Sorel is kicking off the fall season with a new shoe collaboration with Japanese brand Needles.

The new two-piece collection sees the introduction of the Sorel x Needles Ambler Waterproof Clog and Chukka Waterproof Boot. The Ambler silhouette, which is inspired by Sorel’s signature Caribou boot, comes to life in the slip-on clog version as a streamlined waterproof mule that blends in Needles’ signature purple with premium leather.

As for the Chukka Waterproof Boot, it features a full-grain, soft nubuck leather upper with subtle leather vamp stands out in Needles’ signature purple colorway.

The release also comes just months after Sorel named a new president. In June, the Columbia Sportswear Company-owned outdoor brand said that former Allbirds chief executive officer Joe Vernachio had been hired as its new president. He succeeded Cory Long, who has served as president of Sorel since Nov. 2023.

Vernachio’s new role is a homecoming of sorts for the executive, who previously served as president of Columbia-owned outdoor apparel brand Mountain Hardwear for four years, prior to joining Allbirds in 2021 as the company’s chief operating officer. He was later elevated to CEO of Allbirds in March 2024.

Prior to his time at Mountain Hardwear, he also spent seven years at VF Corp.’s The North Face brand as vice president of global product and served in other roles at Patagonia, Nike, Roots, Calvin Klein and Spyder.

In July, Columbia Sportswear Company said that net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 at Sorel declined 14 percent to $16.3 million, down from $18.8 million the same time last year.

Columbia Sportswear Company chairman and chief executive officer Tim Boyle told analysts during the company’s second quarter earnings call in July that Sorel’s performance in the period was driven largely by later wholesale shipment timing versus the prior year, which was partly offset by growth in direct-to-consumer e-com. The second quarter typically represents less than 10 percent of Sorel’s annual business, the CEO noted.

“We continue to anticipate a stronger fall ’26 season for Sorel with growth expected in both wholesale and DTC for the second half,” Boyle added.

The Sorel x Needles collection, which retails between $200 and $250, will be available starting Sept. 25.