Customer Reviews SOREL Slimpack Riding™

I had to order this boot two different times and every boot had its own individual fit. Very odd and disappointing. After reading other reviews this seems to be a theme.

I didn't like these at all. They look really cute online and I wanted something different than the typical black shiny rain boot, but the Shale color is much darker in person and they were just too clunky for me. Not one feminine touch to them - and that's okay if that's what you want. I sent them back.

Let me start by saying I have a very narrow foot. I ordered these in my typical size and couldn't get my foot in at all. The boots are very cute, though I don't think they grey on the boot in the picture looks quite like the actual boot. The material is actually grey leather, but it looks a little like suede in the image. Unfortunately, I think having the boot material with the leather over the top just makes the boots way too stiff. I think because some of the other reviewers mentioned they were warm, I was expecting a fur lining inside, but there definitely is no lining. I ordered these thinking they could be worn as cute snow boots, but I will be returning them.

Will try once again, but had to return since the original pair I had were not waterproof. Each shoe over normal wearing began to leak water inside. During a rainstorm where I was outside for 45 minutes both my feet were soaking. Also, I don't think there is much support in these boots, my feet hurt after wearing. But LOVE the style so will try the replacement pair and hope these are truly waterproof.

These boots look awesome but are MUCH smaller than the size I ordered. The ankle area was so small the I couldn't get one of the boots on...very disappointing.

These are very cute. But they did not hold up in the snow. My toes got super cold and wet. The back of the boots also scraped up my ankles, even after wearing them a number of times with thick socks. If I cannot wear them in the snow them what is the point?

I thought I was gonna love this boot, but I found them stiff and very hard to put on. Not worth the high price point at all.

Costs too much to be so poorly constructed. Two different sized boots though the size says they are the same. Size was too big in heel, my foot swam in it but my toes touched the front. One boot was what I can only describe as 'caved in' and hurt my foot to get past the ankle. My calf swam in this size as well. I'm a normal 7.5 with normal sized calves but sized up due to comments I read. I won't try this company again. Shame because they looked so cute and I need a good waterproof tall boot.

I was looking for a cute pair of waterproof boots to wear in the fall and winter, and I loved the look of these. I was hesitant to spend $210, but after talking to several people, they all assured me that Sorel makes high quality boots, and that these boots would last me for years. I spoke to a few people who had been wearing the same pair of Sorels for 20+ years. The price then seemed like a fair investment, because I thought I was investing in quality. I have owned these boots for two years now, and I wish I never bought them. I am stuck with them because I can't pay $210 and then just throw them away, but they are NOT high quality. Do not make the same mistake as me and think you are investing in a pair of boots that will last. First of all, these boots are ridiculously hard to get on and off, to the point where it is painful. Even after years of use and being worn in, the leather is not forgiving and there is no zipper or anything on these, so oftentimes, I have to have someone yank the shoes off my feet for me. And, everytime you take these shoes on and off, the leather gets scratched up. No way to avoid it. Second of all, within WEEKS of owning these shoes, the suede "Sorel" logo on the back had completely worn so that it didn't say Sorel anymore, and loose threads were sticking out on every part of the boots that has suede; the suede looked old and rugged, though I had barely touched it. I wish I could say that these shoes at least keep your feet dry... but they don't! Water leaked through the seems of these boots the FIRST time I wore them. Not to mention, they don't keep your feet warm in the slightest. I put these on when it was 40 degrees Fahrenheit (which is hardly cold), and after being outside for 30 minutes my toes were FROZEN (and I was wearing nice wool socks, too). Now, after two years of minimal use, the bottom is actually hanging off the left shoe. I am so disappointed. I really wanted to love these boots. But the quality is astoundingly poor. I don't know if this is a fluke, because other people really love Sorel, but I am hesitant to purchase from Sorel again. I would NOT recommend these, especially if it will be a bit of a splurge for you. I'd hate for someone else to be as disappointed as me and be stuck with a pair of boots that can't even keep your feet dry.

I ordered these Sorel boots because I thought they would be stylish, comfortable & keep my feet warm during the winter. However, when I tried them on & walked around the house they were not comfortable! Something inside the boot was rubbing my ankle. I wear a size 10 & don't have wide feet but regular size with small ankles. Sadly they were returned. Thanks.

This was my original review of this boot. "November 21, 2014 Anonymous from Pennsylvania I scoured reviews to find one from someone who actually rode horses in these boots before pulling the trigger. I was looking for a pair of boots to work at the barn in that were cute enough to transition to teach college in, and would also work for winter riding. I was replacing my 4 year old Hunter rain boots (finally cracked) and my 7-year-old Timberland Charles St short boots that I use for riding/mucking whose zipper finally gave up the ghost. These boots have not disappointed. I ordered up, after reading 180+ reviews to a 9, when I could really probably swing an 8 or 8.5 but I wanted to double up socks as I work winters in PA outside. I am doubling up my socks and they're perfect. They are a little gappy in the calf (I'm 5'6" 126 lbs) so I expected the calf to be a little big but I cinched them down and its okay. No breaking in, have worn them for three days straight since they arrived. But what I really wanted to say is they were AWESOME to ride in. I am riding in a County English saddle with a wide-ish stirrup and was worried the toe would be too big for English based on my Sorel Joan of Arctics. But they worked, felt secure, and were easy to slip out of the stirrup in a flash if needed. They are my new favorite go-to winter boot!" UPDATED REVIEW: I used to love these boots. However, less than 8 months after purchasing them, these boots have turned into a huge disappointment in the quality department. Within a month, the black rubber covering the heel chipped off, showing the white underneath. I had read that could happen and contacted customer service, curious if Sorel had resolved the issue in new manufacture and maybe I got a pair of 'old' boots. Nope, but Zappos did apologize and offer 1/2 refund if I wanted to keep the boots. (Thanks Zappos!) Since then, the rubber has peeled pretty badly around the heel, but I kept them as my barn boots. What is ridiculous and unacceptable to me for such pricey "waterproof" boots is that on a damp June morning, as I walked out to the barn, I noticed my feet were feeling wet--the rubber in the foot had split! So now they not only look peeled and beat up, they aren't even waterproof! Less than 8 months after buying them! I appreciate Zappos and their awesome customer service, but I feel like Sorel and buyers should know that these boots are not good quality and certainly not for the price! My Hunter rainboots stayed waterproof for 3 years. These have been a disappointment, but since I am still $110 into them, I guess I'll superglue the splits in the rubber and try to at least get a year out of them.

Horrible boots. Horrible waste of money. The seams at the zippers have come apart, the inside lining is disintegrating and the rubber at the toes has come off. I have horses, wore these boots for only 3 months. DON'T buy Sorel. You will regret the money spent.

Super cute boots, but not quality for the price. By the end of the first season, the rubber part started to crack. Now, one & half season in, the cracks are larger & they are unwearable & unrepairable.

I wear a women's size 10 in Sorel boots. I have purchased size 10 from Zappos previously and they fit really well. I decided to order a 10.5 in this boot so that I could wear thick socks with it. When this Slimpack Riding boot arrived, I could not even get my foot inside the shaft. It is marked 10.5 but in actuality it seems like a 7.5 or 8. It is incredibly small and tight. I will be returning this boot today. Very Very Disappointing!

Very disappointed by these as they are not waterproof. I'm a dog walker and trainer in NYC, sometimes walking 15 miles per day, no matter the weather. I bought these to get me through another wet and cold winter, and they've already let me down...and when supposedly waterproof footwear lets me down on a rainy day, it means I have soaking wet feet that turn into prunes, have to try to dry my socks on my clients' heaters between sessions, wrap my feet in plastic bags inside the boots (which always slide off, so my socks get wet again) and ultimately get a cold. So yeah, I'm mad. I've worn Sorels for years, mostly Joan of Arctics, and they've never been this leaky and worthless. And it's not as if I stepped in a puddle up to my calf (although I did do that in the JOAs and they never leaked)...I merely walked in heavy rain, and it immediately started seeping through the seams around the brown leather section on top of the foot. If you do step in a puddle that hits above the rubber section, the seam on the leather flap that hangs over it will also allow water in very quickly. These are attractive boots, but if Sorel has begun sacrificing quality and utilitarian value for aesthetic appeal, they will quickly lose their popularity, and people will move over to brands like Cougar Canada and Pajar. I'm going to try to return these. Or maybe burn them. So mad. I've been sick for two weeks because of you, Sorel!

These boots made me so sad. I was obsessed with their style and my husband surprised me with them for my birthday. I received the size 9 based on other reviews. I could get these on but the ankle was large and the shoe was loose. So I ordered the 8.5. I couldn't even get them on. I've always had a pair of Sorels since I live in Minnesota and these disappoint big time. They might be a totally different boot if they had a zipper. I sent both pairs back. Boo.

I loved loved these boots on my sister in law. And she said they were super comfortable. Reading all the reviews, I sized up. However, perhaps my calves are too "athletic" but the shaft was pretty narrow and tight and thus bunched at the ankles. I couldn't even pull the buckle closed because there was no give. Too bad, these are the best looking snow-ish boots I've seen.

I had originally said these boots were great and totally water proof. Then I wore them on a day with heavy rain/snow and my feet got wet somehow. Not paying this much for waterproof boots and have my feet get wet. So if you like them, just realize that they are not wet weather boots, but more like pretty sturdy and cute boots.