Columbia acquired the Sorel footwear brand in 2000. The purchase expanded Columbia’s footwear business with a label known especially for durable winter boots and cold-weather footwear.
Sorel began in Canada and became associated with rugged boots designed for harsh winter conditions. Columbia’s ownership gave the brand access to a larger international organization, including broader product development, distribution, and retail reach. Sorel remains a distinct brand rather than simply being folded into Columbia footwear.
The acquisition fit Columbia’s strategy of building a broader outdoor product portfolio. Columbia had already grown beyond its original focus on hats and outdoor clothing into footwear and accessories, and Sorel added strong expertise in winter boots. The brand’s products are often recognized by their combination of leather, textile, and waterproof construction with substantial insulating materials.
Montrail is an easy distractor because Columbia acquired that outdoor footwear brand later, in 2006. Merrell and Keen were not the footwear brand Columbia acquired in 2000. The correct historical association is Sorel, whose trademark Columbia bought after Kaufman Footwear’s bankruptcy in 2000.