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Sorel Winter Carnival Review

A fashionable winter boot that provides style and comfort but is not necessarily the warmest, sturdiest, or most protective
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Sorel Winter Carnival Review (We like the color, lacing system, furry collar, and overall style of the Winter Carnival, we just wish it performed...)
We like the color, lacing system, furry collar, and overall style of the Winter Carnival, we just wish it performed better in the snow and rain.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   Sorel
By Liz Chamberlain ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 23, 2022
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 18
  • Warmth - 25% 7.0
  • Weather Protection - 25% 7.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 7.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Durability - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

We really like the Sorel Winter Carnival for its stylish comfort and water-resistant outsole but were disappointed with the overall performance in our field tests. Despite a waterproof nylon exterior and a mid-high rise upper, the boot lacks waterproofness and weather protection on stormy days. The removable felt liner and rubber outsole kept us warm during active movement but didn't do the job when standing out in cold temperatures for an extended period of time. If you're searching for stylish footwear that works as a winter boot and won't entirely break the bank, this is a solid option. But if you're searching for exceptional traction, durability, and weatherproofness, you may need to look elsewhere.
REASONS TO BUY
Flexible
Solid coverage
Fashionable
Warm
REASONS TO AVOID
Flimsy structure and support
Looser fit
Limited traction
Editor's Note: This Sorel boot review received an update with more information to help you make a boot buying decision. It happened on February 23, 2022.

Compare to Similar Products

 
sorel winter carnival
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Winter Boot for Women
Top Pick Award
Best Protection for Wet Winters
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A solid winter boot that provides enough warmth for everyday wear but isn't grippy enough for trail useThis stellar winter boot excels in the warmth, weather protection, durability, and traction categoriesHighly protective, this easy to use boot has impressive traction and insulationNot the most durable or fashionable, but this boot is warm, waterproof, easy to use, and has solid tractionA versatile winter hiking boot that boasts excellent traction and warmth and kept us protected in ultra-snowy conditions and uneven terrain
Rating Categories Sorel Winter Carnival Baffin Chloe Muck Boot Arctic Ic... Kamik Momentum 3 Keen Revel IV Polar...
Warmth (25%)
7.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weather Protection (25%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Comfort and Fit (20%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Traction (15%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
Durability (15%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Specs Sorel Winter Carnival Baffin Chloe Muck Boot Arctic Ic... Kamik Momentum 3 Keen Revel IV Polar...
Maximum Puddle Depth 6" 9" 16" 6" 7"
Measured Shaft Height (from bottom of sole to top of shaft) 10" 10" 16" 10" 7"
Measured Weight (lb per pair, size 7) 2.75 2.5 2.5 2.75 2.375
Temp Drop in Ice Bath -14.9°F -4.1°F -9.5°F -9.7°F -3.8°F
Type of Boot All-around winter wear All-around winter wear Winter workwear Casual winter wear Winter hiking
Fit Details Runs big True to size Runs big True to size (wide) True to size, wide
Lining/Insulation 6 mm recycled felt liner Comfort-Fit multilayer foam Fleece Synthetic Heat-MX Insulation 200 grams KEEN.WARM Recycled PET
Removable Liner Yes Yes No No No
Footbed N/A EVA bioDEWIX Removal EVA EVA
Upper Material Waterproof nylon Suede leather Rubber Waterproof nylon Mesh and Leather
Toe Box Rubber Rubber Rubber Rubber Leather
Outsole Vulcanized rubber Polar Rubber Vibram Arctic Grip A.T. ICEKISS rubber outsole KEEN Polar Traction
Company Claimed Cold Weather Rating Not stated -40°C/-40°F Not stated -40 °F -32°C/-25°F
Animal Products No Yes No No Yes
Sizes Available 5 - 12 6 - 11 5 - 11 5 - 11 5 - 12

Our Analysis and Test Results

We took the Winter Carnival all over Lake Tahoe, from river paths to post-storm hikes, to test the boot's performance in fluctuating winter weather conditions. We found it a comfortable option to spend the day in, and we maintained warmth when moving around. However, our field tests exposed issues with the upper being too flexible and thin to provide structure on uneven and slippery surfaces. The outsole traction is commendable on flat surfaces, but the wave pattern had us slipping around when trudging up snowy slopes. Additionally, exposed areas in the collar region allow snow to sneak inside, ultimately limiting the boot's insulation capabilities.

Performance Comparison


sorel winter carnival - we consider the winter carnival to be a good adventure boot but not...
We consider the Winter Carnival to be a good adventure boot but not an exceptional one. It falls short on traction, sturdiness, and overall weather protection.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain


Warmth


The Winter Carnival had mixed results for this category. We anticipated that it might not live up to other Sorel boots, but frankly, it felt equally as warm when moving around outdoors. The Carnival's removable 6mm felt liner is thinner than the Caribou's 9mm liner, as is the nylon upper. While this didn't make a massive difference during activities, we did notice a difference in the boot's capability to retain warmth while stationary. After 1-2 hours of minimal to no movement, we began to feel our feet get colder and colder.

sorel winter carnival - the warmth capabilities of the winter carnival's 6mm liner was...
The warmth capabilities of the Winter Carnival's 6mm liner was noticeably different than its big sister, the Caribou.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

The Winter Carnival exterior construction is relatively thin for winter wear. Less material makes for a lighter weight boot, but it compromises heat retention. During our ice bath tests, this boot had the most significant internal heat loss of any model in our review, at -14.9 degrees F. We weren't necessarily surprised by this, though we were a little disappointed.

sorel winter carnival - the winter carnival is one of the few boots in our review with a...
The Winter Carnival is one of the few boots in our review with a removable liner. You can wash the liner after a season or two if you get sweaty or stinky feet.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

In the end, we would reach for this boot on the way to work or to quickly shovel snow. The black fur collar is a nice touch to retain some heat around the mid-calf region. It's fashionable and comfortable and looks good with pants and a puffy. Unfortunately, it's just not as warm or cozy as some fur-lined options.

Weather Protection


The Winter Carnival has a mid-high construction, with a shaft height of 8¼ inches with a ½ inch of platform height in the sole. This boot is one of the taller in our lineup, offering great coverage over pants or leggings. However, we don't love the tongue height. It reaches the top of the upper but does not extend past the nylon to cover the empty space between the fur collar. For those who can't tolerate the snow-in-the-pants feeling, this might bother you. That said, we frequently wore our favorite ski pants over leggings and didn't seem to catch too much snow in the exposed area.

sorel winter carnival - we weren't as impressed with the winter carnival's collar. despite...
We weren't as impressed with the Winter Carnival's collar. Despite having a comfy faux fur outline, it doesn't do the best job of keeping snow out of the top of the boot due to the open space.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

The waterproof nylon exterior maintains weather protection, shedding excess snow with ease. The boot wicks away water from rain and puddle splashes, though we wouldn't recommend walking into rivers or using this as a rain boot. When tightened, the tongue and laces have a rather sloppy fit, limiting the boot's overall ability to protect from water entering through the front. Despite the boot's limited waterproofing capabilities, it does provide great coverage during snow-related activities.

Comfort and Fit


Comfort and fit for the Winter Carnival is good, though it didn't exceed our expectations or stand out from some of the other products in this review. It's a comfortable work boot that can maintain the warmth while moving back and forth from indoors to outdoors. The felt liner is easy to slip into, and the flexible nature of the exterior makes it comfortable for long periods.

The fit is not perfect on this boot, but it works. It's a bit too spacious for narrow feet, though thicker socks help fill out the extra room in the heel and underfoot. Luckily, the laces cinch down tight enough to keep you securely strapped in. However, the versatility of the boot is limited by the flexibility of the upper. The shaft is strong enough, but it is not supported by another stiff material to add structure. Paired with limited traction on the outsole, there is a higher probability of slipping and twisting an ankle on slippery slopes, rendering this a better choice for more urban locales.

sorel winter carnival - the winter carnival collar is super cozy and will keep you warm all...
The Winter Carnival collar is super cozy and will keep you warm all the way up to the calf.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

Traction


The wave construction on the sole of the Winter Carnival proved to be a lesser-performing design than the protruding lugs of some of the burlier winter boots we tested. The wave is a good pattern for wet surfaces but is not capable of gripping snow. We found ourselves slipping backward or to the side when walking uphill in ankle-high snow. While the traction is better on flat surfaces, it still didn't impress us. Lugs are completely necessary for traction on snowy inclines and declines.

sorel winter carnival - the carnival (right) lost points in in the traction category due to...
The Carnival (right) lost points in in the traction category due to the wave patterned sole. We noticed we were slipping around more frequently than when wearing the Caribou (left) with thick lugs.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

Durability


The Winter Carnival performed well throughout our entire testing period, but we feel that multiple seasons may prove to break this boot down with heavy use. Nylon is not the most durable material compared to leather and suede regarding longevity. However, waterproofing treatments will help protect the boot from scuffing, scratching, and tearing. The rip-stop style interior is tough for abrasion resistance and is often seen in outdoor goods like camping gear and bike bags.

sorel winter carnival - the waxed canvas on the winter carnival is not as indestructible as...
The waxed canvas on the Winter Carnival is not as indestructible as some of the other leather and suede exteriors. However, it is far lighter than some of the sturdier boot options.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

Should You Buy the Sorel Winter Carnival?


Unfortunately, the Carnival did not quite do it for us. We like the look, the lightweight nylon, and the removable felt liner. Still, its performance capabilities were limited, and it wasn't versatile enough for us to use outside of low-output activities. If you need a burlier boot that is reliable and keeps you upright in the most slippery circumstances, you may lean towards Sorel's heftier winter boot, the Caribou. We genuinely like this fashionable snow boot, but we can't quite justify the price tag based on its performance out in the field. Compared to other boots in this review, you can spend a little bit more for higher quality and functionality. We like that the Carnival is on the lighter side of snow boots in our lineup. Still, other options aren't much bulkier and have greater traction, weatherproofing, and durability.

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?


Sorel is a mainstay in boots for some folks and with good reason, but that doesn't mean it does everything well. We prefer the Sorel Caribou over the Carnival and think most outdoor ladies will as well. Additionally, we believe the UGG Adirondack III tops them both as a great all-around boot that is good for shorter hikes, chores outdoors, and comfortable fun for snowy activities.

Liz Chamberlain