Merrell VS Sorel: which Is Better?

Winter boots are attractive and classic as they range from traditional to contemporary styles, all with the same goal in mind: keeping your feet dry and toasty in the cold weather.

In today’s article, we will throw light on two popular winter boot manufacturers: Sorel and Merrell, by comparing and contrasting each of them and providing a detailed analysis. So, without waiting any longer let’s get into it.

Comparison Table Between Sorel And Merrel:

SorelMerrell
Founded in 1962Founded in 1981
Winter Boots, Rain & Duck boots, Hiker boots, Athletic sneakers, Casual styles, Chelsea and Chukka bootsHiking, Trail Running, Slip Ons, Sneakers, Boots, Shoes, Sandals
Not a better choice for HikingGreat options for Hiking
Feels heavyLightweight
Less BreathableMore Breathable
Rubber, Leather, and MicrofleeceItalian Metal, Rubber, and Leather
More Winter boots options for outdoor and casual use
Less Winter boots styles
60 days return policy30 days return policy

Overview of Sorel:

Sorel introduced their company to the principles of hard work and producing high-quality products, and since then they have never turned back. 

Although the brand has passed to different owners, the initial concept has remained unaltered, and the originality is still rooted in each pair manufactured.

Arthur Ratz Kaufman a well know Canadian industrialist launched the brand in 1962 in Ontario, Canada and their first boot collection is designed for outdoor use and rigorous labor.

After that Sorel was bought by the Columbia Sportswear company in the year 2000. Columbia added an updated twist to the practicality, efficiency, and legacy of the Sorel footwear, making it as prevalent with women as it is with men. They shifted the retail locations from agricultural and hunting supply stores to boutiques and independent retailers which better reflect the brand’s sophisticated image.

As demand for Sorel products boosted the company started growing its offerings to add a wider selection of footwear, including shoes, boots, sneakers, slippers, and sandals.

However, none of these options perform as great as the boots that made this company famous, in which one of their best sellers, the Women’s Out N About Classic Waterproof Boot, is known all over the world.

Additionally, Sorel always tries to make choices that are good for the environment when making their products. According to them, they take into account not only the materials, resources, and manufacturing processes that go into making footwear but also its intended lifespan and the outcome of the product when it was at the end of its useful life.

Overview of Merrell:

Merrell is a footwear and apparel company founded in 1981 by Clark Matis, John Schweizer, and Randy Merrell. John and Clark have considerable background in outdoor travel gave them a boost in building a successful company, Randy, on the other hand, had the appropriate shoemaking skills.

The main goal of this friendly and cooperative partnership was to design, manufacture, and market high-quality outdoor shoes and boots without sacrificing the wearer’s comfort or productivity.

There’s a lot to like about all of the phenomenal Merrell shoes, and their best-selling Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Shoes are durable, provide great grip, and feel very comfortable on most types of trails.

Due to their exceptional footwear brand got worldwide appreciation and millions of nature enthusiasts all around the world still consider Merrell a top-tier shoe company. 

Despite the brand’s success, Randy Merrell preferred to sell his share of the company a few years later, and in 1997 it became a part of the Wolverine World Wide label.

Presently, Merrell’s footwear is still crafted from superior materials, exactly as it was in the 1980s, however, the brand now designs and sells a variety of other products.

Merrell has always a strong commitment to quality and safety in its manufacturing processes, has believe in the shoes they manufacture, and aims to inspire and encourage its customers by providing them with reliable footwear.

Also See Our Comparison Between: Merrell Moab 2 And Moab 3: Which Is Better?

Major Differences between the brands:

Now we will give you a brief detail of the comfort, shoe designs, the price of each brand, and other factors that will help to pick between Sorel and Merrell.

1) Comfort:

The primary point that makes Merrell boots comfortable is how light they are, this is because your feet take most of the force with each step, so taking a few grams off them will also make your outdoor activities pleasant and speed faster.

The bottoms of these boots are made of long-lasting materials like rubber or foam that are padded and pliable for maximum comfort on any surface.

Also, the EVA midsole with a Nylon arch shank concealed inside is very supportive and functions as an effective barrier against the cold so you will never experience discomfort even after a few hours of winter hiking on snowy, uneven terrain.

Conversely, the shoes made by SOREL are known for being high-quality and comfy for everyday adventures. Despite the tough construction materials, they’re surprisingly soft and supportive. 

Waterproof suede, durable rubber outsoles, and molded EVA footbeds with textile top covers are just a few of the elements that provide the right amount of comfort. Also, their sturdy insoles and excellent arch support make them suitable for long days of traveling.

You will also feel that the lining is supple, and the upper material or synthetic fur collar is soft to the touch.

Ultimately, sizing will play a big role in terms of comfort so you should know that these boots tend to run large; therefore, it is important to choose the correct size to ensure long-term comfort. 

We have also compared Merrel Moab 3 and Alverstone. You can read it here.

2) Popularity:

Merrell is a popular choice among hikers and adventurers, in addition to being “Brand of the Year” at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, Merrell has been honored with so many product rewards globally.

On the other hand, Sorel is undoubtedly the most well-known brand of footwear in Montana (Western United States). Rapid growth in popularity has resulted from their long-lasting winter and work boots.

It is now even winning the hearts of Hollywood’s A-listers, including Katie Holmes, Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Blake Lively, and many more.

Also Check Out Our Article: Merrel VS Oboz

3) Target Market:

Sorel made its footwear for men in the beginning but now the demographics have evolved, and now women make up more of its user base. This shift represents that specifically fashion-obsessed women are their primary target market.

However, the company’s stated mission is to “create products that are accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of their sexual orientation or financial status.”

Merrell, on the other hand, caters to anyone who enjoys outdoor activities; the brand does not necessarily target a specific age group but offers something to suit everyone in the active community.

4) Price:

Sorel boots’ price range start at approximately $90 to $300 whereas Merrell boots will cost you about $50 and can go up to $200. Most of the Merrell boots are generally more affordable than Sorel.

Both of the brands indeed cost more than the affordable options in the market, but you get what you pay for.

Also Check Out: Timberland VS Merrel

5) Design:

The Sorel Company offers an extensive variety of footwear, however, when it comes to winter boots, most people don’t care about how they look and choose function over style. Sorel boots don’t look like most trendy winter boots, so they may not be appropriate for everyone.

Being able to keep your feet secure, anti-slip and other properties that would be useful in winter outdoor activities make these a staple in terms of practicality.

First and foremost, they provide a very warm feel with a 6-9 millimeter inner lining, a cozy Sherpa pile cuff, a sturdy leather upper, and a wraparound rubber sole that offers a pleasant boost of confidence when crossing ice water. Additionally, the liner is removable, which is a one-of-a-kind feature that accelerates drying after getting wet in deep snow.

Whether you’re going on a short hike, trekking through snow, or just rushing to the office in the pouring rainfall, Sorel is great to keep your feet dry and protected.

Alternately, Merrell specializes in hiking shoes, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that most of their boots are great for hiking in the winter.

In addition, they take a conventional boot style and modify it for use in colder climates by adding a higher shaft height, a durable leather upper, waterproof lining, and a proprietary insulation foam fill that allows you to hike in temperatures as low as ten degrees Fahrenheit.

Every pair of Merrell footwear is also equipped with “M Select cushioned footbeds” to provide support and reduce fatigue.

On the whole, Merrell Winter boots are an excellent choice for extended winter hikes and snowshoeing. 

Conclusion: What Should You Choose?

In the end, it all depends on what you’re seeking, to put things simply, Sorel is for you if you are searching for durable, professional-grade winter outdoor footwear. These boots are functional, comfortable, and able to withstand cold temperatures. Those who take lengthy winter walks and require something warm on their feet typically choose these.

Whereas, if you want hiking winter boots then Merrell is the best choice as they have shaft heights to enable greater mobility. It’s also important to note that these aren’t much stronger and most supportive, so you should not consider them when carrying heavier backpacks during long hikes

Now I am hoping that you have sufficient knowledge to determine the suitable brand.

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