Sorel Caribou Boots

Where is the snow? I want it to snow! I want it to snow so I have total justification for popping these clodhoppers on my feet.

Sorel Caribou Wool available here & here

Pretty they are not. Warm they are. And I also have to eat humble pie about saying how I didn't think I needed these fugly ugly snow boots to Miss Sophie. She did a review on these last year and at the time I said I will put on my thick socks and wear my Hunters and be done with. I should also have listened to Fen who claimed these were her best buy of 2012. Well what a difference a year makes. Thick socks and Hunters are not good enough anymore. My circumstances have changed. I became a soccer mom. I stand there on an all weather pitch on Wednesday nights and sometimes it pours and pours and pours. I occasionally stand there on a muddy soggy field on a Saturday too and my feet just get colder and colder and colder. And then I had a lightbulb moment. Admittedly an expensive lightbulb moment, but a lightbulb moment where Sorels appeared to me as the answer. They almost had a lovely hazy angelic glow around them as I envisaged how snuggly my toes would be encased in these monster boots.

I finally settled on these full grain leather Sorel Caribou ones with a wool inner lining (most come with a felt lining) which are designed to cope with temperatures up to minus 40. I hate cold feet. People in North America - I'm thinking of you #PolarVortex

Aubin & Wills jumper, Topshop Jamie Jeans, Zara Parka

Zara parka, Whistles Sweatshirt, Zara Jeans

Did you know these are also known as duck boots. Look at the front of them - they look like duck bills - well actually I've just made that up. The reality is that the top half of these type of boots used to be made from  a waterproof type fabric/canvas called duck cloth. Hence the name duck boots. I personally prefer my reasoning :o)  Quack quack.

And guess what, I even took advice from a fellow soccer dad who had a pair when I sidled up to him and in a reverent whisper asked "Are those Sorels?". He nodded sagely. And I asked him "Are they any good?" and he said "Brilliant. I go to Krakow in Poland each year - it's absolutely freezing and every year my feet suffer but then I got these and my feet are great in them. They are the mutts nuts". Or words to that effect. Sold! Sold! Sold to the impressionable little Chinese lady with the cold feet!

I christened mine last weekend on a walk when Nee-jell & his wife came round with the Border Terriers and we had a stomp through the woods.

The boots weigh about the same as the dogs.

Given that the Sorels are more geared towards snow than muddy fields, they did the job really well. I got a proper workout as I tell you no lie - these boots weigh a tonne. They probably weigh the equivalent of a small dog each. But I love them. You know when you open the box and you don't quite get it? I was a bit like that with the boots. They looked huge. I put them on and then I started to smile and then I started to stomp around like the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) and then I chuckled a bit and then looked around to see there was no one looking who thought I might need possibly locking up. I declared them KEEPERS.

Do you know what's also really superficially good about these? Call me shallow but they make your legs look about 2mm thinner. They are so big and fat, they make everything else look small. Woohoo!

And I hear there is snow a coming? Maybe in the next few days? For once I can't wait :o) I'm prepared, are you?

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Last note :

• The boots are true to size in my opinion. I bought them in a UK 4 and they fit comfortably. There is ample toe wiggle room and I wear these with just thin socks for maximum comfort.

• Not recommended but it is possible to ride a bike in these - yes I did that. Don't ask.

• I did my hour all weather pitch duty last week and when I came home, I made the Grumps feel how toasty my feet were to make him fully appreciate my reasoning for the Sorels. I may not have bought them with snow in mind but they suit my purpose and need.

• Oh - and a little inspiration on how to wear your Sorels .... not so fugly ugly now eh?

Via