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Reviews > Footwear > Camp Shoes > Baffin Cush Base Camp Booties > Test Report by Gail StaisilBaffinBase Camp Booties Test Series by: Gail Staisil, Marquette, Michigan Page Contents: Initial Report:  January 9, 2012 Tester Information Name: Gail Staisil Age: 59 Gender: Female Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) Weight: 152 lb (69 kg) Location: Marquette, Michigan USA Email: woodswoman 2001 AT yahoo DOT com Product Information
Initial Impressions and Product Description  The Baffin Base Camp Booties arrived with perfect workmanship. I received them in the requested color of black. They were encased in a simple black mesh bag that can be used for storage. The Base Camp Booties are the most extreme of the Cush Series of footware offered by the manufacturer. The series consists of three types of insulated booties. These are the tallest of the bunch with the above ankle height being approximately 9.5 in (24 cm) from top to bottom. As a winter camping advocate, my first impression was overwhelmingly positive. Not only did the Base Camp Booties look comfortable and warm but the insulation was very thick and the soles have a non-slip surface. Two toggles one of which would cinch the top edge and the other would custom fit the bootie to my ankle and heel. The manufacturer targets the booties for "occasional use outside as well as in". Almost as soon as I received them I tried them on. The Unisex sizing was right on as the XL was equivalent to a Women's size 11. I normally wear a 10.5 or 11 US (42.5/43 EU) shoe. Design and Technical Features The external surface of the booties are fabricated with three different types of nylon material. The main body seems to be a soft light weight nylon and the bottom rand and heel area are designed with a heavier and stiffer type of nylon. Each bootie is topped with a wide insert of a third type of nylon that forms a casing to hold the drawstring to cinch off the top. The elasticized draw cord is drawn through a suede fabric patch that reinforces that immediate area where the drawcord comes through. This patch is on the lateral side of each casing. Grosgrain ribbon runs around the top of each heel and then turns 90 degrees or runs diagonally to the front center of each bootie. The ribbon is stitched on each edge and also forms a casing for an elasticized cord. That cord can be cinched by the means of a toggle on the front center   I'm not sure what the insulation is but there is plenty of it. I would guess that it is a synthetic type rather than down as I can feel a big layer of bonded insulation between the outer and inner nylon. The insulation is further held in place by symmetrical rows of stitching on the surface over the top of each bootie. The internal surface of the booties are also nylon except for the non-removable insoles that appears to be made out of a Sherpa-type fleece. The outside of each booties has a "Baffin Polar Proven" lettering and symbol in gray and red embroidery. I haven't found any care instructions for the booties on either the website or catalog. Based on the materials used it seems that they might be easy to care for.  The slip resistant micro-grip soles have tons of raised grippers in the form of printed "Polar Proven" lettering. Reportedly they provide traction on any surface. I've already worn the booties on a four day trip with excellent results walking on snow. Additional findings during that trip will be in the field report. I am way more than excited about testing the Baffin Base Camp Booties. I have always worn a similar type of bootie inside of my sleeping bag as well as walking in packed snow around camp. Can't wait to get further experience these in colder conditions. Top of Page Field Report: March 15, 2012 USA Locations and Conditions During the field test period I have worn the Baffin Base Camp Booties during four trips. They included a three-day sledge trip, a four-day sledge trip and two different four-day hike-in rustic cabin trips. That totals 17 days in the field. I have also worn them extensively at home. Location of the backcountry trips were in Michigan and ranged from hilly deciduous forest to open non-deciduous communities. Elevation ranged from 600 ft (183 m) to almost 2000 ft (610 m). Early January Rustic Cabin Trip Location: Hiawatha National Forest Type of Trip: Trail and bushwhack including some lake travel Distance: 17 mi (27 km) Length of Trip: 4 days/3 nights Pack Weight: Sledge approx. 60 lb (27 kg) including fresh consumables Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy with snow Precipitation: at least 14 in (36 cm) of new snow Temperature Range: 17 F to 37 F (-8 C to 3 C) January Sledge Trip  Location: Lake Superior State Forest, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Type of Trip: Bushwhack Distance: Approx 17 mi (27 km) Length of Trip: 3 days/2 nights Sledge Weight: Approx. 45 lb (20.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy with peeks of sun Precipitation: Trace of snow Temperature Range: -6 F to 27 F (-21 C to -3 C) Early February Rustic Cabin Trip Location: Hiawatha National Forest, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Type of Trip: Trail and bushwhack including some lake travel Distance: Approx. 14 mi (22.5 km) Length of Trip: 4 days/3 nights Sledge Weight: Sledge approx. 60 lb (27 kg) including fresh consumables Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly sunny and cloudy Precipitation: Trace of snow Temperature Range: 10 F to 39 F (-12 C to 4 C) Late February SledgeTrip Location: Hiawatha National Forest, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Type of Trip: Trail and bushwhack Distance: Approx. 15 mi (23 km) Length of Trip: 4 days/3 nights Sledge Weight: Sledge approx. 45 lb (20.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy with new snow Precipitation: Approx 6 in (15 cm) of snow Temperature Range: 9 F to 34 F (-13 C to 1 C) Performance in the Field  The Baffin Base Camp Booties really got a workout during the field test period. During my January sledge trip the Booties were worn all hours at camp as well as inside my sleeping bag during the night hours. The lowest temperature on this trip was -6 F (-21 C). My feet were comfortable the whole time! What really strikes me about the booties is how well they fit. I have had other winter booties that simply didn't have enough shape to them so I felt like I had no lateral support when I walked on uneven snow surfaces. That resulted in my feet sometimes rotating to the side of the booties and consequently slipping or stumbling. The Base Camp Booties have a wonderful fit system so they can be adjusted not only around the circumference but also to hug the heel on each foot. This allows an individualized fit. The grippers on the soles of the booties are outstanding. I have never even come close to slipping on all kinds of snow and icy surfaces. During my February sledge trip I had equal results. My feet stayed toasty with temps down to 9 F (-13 C) During my two rustic cabin trips I wore the booties all hours other than those spent snowshoeing or skiing. This includes all inside hours plus all outside the cabin excursions to the outhouse, wood pile and more. During these trips the snow around the cabin was highly compacted and boilerplate icy. Even though I was naturally cautious I found them to grip exceedingly well. While my friends were having problems with their boots slipping in this area, I had no issues with my booties! At home I have worn the booties inside my home especially during trips to my much cooler basement where I have my ski waxing station. I have also worn them outside to collect the mail and do some quick shoveling. All surfaces were snow covered for the latter. I was initially concerned that the Sherpa lining inside the booties would ice up when faced with cold conditions. I had no issues with them during the sledge trips. During inside usage, the Sherpa lining is cozy and I haven't felt the need to remove the booties because my feet were too hot as the lining has stayed comfortably warm but not hot. On all of my trips I stashed the booties in a silnylon bag inside my sledge while moving to the next camp site (or cabin). Even though they came with a mesh bag for storage I didn't want them to be exposed to the possibility of getting soaked from the elements. That said all my outside usage of the booties has resulted in my feet staying completely dry while at camp. I haven't felt the need to clean the booties. There are no instructions to be found on the website or with the product. BGT's Administrator Kathy found out from the manufacturer that the instructions should be to hand wash with mild soap and water. Lay them flat to dry. I am thankful for the information as my inclination would have been to machine wash them like I have done with other brands. I feel this information should be added to a tag inside the booties by the manufacturer. So far the booties look almost as good as new. I have noticed a few spots around the perimeter that are slightly frayed or fuzzy but that seems normal. I have also noted a few of the printed grippers are flaking off but again I don't feel that it's a big concern at this point. So far the booties are exceeding my expectations and I couldn't be more happy! Pros
Tester Remarks Thanks to Baffin and BackpackGearTest.org for this opportunity to test the Base Camp Booties. Please check back in two months for my final report of this series. Top of Page Read more reviews of Baffin gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Footwear > Camp Shoes > Baffin Cush Base Camp Booties > Test Report by Gail Staisil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||