Initial Report

Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
ljoATmidmaine(dot)com
Southwestern Maine
41 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lbs. (68 kg)

Company Information:

Baffin Incorporated
346 Arvin Avenue
Stoney Creek, ON Canada L8E 2M4
1-888-BAFFINS

Product Name: Impact, from the Extreme Series
Year of manufacture: 2003
URL: http://www.baffin.com
Size: Men's 8
Weight: (2.8 g)

Background:

      My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes, to 2-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father, when I was about 6 years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snow shoe, cross-country ski, go ice fishing and winter camp with friends and family. Although I am not an lightweight backpacker, I am trying to `lighten up' and even have converted to using a hammock while camping.

First Impressions:
    The boots arrived in a large, sturdy box with information about the construction of the boots, cold weather rating and a sample of the liner materials. This was a small, round, layered disc. See picture When the boots arrived, it was snowing out and I was anxious to try them out. I rushed to open the box and the boots looked huge! I was sure they were the wrong size. The box was labeled Size 8, so I tried them on and they are a comfortably snug fit. The boots feature a double buckle system for closing the boots and a 'snow collar' for keeping out snow. The snow collar locks with a clamp to fit snugly around my upper calf. The double buckle closure keeps the boots fitted to the leg, keeping out the cold. I went for a quick walk out in the snow and was surprised that they were very comfortable to walk in. I was sure they would cause a clumsy like feeling while walking, due to the bulkiness of the boots. They actually feel light in relationship to their size. The temperature was 34 F (1 C) After a 45 minute walk my feet were warm, but not overly hot. I noticed no perspiration.

Test Plan:

      During the test period, I will be participating in numerous backpacking, hiking, snowshoe and cross-country skiing trips. The trips will range from single day to four day trips. All will be in western Maine, and northern New Hampshire and Vermont. After the first of the year, ice fishing season begins, and I will spend many weekends walking on frozen lakes checking fish traps with my children.    Over the next 6 months our weather conditions will range from the current day temperatures of 20-30 F to -20 F (-6- 1 C to -29 C) with rain and snow. Most of my outings are done at elevations below 3000 ft. (914 M) on various types of terrain. Most hikes in this part of Maine include some rocky climbing.     These boots will get a work out, both while hiking and during other outdoor activities. My main test criteria would relate to comfort, warmth (without perspiration) and traction. Are the buckles easy to use with gloves or cold hands? Does the snow collar really keep out the snow? Can I climb with confidence? Walk on packed snow? As the snow melts, do my feet stay dry? I enjoy cold weather activities- but HATE cold and/or wet feet. If these boots live up to the advertisement on the web site, they would be worth their weight in gold!

Features as advertised on the web site:

*      "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.

*        Cold weather protection down to -148 F (-100 C)

*        Water resistancy

    Baffin claims the use of synthetic rubber increases abrasion resistance up to 125% over vulcanized rubber, that slip resistance and flexibility at extreme cold temperatures are also better and that synthetic rubber is also lighter. GelFlex is used to absorb shock, thus reducing fatigue and also serves as an insulator.
    The inner boot systems are designed to provide protection from extreme temperatures -148 F (-100 C) and 'moisture management'. The layers are designed to trap heat while wicking moisture away from the foot. Boots have water-proof seam sealed construction.

The boots fit the description on the website. I am anxious to continue testing these boots, our temperatures are dropping and the snow is piling up!

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Reviews > Footwear > Winter Boots > Baffin Extreme Series Boots > Leesa Joiner > Initial Report

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