For Him: SOREL Explorer Boot Dual Zip 

Reviewed by Mike Franz 

Despite living in Michigan, I have never considered purchasing a pair of winter boots since I became a wheelchair user. Boots are too difficult to put on and, honestly, I never thought boots were necessary since I am not walking through the snow. However, the new SOREL Explorer Boot Dual Zip has changed my mind about the practicality of wearing winter boots. 

The Explorer Boot Dual Zip is a new adaptive waterproof boot developed through a collaboration between SOREL and Zappos Adaptive. The boots feature zippers on each side of the lower leg, allowing the wearer or a caregiver to open them wide, making inserting the foot easier. There is also an enlarged loop on the heel to make pulling up the boots easier, and removable insoles to accommodate orthotics. 

As a C5-6 quad, I do not have the function to put the boots on independently, but my caregiver was able to put them on me easily. The boots open so wide that it’s like putting on a regular shoe. I had two main concerns when trying out the boots. First, I have difficulty keeping my toes straight when putting shoes on and this has caused me problems with pressure points before. It was difficult to keep my toes straight when putting these boots on, but the toe box is deep enough that even with my toes curled, there was no pressure on them. My other concern was added pressure around my ankles and lower shins, as I have never worn a boot this tall since being injured. Fortunately, the boots are roomy enough to avoid any of these problems. 

The SOREL Explorer Boot Dual Zip is worth checking out if you live in a cold and snowy climate. They look good, are relatively easy to put on, and the skin issues that I feared never materialized. Of course, if you have problems with skin breakdown on your feet, it is worth being cautious.  

The SOREL Explorer Boot Dual Zip is available from Zappos Adaptive for $139.99. 

For Her: SOREL Explorer II Joan Dual Zip 

Reviewed by Jenny Smith 

With the Explorer II Joan Dual Zip boots, SOREL Adaptive has accepted the challenge of blending style and functionality in a high-end winter boot. The new boots are both fashionable and waterproof — nothing about the boots screams “adaptive.” As a wheelchair user, my feet often take the brunt of the rain or snow, so having a warm, attractive option that is easy to wear and doesn’t cause any skin issues would be great. 

The Explorer II’s dual zippers allow me to slide my foot into the boot fairly easily, and the boot opens wide enough that I shouldn’t need to lace the shoes each time I wear them. That’s a good thing, but the laces come undone very easily. I’m thinking of replacing them with laces that don’t come unlaced at the brush of my pants.  

I did find the zipper difficult to pull. It stuck multiple times, and the leather curves in odd directions, making it even more difficult. Theoretically, the leather zipper-pull is large enough to use as a thumb loop. Since I have no finger function, I placed my thumb in the loop and pulled. And pulled. But as I tugged, two of the four zipper-pulls broke. I did manage to get the zipper up with an adaptive device.  

Once on, the boots fit tightly at my ankle, even though I sized up. Unfortunately, the boots aren’t available in wide. Since my feet swell throughout the day, I had concerns about skin breakdown, but I had no sign of redness either evening after wearing them. 

As a quad, I’m not sure the issues with the zippers are going to be worth the fight. But as with all shoes, I think time will help break them in and make them easier to put on. The dual zippers, fashionable design, and the fact the boots are both warm and waterproof are all positives. Are the design and style enough to make me want to struggle with the zippers each day? Enough to purchase new zipper-pulls and laces in addition to the $140 price tag?  

Time will tell.