Does Sorel Boot Come From... Sorel?

While all Quebecers are familiar with Sorel, many will be surprised to learn that the legendary winter boots were never actually produced in Quebec.

Indeed, it was in Ontario in the early 1960s that the Kaufman Rubber Company introduced the Sorel brand, offering a warm and waterproof boot designed to withstand the harsh Canadian winters. The brand does refer to the city of Sorel, Quebec, which was then considered a steel city and produced boats in sometimes extreme weather conditions. In short, just like the polar bear logo, the name was chosen symbolically to express the enduring character of their winter boots.

Until the late '90s, Sorel boots enjoyed success largely based on their reputation as excellent winter boots. That being said, the brand offered little innovation, catering to a rather limited market. Despite being highly appreciated, Sorel gradually headed towards bankruptcy.

Seeing the potential and quality of Sorel boots, Columbia Sportswear Ltd decided to acquire the brand in the early 2000s. The company was then reorganized, and a new marketing strategy was implemented. Columbia aimed to preserve the heritage, functionality, and quality of Sorel boots while infusing a more modern aesthetic. They started regularly introducing new models and selling them through more fashion oriented boutiques.

With numerous collaborations in the fashion industry and still being recognized as high quality footwear, Sorel became a success story again. The company is more popular than ever and continues to offer not only its classic winter boots but also products that strike the perfect balance between avant-garde fashion and functionality.

From winter boots to sandals to insulated mules, which are perfect for slow mornings and weekends at the cabin, we have selected a collection of Sorel products that reflect the brand's commitment to continue creating increasingly iconic and functional products.