Do you fat bike, hike in the snow, maybe snowshoe? The Baffin Borealis boots are the boots you have been looking for. These boots have ended years of numb feet on the bike for me.
I had been looking for a light boot for fat biking and hiking that would still keep my feet warm while also be able to use a pair of gaiters. I just assumed I would not find anything that fit that criteria. Oh was I wrong… The Baffin Borealis is an amazing boot.
What makes the Baffin’s so great is a double boot design with a twist. Normally a double boot is a stiff clunky affair that tears your feet up and traps them in a wet mess. But these use a softer Polar Rubber shell with an Ultralite removable insole.
The liner is a cocoon of warm insulation that keeps out water and keeps in warmth, they are rated to -22°F! I have had them out on days below zero hiking without my toes going numb. Which is was never a possibility before.
The sole is aggressive, really aggressive. Most snow boots for some reason have a low profile sole, which makes no sense to me, these do not have that problem. I have hiked on crusty icy snow and hard pack and not had a problem.
I have gone on fat bike rides in single digit temps with howling wind and dumping snow for hours and not had cold toes. That is nothing short of a miracle to me.
The insoles are removable so if you are backpacking you could sleep in them to dry them out and keep your feet warm in the tent.
I knew the Baffin Borealis would be a great boot since I had picked up a pair of Baffin Shackleton boots a few years ago. The Shackleton’s have been great and still show no signs of wear. One day this winter I wore them while snow blowing and shoveling for 8 hours after a huge storm. I never had cold feet that day! But the Shackleton is a big boot and a bit heavy for all day riding or hiking. That is where the Borealis shine, they are super warm and comfortable while not being too big.
If you need a boot for cold days out in the mountains definitely pick a pair of a Baffin Borealis boots. They are really the best boot I have EVER used for fat biking and I have tried so many. Do yourself a favor and get these boots.
Baffin Says: http://www.baffin.com/product-p/wicrm001.htm
- Temperature Rating: 5C/41F to -30C/-22F
Liner: Removable & Wearable. Body-heat foldable Ultralite System with a removable insole Base: Dual-density midsole combines AirGrip Midsole with stronger, stabilizing upper-midsole Polar Rubber outsole Front-lace fastening Over-ankle supportive height Completely Waterproof