Sorel is a line of winter boots, currently a subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear. The boot has long been popular in Canada for its high quality and warmth. The Sorel line was introduced in 1959 by Kitchener, Ontario-based Kaufman Rubber Co. (later known as Kaufman Footwear), and became the world's best-selling cold weather boot. In the summer of 2000, Kaufman Footwear went bankrupt, and the Sorel trademark was bought by Columbia Sportswear. Following Columbia's purchase, the Sorel brand was expanded to other products, such as nylon outerwear and other work-related garmets. Prior to Kaufman's bankruptcy, Sorel boots were made only in Canada; today they are imported from China