On everything from ice and hard-packed snow to rock, we found that the Joan of Arctic provided middle-of-the-pack (average) traction. When choosing which winter boot to wear while shoveling two feet of snow off our roof, it was a simple choice: the more streamlined and simple TNF Shellista won out, hands down. With the Joan of Arctic, we found that the suede build, thick laces, and excessive fur cuff grow heavy with moisture or snow, and the clunky build does not fit under pants or a gaiter. In short, for severe weather or the backcountry, we prefer function over form. In these conditions, our boot of choice would sluff off moisture, fit under a snow pant leg or a gaiter, and be streamlined enough to get us from point A to point B quickly and comfortably. On the other hand, this boot is not our first choice for particularly wet weather or deep snow-it simply has too many bells and whistles to make it a great severe-weather option. Add all of these factors together, and the Joan of Arctic provides a great deal of assurance that your feet will stay dry, even when wading through deep puddles and wet snow.

Furthermore, the tongue is gusseted right up to the top of the lacing, meaning that there is no means for water to enter the boot unless it comes in through the top. The leather and suede upper is fully waterproof and features taped seams, and the rubber outsole and shell deftly keep out moisture. On one hand, its height and design combine for a boot that offers a large amount of coverage. In terms of waterproofing, the Sorel Joan of Arctic is a mixed bag. We definitely appreciated the mid-calf coverage of the Sorel, which offered noticeably more insulation up the leg than a shorter boot like the UGG Adirondack III. It goes without saying that all else being equal, a taller boot will be a warmer boot. One positive design feature with the Joan of Arctic, however, is its generous 12-inch-tall build. As a result, we experienced a noticeable loss of heat through the bottoms of our feet while standing or walking on snow. Furthermore, the removable liner directly abuts the boot’s midsole with no foam insole to help insulate the foot from the ground (Sorel advertises the Joan of Arctic as having a 2.5-mm bonded felt frost plug in the midsole, but we couldn't feel any discernible barrier). In fact, this design actually can allow more air (read: cold air) to come between the liner and the upper than an integrated design. However, it’s important not to confuse this removable liner with added warmth-nothing about it aids in increasing the insulating abilities of the boot. The bottom line: the Joan of Arctic should be fine for everyday use in moderate winter conditions, but it's not built for extended jaunts in frigid weather.Īmong casual winter boots, the Joan of Arctic does stand apart with its removable liner, allowing you to dry the boot out quickly at the end of the day. Not only do most manufacturers tend to be generous, your foot’s warmth depends as heavily on external factors (your circulation and how hot or cold you run, sock choice, level of activity, etc.) as it does on the boot’s insulating abilities. It's worth noting that Sorel lists a -25-degree Fahrenheit temperature rating here, although we rarely find these ratings to be accurate. Even compared to other casual winter boots (we went for a snowy walk with the Sorel on one foot and The North Face Shellista on the other), the Joan of Arctic is limited in terms of insulation.

In temperatures below freezing, we consistently experienced cold feet. On paper, the 6-millimeter felt liner and generous supply of fur along the cuff look incredibly warm. The Sorel Joan of Arctic has a waterproof suede upper and removable inner boot. To see how the Sorel Joan of Arctic stacks up, see our article on the best women's winter boots. But does the Joan of Arctic match function with fashion? After testing the boot during a particularly cold and snowy winter in Bend, Oregon, it worked fine for everyday use but has limitations for anything more than walking around town.

With a suede upper, faux-fur cuff, rubber shell, and herringbone sole, it's both extremely popular and easy to pick out in a crowd. Sorel’s Joan of Arctic is the quintessential women's winter boot.

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