The Sorel Slimpack is an upper boot with a low heel. This new riding boot is designed to be versatile as well. You can wear them with flats or a more formal wear if you go up in size.
The slimpack pattern is a way of customizing the boot by add-on or remove-ing small pieces. You can add or remove leather, hardware, and/or cozy fill material!
This riding boot has gained quite the cult following since it was released.
Contents:
Color
Gray is the main color in this boot. It can either be a soft gray or a strong gray, it does not matter because this boot works! There are some white, black, and red accents for this color scheme.
Color is a very important element to consider when buying a new pair of shoes. With enough color in your shoes, you will be able to enhance your wardrobe or add another style element!
When buying a new pair of shoes, it is important to look at the shape of the foot and how the shoe shapes that foot. For example, a thin-footed foot would benefit from a thick shoe or an overweight foot would benefit from a light shoe.
There are many sellers on Amazon that offer these slimpack riding boots in different colors. You can choose them instantly based on your budget!
These boots are also available in leather with textile lining, steel toe version, which has teeth on the bottom to prevent movement, and rubberized heel cushioning.
Leather
Shale is a classically styled leather. You can find it in many brightly colored shades, making it a versatile material. Shale is typically referred to as black or dark brown in color.
Shale has a slight grain that you can feel when touching. This is because it is densely packed with leather fibers. The more leather you have, the more grain there is. This is also how Sorel describes their leather- this is the slightly grainy texture that comes from being stretched and then re-stretched several times during manufacturing.
Because of this texture, people refer to shales as “grain shoes” or “feeder shoes” due to their designed purpose- those looking for a soft, comfortable shoe that will last are looking for these!
These shoes are perfect if you are always going somewhere new and want something easy to maintain shoe wise.
Synthetic leather
You will notice the first time you wear these boots that they are very easy to care for. You can wipe down the boot with a dry cloth or wipe with a shoehorn if need be.
You can also lightly dust them with fine sandpaper to remove any rough spots. This is especially helpful if you plan on wearing these boots in coal, rock, or natural terrain.
After using a shoehorn or dusting with sandpaper, you can roll up the top of the boot and snugly fasten it with zippers or zippered pockets. This is an easy way to store and protect the shoes until next use!
Like most boots, this one will need to be worn in to make sure it is sturdy enough to take your foot weight but soft enough not to hurt.
Upper
The upper of the Sorel Slimpack Riding Boot is comprised of a suede-like material that protects your feet from the rocky terrain you will be riding in. This material also helps to add some shape to the back of your foot, helping enhance comfort.
Another added benefit to this material is that it helps to retain heat well. Because it is suede-like, heat is retained better than other materials used in footwear. This is important, considering how hot riding boots can get!
We recommend only using wool or thermal undershirts on barefoot or light winter boots. The thermal undershirt allows you to keep the boot warm and prevents moisture from getting inside the boot. With heavy winter boots, we recommend using a thick sock instead of nothing to retain heat.
Lining
The lining in this boot is a durable Kevlar. This provides shock absorption and helps keep your feet warm. It also adds durability to the boot making it last you a long time.
Shale is a term used to describe this lining. It refers to it as a suede like surface that stretches and holds the shoe in place. This padding keeps your feet warm and comfortable as you ride all day!
Heavy fleece lined boots can make you look flustered or Thermal Protection put forth by those bulky pieces of material covering most of the foot! These often are expensive compared to less expensive leather-looked lined boots.
Sole
Most riding boots have a soft sole that is designed to be comfortable and soft against your foot. This sole can be made out of memory foam, cloth, or even resistant metal device.
However, some shoes do not have the sole. These shoes are calledWithout the sole, these shoes are considered Boots. These can be helpful for someone who needs a little more stability and support in their foot or person. These can also be helpful for anyone that wants a more casual look for their riding boots.
With this article being about help with buying riding boots, we are going to talk about some tips on how to get the best comfort out of your boot. First off we will talk about what materials they are made out of and whether or not they offer durability.
Size
The biggest complaint about standard slimpack riding boots is that they are too small. Because the heel is thinner and shorter, these boots are actually called slim pickens!
Most manufacturers suggest a size US size 11 or a European size 39. An American size 11 will be too small, and a European 39 will be too big. There’s no wrong or right size, it just depends on what you want out of your riding boots.
Many riders prefer the extra room of the Slimpack boot because it makes it easier to get a good fit. Some like the thicker heel height to help prop up their weight more comfortably, while others prefer the wider toe box to aid in foot flexibility when walking.
Since these shoes require regular washing, having enough space between buying new ones is going to be important.
Care
Despite their name, these riding boots are not very sorel-friendly. The outsole is made of a rock-hard shale, which is a kind of rock that can be walked on without a bootee.
Because of this material, these boots cannot be put on and taken off without a bit of work. You must shape the feet in the shoes to allow them to fit comfortably and remove any excess material before wearing them.
Since this requires quite some time to do, it is wise to do so at least two days before going out as you will need time to properly groom and prepare your feet. These shoes are not for anyone with very poor feet or who does not take care of them.
The sole of these shoes can get sharp if you are walking on very tight boots or if you are having trouble bending the foot into the shoe.