Baffin Control Max Polar Boots Review – They Are Mountain Arctic Tough

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First Thoughts On The Baffin Control Max Polar Boots

These Baffin Control Max Polar boots are the most extreme snow and cold boots that I’ve had the pleasure of wearing. I like to “play” in the high altitude mountains of Colorado where we have the fortune of hanging out at a cabin from time to time. Our presence up there has increased nicely over the past few years. Therefore, I bet these boots can handle pretty much anything I throw at them, and will be a wonderful addition for big snow and blizzard weather that we get hit with. The Baffin Control Max Polar boots certainly look the part with a waterproof upper and traction control sole that should allow me to indulge in tackling the deepest mountain passes (or snow blowing my drive way).

Features

• Improved insulation level with removable comfort-fit multi-layer inner boot system
• Waterproof level with B-Teck Dry Waterproof Base
• Slip resistant
• Snowshoe compatible.

Upper Construction

First of all, the leather on the upper is full grain and insulated. It feels the part! And by that I mean that they are a thick solid leather with a hard rubber nose. The main thing to know is that the seams are sealed to ensure maximum water protection.

Notice the ring at the bottom to attach a gator or snow pants to.

The lacing is called a D-Ring front fastening system. Lacing boots like this needs to be easy. Cold hands and thick gloves are part of the game, and fussing with small laces are not something I want to deal with. Plus, you could be knee deep in snow. Hence, I like the simplicity and maneuverability of the laces and how the rings are spaced apart properly.

You can see the top ring is twisted here, but once I put it back into place, it hasn’t done that since.

Waterproof seam-sealed upper is a must of course. The elements in a very short time period can find their way into a pair of boots if you’re not careful. Confidently moving ahead with the task at hand is key in my eyes. I’ve spent up to about 3 hours outside in these, but am planning on an all day excursion soon. Thus far, the weatherproofing has done it’s job.

The Base And Sole Of The Baffin Control Max Polar Boots

The base of the Baffin Control Max Polar boots have an Arctic Rubber with an EVA midsole. This is a lightweight and flexible material that provides a great buffer to the cold. Although, I am not a fisherman, I feel like these would be an appropriate pair of boots for sitting on the ice all day. In addition, there is a good resilience which extends the life of the boot, and has nice cushioning.

The outsole is made of Polar Rubber. At the very cold temperatures and conditions this boot will get exposed to, this adds longevity and really good grip. And the last great feature is the Icepaw design pads which provide contact-point grip on that slippery ice.

Insulation of the Baffin Control Max Polar Boots

This section gets my extra attention with five stars to boot. When you put these Baffin boots on, you immediately get sucked into this plush, warm, and secure fit. In short, it’s cozy warm, and snug!

The liner has a removable comfort-fit multi-layer inner boot system. If at some point the liner does wear down, you can purchase a replacement. Bear with me (and Baffin) on all the technical terms listed below, but it does describe the numerous technical qualities that go into making this an arctic boot.

• The lining is Form-Fitting B-Tek which is super comfortable.
• It has a 4-channel hollow-fibre insulation for high-loft breathability in all sorts of temperature ranges.
• It’s got an aluminum membrane that reflects energy and regulates heat
• PolyWool (polyester and wool blend) creates warmth that’s also breathable
• Diamond Net insulation is lightweight and wind-resistant
• Hydromax layering improves the moisture management
• Waffle-comb footbed traps warm air while also controlling odor (I do hope so)

I have worn these in some super cold, sub zero temperatures, and have never experienced cold feet. I am impressed thus far, but I will continue to wear them in the most extreme temperatures I can find.

Boots On The Ground

I would like to first point out that I enjoy the classic and simple look of these boots. What’s underneath it all is the aforementioned technology. Be assured that a lot of thought has gone into this to allow me to work and play in some extreme conditions.

We go to the mountains quite often. A tucked away cabin that gets its fair share of snow, wind, and bitter cold temperatures. The Aspens are an ever-evolving living organism. They grow fast, and fall just as fast. I am continuously clearing the land of downed trees for mitigation and fire wood. It would make complete sense to tackle that task in the summer, of course! Summer is also a time for fun to run, bike, hike, climb, kayak, and explore the mountains.

That leaves me to battle two to four foot drifts that require me to post hole across our property. On the bright side, the dead trees are easy to spot if still standing. Once de-branched by chainsaw (and cut into smaller pieces), I can drag them, or place them on a sled to haul up to our cabin for splitting, stacking, and free heat. The good thing is that these Baffin Boots are also snowshoe compatible. I have several snowshoes, and make good use of them. My smaller “running” snowshoes are not a good fit for these Baffin boots, but my larger deep snow trudging snow shoes have a large enough foot print and strapping system for these to fit.

Water and cold proof are my main reasons for having these. Durability falls in line right after.

They do sell a replacement boot liner. This speaks to the durability of the outer boot. I’m going to guess it will take me a while to wear through the liner, but it’s good to know that insert can be replaced.

Size And Fit

I wear size 10.5 to 11 for most of my shoes. My running shoes are 11 to 11.5. I decided to go for the 11’s, and they fit well. I mentioned it before that they are snug and cozy which is pretty accurate for me. My feet have flattened a bit with age, so they are an infinitesimally tiny amount on the snug side. Meaning that I could get away with maybe a 11.5… but since these do not come in half sizes, I am glad I got the 11’s. If you are close to one size or another, maybe err on the side of the larger size.

Final Thoughts On The Baffin Control Max Polar

The Baffin Control Max Polar is the boot of all boots. Explore the arctic, traverse the tundra, or brave a blizzard to reach the mailbox. This boot can certainly perform whatever task you need it to. Does the Baffin Boot bring you the most bang for your buck? At $260 retail, it is certainly a solid investment. My initial thoughts are a definite yes! It’s hard to put a price on keeping those delicate digits warm for a day out in sub freezing temperatures. They are certainly comfortable, warm and allow me to do my thing in deep snow for a longer period of time. I suppose, time will tell if the investment is worth it depending on how many seasons I get out of them. These Baffin boots have been solid thus far.

MSRP: $260

For more details on this and any of Baffin’s other boots, please check out www.baffin.com.