Sorel Caribou Women's Boot vs Columbia Red Hills Omni-Heat Snow Boot

The Caribou is the heavier, tougher boot: a seam-sealed nubuck upper, a handcrafted vulcanized rubber shell and a removable 9 mm felt liner, built for deep snow and slush. The Red Hills is the lighter, more flexible everyday snow boot, with Omni-Tech waterproofing, 200 g insulation and a reflective Omni-Heat lining. Owners of the Caribou report real durability problems, cracked rubber at the heel and bunched insoles, so its long-term record is uneven. The Red Hills draws steadier praise for warmth and dryness, but it runs small and narrow.

• Choose the Sorel Caribou if you face deep snow, need a tall 9-inch shaft and a rubber shell that shrugs off slush, and you want a removable liner you can dry.
• Choose the Columbia Red Hills if you want a lighter, easier-walking boot for cold commutes and casual winter wear, and you will size up for the narrow fit.