Initial Report: Baffin Extreme Climate Boots – Impact Series

My e-mail: bpskids@charter.net
My name: Jodi Cornelius
My Age: 41
Height: 5’4”/1.6 m
Weight: 160 lbs/73 kg
Gender: Female
City: Derrick City
State: PA
Country: USA
Date: January 4, 2004
My area of the country: Northwest Pennsylvania near the Allegheny Mountains

Product Information:

Manufacturer:  Baffin Technology http://www.baffin.com
Year of Manufacture:  2003
Listed weight: N/A
Weight as delivered: 3 lb/1.4 kg per boot – 6 lb/2.7 kg per pair
Size: Men’s 7/Women's 7.5 to 8 depending on cut of shoe - I usually wear a 6 in Men's but figgered I could wear the 7 with extra socks.
MSRP: $134.99 USD

Features from the Website:

Impact 9850-972 from the Extreme Series
"Extreme Climate" inner boot system and GelFlex shock-absorbing technology.
Easy adjust low temperature double-buckle closure system for better fit.
Winterproof insulated upper and locking snow collar for deep snow protection.

Test Plan:

I will wear them on day hikes in the wooded area behind my house and some jaunts I am planning in the Allegheny National Forest.  The terrain for these hikes range from easy jaunts to moderately difficult up and downs which would allow me to test them in all kinds of conditions.

Weather conditions:  Winter, the temps range from around -10 F (-23 C) to 20 F (-7 C).  We get snow just about every day depending on the winter.  We usually have at least 3 feet and many times we have much more.  Snow ranges from a heavy dense snow to a light powdery snow.

1 – Comfort – Do they keep my feet warm even in deep snow?  How well do they keep my feet dry when wading through heavy, wet snow?  How long can I stand in a single spot without feeling the cold?  Do they let my feet breathe?  Do they make my feet sweat?  Do I need to wear a liner sock or can I wear my normal wool socks?

2 – Traction - What kind of traction do they provide?  Are they stable on hard crusted snow?  Ice?

3 – Durability – how well do they “thaw” out if they do get wet?  Does it take a long time to dry?  Do they survive multiple dry-outs without cracking?

4 – Miscellaneous – How well do the buckles work when crusted with ice and snow?  How durable are the buckles?  Does the snow collar keep the snow out of my boot when wading in deep snow?  How does the snow collar lock to keep the snow out?

First impression: 

The boots came via Fed Ex.  I have to admit I was a bit worried when I received a phone call from Baffin Boots requesting my Social Security Number because they were being shipped from Canada.  After giving it without hesitation and ending the phone call, I started wondering about WHY they would need my Social Security Number and fearing I had become a victim of identity theft.  However, my fears proved ungrounded as the boots arrived shortly after that and sure enough, they’d needed it to get the boots through customs coming into the States.

Naturally, being the exuberant person that I am, I dang near tackled the Fed Ex driver when he brought my boots to the shop where I work.  I eagerly opened the box and there, in all their glory, were these beautiful black boots.  Admittedly, I was a wee bit concerned about the fit since these are men’s boots and size 7 were the smallest they had and sometimes a man’s 7 is too large for me.  I figured, however, that what I would do if they did end up being a tad large was just wear an extra pair of socks.  Imagine my extreme pleasures when I slipped on the boots and found that not only were they not too big, they fit my foot perfectly!  It was then I looked at the box and the size posted on there that I discovered a pleasing fact about Baffin boots.  Their widths go as far down as AAA in width and that was what they sent me.  I was wearing my normal boot socks when I tried on the boots and the fit was perfect.  I couldn’t wait to try them out.  I wore them on the way home that night as the temperatures had fallen and snow was coming down.  I was again pleasantly surprised to find that not only did they keep my feet warm, but my feet had not sweated at all even though the boots are rated to -148 F/-100 C.

The boots came in a box with some tags attached explaining how the boots worked along with a sample/cross cut of the materials used in the insert.  The insert comes out with some difficulty (which is normal with these types of boots and is not a problem) and goes back in best when you have it on your foot.  There are 2 straps that go around the boot on the calf that are used to tighten the boot top to the calf to keep air out.  There is also a cinch top with a locking spring loaded clamp to keep the top cinched tight to the pant.  The boots come up to just below my knee.  The boots are constructed with a vinyl outer layer layer and a rubber bottom from the top of the foot down.

Things I like: The fit, they are extremely comfortable.
 
Things I dislike:  Nothing yet.

My Background:  Have been car camping since I was small.  Started backpacking over 2 years ago and was a heavyweight hiker until I was introduced to the joys of lightweight hiking.  I am not a lightweight hiker yet but have made giant strides to becoming one.  I am usually a 3-season hiker but have decided to give a go at winter hikes.