Winter Backpacking Boots

[DayTrip]

I don't use them a lot, but I've gotten ten years out of my Impacts so far. Baffin makes solid stuff for cold. Sizing was odd, had to go up a few sizes from usual, but oh so warm! Hope those Borealis work out for you.

I agree. I bought a pair of hard core Baffin boots a few years ago (forget the model). They are insanely warm and comfortable but too soft of a boot for hiking in my opinion, especially on side hills. And they have a huge exterior that is tight on pant legs, stretching spikes on, etc. Converted them to my yard work/shoveling boots.

When I first got them I went on a test hike in NW CT. It was fairly warm (maybe 30 deg F) so I stood in a brook with water about half way up the shin part before the cuff. I stood there for 30-40 seconds and did not notice any temperature change whatsoever in my foot. Might as well have been standing in my living room. That was pretty impressive.

 

[ImYourHuckleberry]

If it's a hard day hike, I may not wear insulated boots at all, just my regular Salomon's with a wool liner sock in addition to regular sock. Did Osceola's last winter and it never got above 10° and I was fine. To be fair, a little cold when we got back to the car (our beer was freezing while we drank it, pretty cold!).

My "winter" boots are Asolo Tahoe, pretty light insulation (GoreTex insulated liner, prob equivalent to 200g). When I get into camp I put a full-foot heat liner in and fresh socks. They go in a plastic bag in sleeping bag with me at night. I've only used a couple times and never all that cold but they were warm and are less "spongy" than some winter boots. If I was climbing Washington, I rent plastic boots.

Yes I've been mostly using trail runners with a goretex sock over a medium weight merino wool sock for day hikes, and carrying a pair of down booties as insurance (along with a summer weight down bag and lightweight bivy just in case). But some days that feels like it's really pushing it, even with the extra insurance.

I've thought about getting a pair of super gaiters for the trail runners, but decided I might as well just get an insulated boot.

 

[ImYourHuckleberry]

Should be an interesting comparison. Let us know how you make out. I see the Merrell has 200 grams of insulation but cannot find the spec for the Baffin.

Yeah I cannot find the insulation spec on the Baffin either. Also kind of weird, but Baffin reports a pair of size 10 at 4.5 pounds while multiple reviews and forum comments have them (in that size) at 3 pounds or under.

 

[Lone Stranger]

I agree. I bought a pair of hard core Baffin boots a few years ago (forget the model). They are insanely warm and comfortable but too soft of a boot for hiking in my opinion, especially on side hills. And they have a huge exterior that is tight on pant legs, stretching spikes on, etc. Converted them to my yard work/shoveling boots.

When I first got them I went on a test hike in NW CT. It was fairly warm (maybe 30 deg F) so I stood in a brook with water about half way up the shin part before the cuff. I stood there for 30-40 seconds and did not notice any temperature change whatsoever in my foot. Might as well have been standing in my living room. That was pretty impressive.

My Impacts are sized for camp, not hiking. My feet move around in them too much to climb wearing snowshoes or spikes, but are fine for just walking around. I got them that way for sub zero camping as the loose fit really is warm when standing around. With 15 hours of dark the nights in the hammock were just too long. With the right gear I can stand around in the dark at -20° for hours enjoying the stars. Worth carrying unless I am expecting wind. Then I just end up going to bed early anyway

 

[helmethiker]

He who dies with the most toys, wins.

He who dies loses

 

[hikeritz]

For several years I did winter backpacking trips wearing Sorel Snowbears...basically snowmobile boots. Kinsman Pond, the late, lamented Desolation Shelter, Garfield, Crag Camp & Adams, and others. Big, floppy things without much support, but warm and dry. I just use them for snowblowing my driveway, and I now have a pair of Sorel Timberwolf boots for hiking. Also warm & dry, but built like hiking boots. Very comfy.

 

[DayTrip]

My Impacts are sized for camp, not hiking. My feet move around in them too much to climb wearing snowshoes or spikes, but are fine for just walking around. I got them that way for sub zero camping as the loose fit really is warm when standing around. With 15 hours of dark the nights in the hammock were just too long. With the right gear I can stand around in the dark at -20° for hours enjoying the stars. Worth carrying unless I am expecting wind. Then I just end up going to bed early anyway

Where do you put an extra pair of boots on/in your backpack with all the other crap needed for a Winter overnight? I get the logic and would actually like to try that. Seems like a lot of space and weight. But, as you said, nights are long and when I overnight I'm usually stargazing too. Guess I have to rethink this idea....

 

[Lone Stranger]

The extra boots carry about the same as snowshoes. Depending on snow depth I will strap either/both on top or the back of the pack using ball bungies. On top carries better, but being 7 feet tall is a bad idea when the snow is deep and you are pushing through the pines My winter pack is a SO Unaweep 6300 with a solid interior frame that makes it great for carrying crap externally if needed.