiest to walk in of the bunch, but very difficult to get on. They might work for those with a narrower foot or low instep, but if you have a wider foot or higher instep I wouldn't recommend, extremely difficult to get on and run on the narrower side. The Joan of Arctic are the biggest, heaviest,clunkiest of the 3 and impossible to get on even though they have the widest footbed, something about the way the ankle or instep is shaped. If you're truly in the snow for hours these are probably the best bet if you can get them on! The Tofino II were the perfect compromise and the easiest to put on. I live in the high desert of Central Oregon where it gets cold and icy and plan on wearing them to walk 1-2 miles, dog park, etc. and my snowshoes fit on them just fine without being as clunky as most snow boots. They are a little stiff at the calf but I'm hoping they'll break in a bit. And I just tested them on my icy patio and the traction is great!!I couldn't get the Joan of Arctic on to test sizing, but with the Tivoli and the Tofino I found they run true to size, just the Tivoli ran a little narrower. I wear an 7.5 or 8 and the 8 were the right fit.

The cutest winter boots that actually keep feet warm!! Definitely get one size down from what you normally wear. I'm a size 10 and originally did get 10 (since there were no size 9's left). They were super loose. Luckily I checked with Zappos a week later, to see that they must have got more size 9's in, so I did an exchange and the 9's fit perfectly. I have these in the Hawk color and just love them. It was a little difficult to get my feet into them, but that's not worth complaining about when these boots are so cute and functional. I had no problem tucking my jeans into them either. Zappos also proved to be the best in customer service; I thought I would have to send back the wrong size before they would send out the correct size for me, but no! As soon as I contacted Zappos about the need for an exchange, they sent new boots out that day, and only asked that I return the other ones within 14 days! Try the online live chat with their customer service; they are quick and so helpful!! Thank you Zappos!

These are so cute and comfortable!! I love them! They are very well made, and I love the round toe. It gives the perfect amount of room so your toes aren’t squished together. So happy with these!

These boots are fantastic! I usually wear a 7 M/B in boots, and that’s what fits me well in these. Based on other reviews, I also tried a 6.5 M/B, and they were too small. There’s plenty of room in these for thick wool socks, but they’re also comfortable with a thinner sock. Things I like: very soft and cozy interior, easy and quick on and off, keep my feet warm and dry (snowdrifts and -7°F this morning so great test for them), easy to walk in, my Stabilicers fit well on the bottoms for when I’ll be walking on hilly or mountain terrain, haven’t had any problems with slipping on flat icy surfaces, very stylish for a snow boot, excellent quality and workmanship, the tongue of the boot is fully attached/integrated to right below the fur trim so no snow can seep in, removable and washable liner. These are truly boots to last a lifetime, especially since the liners are replaceable. Something I don’t mind but that others may find to be a negative: they’re heavy.

Definitely warm and waterproof - I wore these out on a 6 mile hike through five inches of snow and ice in January in the Pennsylvania Mountains. I even walked through springs with moving water, mud, and slush that came up past the rubber part of the boot. Amazingly, my feet were warm and completely dry the entire time. I bought these boots for days like this and hikes like this but they really performed better than I expected. And even after all the mud and snow, they still look new (I have them in black). I should mention that because I have been wearing Uggs, my feet did feel pretty heavy by the end of the hike and these boots were bulky enough to make me feel clunky and clumsy at times but I haven't noticed these problems during shorter walks or while chasing my dogs around in the snow. These boots are comfortable in the ankle and easier to drive in than in my North Face Chillkats. A very warm and seriously waterproof boot. I’ve lived in places with serious winters my whole life and never owned boots that performed like this. I am normally a size 5 so I ordered a 5 in these and since they run a little big, I shoved a size 5 Ugg insole in them. Works great.

Best Winter Boot Ever - I live in Vermont and these are by far the best winter boots I have ever owned. I was in search of a cute waterproof boot that was comfortable. I tried about 15 different styles until I found these. I have worn these boots everywhere, from snowshoeing to the inauguration in DC (standing in freezing cold for 15 hours) and have received so many compliments on them. They are rugged, yet stylish. My only small issue with these boots is that they are really wide and I have very narrow feet. I usually wear an 8.5 and I ordered these in 8, could have gotten away with 7.5 but I get cold easily and wanted to be able to wear thick socks with these (although they are so warm, I have never needed thick socks).

My rain boots are not insulated so I had to search for something to handle snow. These boots are cute, but they are also insulated, waterproof, and roomy enough to wear thick socks and add arch support if you need it. I took these to the arctic and they kept my feet warm and dry. At times I was up to my knees in snow. They can be hard to get on or off because of the laces but being able to lace the uppers more tightly means the snow doesn't get in. I did have to add crampons for walking on ice. Looking forward to using these boots on many snow days in the near future!

I ONLY WORE THESE BOOTS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE BUTTON BROKE. TRIED TO SEND BACK AND THEY NO LONGER HAVE MY SIZE SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO EXCHANGE. VERY CUTE BUT UPSET THAT I CAN NOT REPLACE WITH ANOTHER PAIR.

I'm writing this review because I relied a lot on other reviews, so I want to help out if you have sizing questions. My foot is medium to narrow width, I have a high arch, and I wear a 9 in hiking boots, running shoes, etc. I can wear an 8.5 in dress shoes and sandals. I never need a 9.5. This boot is different. Though the 9 "fit", it was definitely too short, and my toes felt crowded inside that thick felt liner especially with socks on. My toes FREEZE at the slightest cold, and I need warm socks to fit inside the boots. I needed the 9.5 to accommodate socks and length. I plan to wear them in the snow, at 8,000 feet, at a ski cabin, and playing in the snow with my grandchildren. Not walking to and from a car. Good luck finding the right size. These are great, cute boots, but I haven't tried them in the winter yet. I just bought them in April because my toes froze last winter.

I wanted to upgrade my snow boots after our awful polar vortex and 10 inches of snow in the past week – so far these are so warm in the snow, and cute enough to wear on a Friday to work. Gray is SO cute! It's a true medium-light gray; not beige like my photos seem to show (awful florescent office lighting). I am usually a 9, depending on width (I can wear anywhere from a 8.5 to 10, from sandals to wedges to heels). I ordered the 9, and they feel roomy in the width, but not too roomy. Size-wise, I think I did the right thing – they're enough for my toes to wiggle, and I can wear thicker socks or layered socks, but it's not like my feet are swimming in them. I have a normal arch, and these don't feel SUPER supportive, but I won't see any arch comfort issues. An important note: DO wear these with thicker socks until you can break them in. I read reviews about the area on the back of the ankle that rubs, and I find it does a bit. I'd recommend loosening the laces a bit around the ankle area, and then snugging up the rest of your calf so it's snug but comfortable. That should help a bit with the rubbing, and so should breaking them in a bit to form to your lower leg. I'd say order your normal size if you're an average arch and average to a little wide width. I look forward to rocking these bad boys all winter (which will be through, like, May in Minnesota)!

I bought my Joan of Arctic boots in December 2009, while living in Syracuse. From 2009-2012, I wore these boots very regularly in the winter. Fast forward to 2019, I still live in a snowy region of upstate NY and can honestly say, they are as amazing today as they were the day I received them. These boots are a MUST if you live in a snowy area. They are a bit heavy, but they keep your feet warm and are extremely waterproof. They are durable and can withstand extreme winter weather for years. They run a little large and wide, so I recommend sizing down 1/2 a size. Definitely the best shoe purchase I’ve ever made!

Not for narrow feet. I love the way these look and they’re very popular in our area. They seem to be great for snow and keeping water out but my reason for returning was the soles are quite thin. I could push up in the sole with my fingers and feel it. If it walked over a rock, I could feel it. For this reason, I’d think my feet would get cold. The other reason I chose not to keep them were they were quite wide in the footbed. I have a narrow size 9 foot. They were true to size but my foot was flapping around inside and the boot just felt clunky when I walked. I need something a bit narrower for my foot. I ended up keeping the Columbia minx midi iii as it was much tighter and made for narrow feet.

They fit true to size. My foot is a 7. I made the mistake of purchasing half size bigger because typically in boots I get a half size bigger to wear thicker socks but these run large so stick with your true to size. I ordered a 7.5 and too big even with thick socks. I exchanged for the 7 and they fit perfectly. The 7.5 looked awkwardly huge too. I feel the 7 don’t look huge. I have a narrow foot and the 7 are harder to take off but no too bad. So far I love these boots. They are comfortable and easy to walk in. A little on the heavy side but that’s to be expected with a rubber boot. I got color honest beige.

I wear size 11 in regular shoes and Zappos "recommended" I order 11 but I followed a hunch and ordered a 12 too—good thing! The 11 was almost impossible to pull on, it was so small, and the toe was too short. The 12 fits perfectly and is snug with mid-weight socks on. I'm considering going UP to a 13. I read in a comment in an Amazon review of this boot that snow boots are supposed to be a little big, so there is plenty of room around the foot to hold and trap air. "According to many skiing and outdoor activity websites, winter boots are SUPPOSED to fit loose. In order for feet to stay warm, snow boots should not fit snug like a shoe. So, the felt lining in these should be loose enough for a thick pair of socks and still not be snug. When people order a size down it contributes to their cold feet and complaints of back of boot digging into their heels. Don't expect them to fit like a fashion boot."

Perfect fit and I am very very very (three verys) happy with these most excellent snow boots from Sorel. I am distraught about one thing. The Sorels did not come with snow to wear them in. A bit of a disappointment, I must say, but I am not taking off a star from my 5-star rating because it hardly seems fair to blame Zapponians for not being able to get me a $5 million "cabin" in some gorgeous snowy mountain area so I could lounge around all day in my "Joan of Arctics" wondering if I should at least go out onto the balcony in them (a few inches of snow) to get the hot cocoa set out on the table so I could enjoy the view of the Swiss Alps (Zappos would normally send a famous chef with the Sorels and the famous chef would make the cocoa and set it out in a lovely spread on a table on the balcony near the firepit and heated lounge chair, also provided by Zappos as part of the full "extra mile" service we have come to expect from Zappos). I know this missing cabin, snow, chef, cocoa, lounge chair, Alps thing is a mere oversight by Zappos' fulfillment and that the Zapponians INTENDED to give me the deed to the cabin with the perfect snow outside, and with appropriate servants and such, which of course might mean I would not have even needed to WEAR the Sorels because the manservant or whoever would be the one running outside into the cold and snow to fetch this or that for me. A pine cone I fancied while looking through the oversized windows, for example. "Jeeves," I would call out, lazily, "Do be a dear and fetch that pine cone over there, just beyond where the avalanche edge is." What does any this have to do with the fabulous fit and style of these Sorels? you are wondering. The question has just now occurred to me as well. Better late then never, I always say. But now it's way too late to 'fix' this review and really, if Zappos HAD included the expected $5 million cabin and snow (with or without Alps) but with the manservant, and you think for one minute I'm going to take off a star here because Jeeves is reluctant to go out in the snow and fetch me a particular pine cone, well, just think again.

I usually take an 11 in boots but with these, the 10.5 felt better. I rarely wear socks with them, but I still have some room to wear socks if needed. Even in the freezing cold and snow, my feet stayed warm. I love the style - hate the work to take them off, but they are so cute!

Bought these boots for our harsh Chicago winters. Love the look and kept my feet warm. Ordered a size 10, after reading reviews I was on the fence between a 9.5 and 10. I could have went with a 9.5 but since I wear them with thicker socks it’s not too bad. Overall they kept my feet warm. Comfort once broken in is not bad, they are a bit stiff in the ankles upon wearing them. They are a bit clunky but you should expect that when buying a true snow boot.

As far as shoes go, these boots really are beautiful. Unfortunately, I should've thought more carefully about the functionality I need over the style that I prefer. They are extremely heavy, and since I live in an urban area that requires significant walking everyday, they don't meet that need well. Also, very surprisingly, these boots were heavy enough that by the end of the day, my back (and even ankles, a bit) hurt. I have back problems, so I'm sure for most people this wouldn't be an issue. It didn't occur to me that the weight of these boots would require that, at least for me, wearing throughout the day at work just isn't an option. That hasn't been an issue with other boots I own, though they are mostly very light weight. Also, I wear a size 8 1/2 and if anything need to size up. Thick socks of course make a big difference, but the boots still felt a tad big. Overall, I will sadly need to return them. I hope I can find a similar style w/less weight and better sizing for me.