Sorel's and Crampons

I usually snowshoe in my hiking boots with OR Chrocodile gaiters and an estra pair of socks. But from what I have been reading, hiking boots are not advised for a multiday trip into the backcountry. Before investing in a pair of Sorels, I need to know if they can accomodate full crampons as some of the routes I encounter may have steep ice.

In most cases, yes - I have had 3 pairs over the years and all have fit my Sorel Pac boots as well as my plastic double boots. Keeping in mind that they must be adjusted when switching boots. (Most crampons are adjustable) Also, you prolly don't want rigid crampons with sorels.
Having hiked my first winter many years ago in leahter hiking boots, I can tell you how miserable it is when the boots get wet and then freeze (make sure the leather boots are wide open when you take them off, so they freeze open and not closed. Most don't make this mistake more than once. You can bring them into your sleeping bag with you (in a plastic bag) but it does make it rather cramped.

If you already have crampons, take them to the store with you. If not, go to an outdoor store that sells both, to see what you think. The only things you may have problems with are the smaller ice creepers, that never really seem to fit anything well.
Good Luck
Rick

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I usually snowshoe in my hiking boots with OR Chrocodile gaiters and an estra pair of socks. But from what I have been reading, hiking boots are not advised for a multiday trip into the backcountry. Before investing in a pair of Sorels, I need to know if they can accomodate full crampons as some of the routes I encounter may have steep ice.

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...from what I have been reading, hiking boots are not advised for a multiday trip into the backcountry.

Where did you read this? Long before I ever got a pair of Sorels (on a trip to Canada, on a really cheap sale), I was heading into the backcountry on multi-day trips in the snow on snowshoes and skis, or just postholing (talk about the pain!), using hiking boots. Most people heading into the backcountry in snow conditions use hiking or climbing boots (or ski boots, if they are going on skis), mostly either leather or nowdays, plastics. I don't know how many miles/kilometers you are planning to do, but I have observed many people with Sorels and similar pacboots with blisters after just a few miles of hiking, snowshoes or not. The blister rate with hiking boots is much lower. And by the way, to anticipate a comment from a certain poster, since I have been taking groups into the backcountry for many decades, I do have personal experience (not with the blisters, but observing them on other people). Some things about the hiking boots, though. They should be leather or plastic, no fabric. If leather, they should be properly waterproofed. Goretex helps with keeping the inside dry, but doesn't help the leather. The leather has to be treated (follow the manufacturer's recommendations, not the store clerk's). It would be better if they were double boots for winter, but a good medium-to-heavy hiking boot is just fine. You might look for super-gaiters. These will keep the leather dry, and partly avoid the freezing problem. Part of the freezing problem comes from your foot's perspiration getting into the lining and leather of the boot, so consider VBL socks (learn how to use them properly before a multi-day trek.

By the way, the freezing problem applies to Sorels as well as leather hiking boots. Remember that many Sorel models have leather uppers, above the rubber bottoms, and the others have fabric uppers, which get moisture in them. The felt liners will absorb your foot perspiration and freeze if you leave them out overnight (but are easier to put into your sleeping bag than hiking boots).

As for the crampons, I am not sure what type of crampons Rick is referring to, but Sorels do not work for steep ice. Crampons suitable for ice climbing will not fit on Sorels, for one thing. And if you get strap-ons that are wide enough to put on the Sorels, your foot will slop around enough in the Sorels to give you problems on steep ice. You can get the type of crampon used on snowshoes that will fit Sorels - Atlas, for one, sells these. But these are not for steep ice. Of course, what do you mean by steep ice? If you are talking about ice up to, say, 45 degrees, the snowshoe type of crampon is adequate. But steeper than that, you need real crampons, and that means hiking or climbing boots.

Manufacturers are coming up with double boots that are better than the typical felt-lined Sorels. They're more streamlined, better-fitting, and made of lighter newer materials. That's the case with the Sorel Quests I mentioned in an earlier post. All I needed to do to make them perfect for me was to put some Superfeet footbeds in them. The line between pac-boots and hiking boots is narrowing.

I have a pair of Sorel Snowbears and I've worn them with SMC hinged 12-point crampons, the kind with the old rubber straps. The straps actually did a nice job of keeping my feet from sliding around in the boots. I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing crampons with the newer step-in bindings wouldn't work with Sorels.

Though I liked the warmth of the Sorels, the weight and the loose fit spurred me to switch back to hiking boots for the rougher winter hikes. They hold the crampons well and give great support. I wear a couple pairs of sock and Goretex liners. I've found the liners to be crucial for foot warmth. I haven't had any problems since I started using them.

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I usually snowshoe in my hiking boots with OR Chrocodile gaiters and an estra pair of socks. But from what I have been reading, hiking boots are not advised for a multiday trip into the backcountry. Before investing in a pair of Sorels, I need to know if they can accomodate full crampons as some of the routes I encounter may have steep ice.

I ended up finding a pair of Vasque Arctic's, insulated boots that are crampon compatible, at Sierra Trading Post for 59$ plus shipping.