Customer Reviews SOREL Joan Of Arctic™ II

Very cute boot, but the love affair ends there. This boot runs a tad short and the toe box is not very tall. The sole isn't at all cushioned so while it would be nice to add an insole, there is no room. I ordered the next size up and the boot was way too long with a toe box that was still not that roomy. Also, the suede shaft is thick and stiff. My leg really couldn't flex at the ankle. Again, so sad because the styling is perfect.

In one word: Adorable! However, the adorableness stops when putting on the boot. There is no pull-on tab to help get your foot in. The tabs on each side of the top of the boot snap in place, so they can't be used for pulling. Other reviews have commented on the boot digging in above the Achilles tendon. Yes, but most often you have a thick sock or pant tucked in to prevent this. I'm keeping mine because they are so cute and warm, but have to allow extra time to get them on!

This boot is so sweet! I love the faux fur top, felt liner, and the pink stitching and sole make it very special and unique. Not a boring snow boot. Many other reviews say they run large. I disagree. When I first put them on, I felt like they were a bit short, with my toes bumping the front even with pretty thin wool socks. They are a little wide in the heel though, so I put in an insole that just has the heel/arch (anything else in the toe area would squeeze too tight). This makes them much more comfortable and just walking around the house a bit they feel better in the toe. I think the felt liner needs to adjust to your foot a bit. I don't have snow where I am so I'm saving these for a trip - maybe after I see the performance and long term comfort I'd rate up to 5 on all aspects, but the style can't be beat!

These boots are beautiful... if they arrive in good condition. I took the advice of other reviewers and ordered a size down, but had to return them because they were too small. I reordered in my usual size (10) and received boots that had clearly been damaged. Someone had made intentional, deep scratches into each individual leather lace holder on the right boot. I don't know why Zappos would send me such an obviously damaged product, but I just want to remind everyone to thoroughly check their boots when they arrive and make sure your boots are in a condition worthy of the money! For the first time ever, I found myself sadly disappointed with Zappos. I just sent them back and will have to reorder... again.

Totally cute shoes! I bought these to replace a 20 year old pair of Sorels that spent many a winter in Yosemite until moths attacked the lining. These fit tighter across the top of your foot so maybe order a larger size, but the length was accurate...also the lining is no longer wool, it is poly.

Very cute boots and love that they are waterproof! Only thing is, they are rather stiff, so they need to be broken in before wearing out. The back panel above the heel is stiff and digs into the Achilles area, but if you wear them around the house and do a lot of bending of that ankle area, the stiffness gives way a bit. I normally wear 7.5 and ordered a 7. Fits well with thick socks.

I'm very sad to return these boots.. I loved the style but size 7 is big and size 6 is small for me.. I generally wear size 7, but I have been having trouble finding a boot that fits me.. Too bad =(

This is a beautiful boot. I hated returning it but, it was not what I was looking for. Came up almost to knee and was somewhat stiff when laced up. I will be doing a lot of walking in it and thought it too stiff for that. But, it was so well made, cozy warm and very comfortable otherwise.

Cute to look at, but difficult to get one. I also felt like they made my size 12 feet look huge. They felt a little short. If I could have, I would have ordered a half size larger. I am returning these because they are just too hard to put on without a zipper.

These boots look flippin' awesome. Everything about them is wonderful and they seem to be made very well. Jeans can be tucked but if they are not tight, it isn't easy. I ended up just tucking my jeans in to my sock to secure them and it worked out just fine. They do tend to run about a 1/2 size large. Unfortunately, what so many have said about the achilles tendon issue is true. For me, it was not so much a "rub." It was more of a stiff crease that kind of dug into the back part of my ankle, where the tendon starts to meet the leg. I didn't get to wear these too often for long periods of time, so they really are not "broken in" yet. I don't know if they will ease up or not. If you look at the photo, you can tell that the indentation on the back of the boot is about 1.5"-2" too high to fit naturally. Why this was done, i have no idea, but I hope extended wear will help. If not, I don't know how long I will be able to wear these at one stretch - if I have to walk a lot. My plan is to try to find a raised heel support to see if it will help. And of course, dealing with Zappos was a delight, as always!

These boots look awesome! I cannot wait to be able to try them out in the snow!

I love the look & style of these boots. I had a problem with the boot digging into my heel at first (like other reviews stated), but after wearing them a few times, I have broken them in & they are pretty comfortable. My main complaint is that they don’t keep my feet warm when out in cold weather for an extended period of time... or when on the ice. I am disappointed that my feet get cold in these boots because I love the look!

These boots are pretty much exactly what I’d hoped they’d be. They’re warm, dry, and stylish. I can charge through puddles and snow banks without any fear. And without having to feel frumpy. I’m not sure what it is about them that makes them look tasteful. But they work. A lot of people commented that they feel a size larger than they’re supposed to. So I wanted to order a 7, rather than my regular 8. But they were sold out of my size everywhere. So I decided to go with the 8. I’m not actually disappointed. They feel a bit big... but I just think that this is how this sort of boot is supposed to fit. Just in case you want to wear three pairs of socks, or something like that. I think that, had I gotten a smaller size, I would have been uncomfortable. Because, as other reviewers have noted, there is something stiff in the heel that tends to grate if you walk around in these for too long. I haven’t fully broken them in, so I’m hoping that this will go away.

Dare I call a snow boot stylish? These are! I even saw someone wearing them with tights and a short skirt. I was looking for cute, warm winter boots for a ski trip and these fit the bill. I actually ended up buying the Hi-Tec St. Moritz Luxe as well and kept both pairs. The Sorels are a bit heavier and not quite as warm as the Hi-Tec, but that made them more comfortable to wear indoors for an extended time. They felt a little big, but with some $4 arch-support inserts, they fit like a glove (I take a 7.5-8 in a shoe and bought 8s in the boot). The height is a little weird - taller than most winter boots - and being on the shorter side (5’4”) they feel like they crinkle a bit around the ankles, but all-in-all they’re a cute comfy boot.

Great snow boot, but a bit bulky - I got these boots very quickly which was a plus since I had just moved to West Virginia during the east coast freeze a couple weeks ago. These boots are pretty fashionable (I got the Sierra Tan) for snow boots and kept my feet pretty warm and dry even when trekking around trying to shovel deep snow from my car's wheels for an hour after getting stuck. The left shaft dug into the back of my heel the first few times I wore them, and I actually considered returning them, but after a few more times of wear, they broke-in a bit more and the digging was less noticeable. The boot is pretty bulky, I sort of felt like big foot when wearing them and now that the snow is melting around here I feel like I would have no other reason to wear them because they have considerable bulk. Overall a great and fashionable snow boot, takes some breaking in, but happy with my purchase for the purpose I'm using them for.

Decent boots. A little uncomfortable on my Achilles when I walk! The back creases and rubs the back of my leg, hoping it will stop once they are broken in!

The shoe was exactly what I wanted, but it did run a little big - even with the laces pulled tight. They were great for the snow, kept my feet warm and dry and they have great traction for ice and sleet.

Can attest that these are waterproof and warm; wore with thin socks at 12F yesterday while sledding and toes were toasty. They feel quite roomy, especially around ankle/arch. They are wide. I wear an 8m comfortably; these have nice wiggle room even with thick socks. I really like that the liner is removable for drying after kids drop snow into boot on boot tray. Another reviewer talked about the 'dig' into the ankle (Achilles) which is true. When you're moving it's not noticeable and I know from previous Sorels that this tends to be the case until they soften after some wearing; it does sort of prompt you to stand a little ankle flexed. I got these for playing outside because outgrew my old Sorels after kids. I like them overall and would purchase again; however, certainly would like a little less roominess around the ankle. (Honestly I think they have taken a men's boot model and tried to make a lady's boot.)

Cute boot. Sadly, I need to return them, they're too big. I ordered a size up after reading reviews and my feet are swimming in them. Unsure if I should re-order in my regular size, though, as people reviewed a size down [normal size] were too small. Also, although I haven't worn them outdoors [for return purposes] they don't seem like they'd be warm enough boot for Western NY winters, just a guess by how thin the lining is. I Love Zappos, so I'm sure I'll find something to replace them with on here.

Very fast shipping. Ordered after 5:00 p.m. one day and had on front porch the next afternoon! Wow! It took a while to see if I was going to like the boots. I wore around the house for a few hours to decide! I'm definitely keeping them. They might run a little on the big side; I wear an 8.5 to 9 so I ordered a 9. I think the 8 would be too small. The boots are a little wider than expected! The shoes make your feet look a little big, but since I don't have waterproof shoes I think they will be great for the winter! They look really cute on, especially with all the fur at the top! I love the looks of them!

These boots are so cute! However, they were not comfortable for me. My calves are larger so the boot cut into the back of my lower calves when I walked. Darn! Decided to go with Sorel Caribou instead.

I was looking for a warm set of boots to help me survive a Wisconsin winter. I debated between these and the The North Face's Women's Abby II. I couldn't decide from the description which would be better, so I ordered them both and ultimately went with these Sorels. I actually felt The North Face boot was a little more comfortable with a tennis shoe feel and had a much less bulky look. Like similar rubber-bottomed boots, you can easily feel a hard seam around your ankle with these Sorels. I will most likely be wearing thick socks with these, so I didn't think it was a big issue. I ended up choosing these because they felt so much more durable and warmer compared to The North Face. The Sorels were also a few inches taller than The North Face which seemed to be a plus. If you are looking for a casual winter boot, I would choose The North Face Women's Abby II. But if you want a snow-romping boot with toasty toes, I would lean towards the Sorels. Plus, the Sorels are cheaper! Can't beat that!

They do run big. I usually wear a 10 and it was giant, so I got the 9s. Still a bit baggy and my ankle does swim in it. The 10s actually seem a bit taller as well, but I think it's just how each individual boot is made. Very warm and hoping they last a couple years at least. Pants fit inside easily, too. Seem very well made.

These boots might look better in a smaller size. Though they fit just fine the front of the boot looked huge and unattractive. There was a lot of space around my legs too.

I have owned Sorels for years. Their boots, whether for fashion or function, have always lasted me several winters. When my favorite style (Cate the Greats) suddenly were morphed into a less functional wedge, I decided to try these. Not only were these an awkward fit, but poor quality. I figured I would give them a shot since I have loved my Sorels to end in the past. The fit was odd, but did get better with several wears. They are definitely larger than the ones that I have had previously. However, three out of the four pull straps on the out/insides of the boot broke completely and the snap buttons pulled from the leather within weeks of owning them. I have small feet and calves, so it is not like I was yanking them too hard. I thought I could get past it, but these are much clunkier, and not as warm as the Sorels I have owned in the past. For the money spent, I could not justify keeping them with the defects that occurred so quickly into wearing them. Luckily Zappos is always amazing when it comes to any issue or return and took them back immediately. I opted for another brand and style as I am somewhat disappointed in Sorel now. These are not boots that I would own for years and winters to come. Not worth the price or the Sorel name.