Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My last pair of Baffin boots lasted 16 years. I picked them up at a Thrift Store for a whopping $5, they were used and abused every winter during that time. Everything from blowing snow, full day rides on the snowmobile, long drives, mall shopping and more. So needless to say I was a big Baffin fan from the get go. But it was time for an upgrade. I take no purchase lightly and research things to a near obsession, it's debilitating at times, especially something as important like winter boots living in Minnesota. I pondered all the options, tried out 15-20 of my favorites, handful of quality brands, and finally settled on the Wolf's. First things first, laces. As far as I am concerned they have no place on a true winter boot. They are hard to take on and off when your all geared up, they catch snow, get wet, and just a pain to deal with. So are Bungee strings, can't stand 'em. When I come in from the cold outside, I want to slip my boots off as fast as possible. So it comes down to Hook/Loop (Velcro) or buckles/clasps. Baffin does make boots that offer both, and though Velcro has it's advantages, it tends to hold snow/ice, and often times just fails when extremely wet, so I prefer pull buckles. The buckles/straps on these boots have nice large rubber pulls on the end which makes tightening very easy, though I tend to keep mine somewhat loose, and just slip my feet in and out all winter long. But when I do need them tight, just reach down with my bulky gloved hand and give them a tug. A tightening collar is also must , especially for blowing snow, check. Gotta keep that snow and moisture out, the #1 reason peoples feet get cold to begin with. Removeable liner a must, have to be able to pull them out for drying, Wolfs-Check. Now comes down to a more personal choice, Cold Rating. Living in Minnesota, temps can reach -40 or more, you would think I would want the coldest rated boot possible, but not so fast. You also have to remember that you are going to be living in these boots more often in much milder temps. These Wolf's are rated down to -40F, Baffin offer's boots that are rated well below that, the Selkirk models for instance. Selkirks & Impacts were on my short list, but the trade off in size, bulk, and heat issues in milder temps, just wasn't worth it in my opinion for that 1-2 days a year that would be a factor. -40 is very good for 99% of my use, and those handful of times I may sit on the lake all day ice fishing in sub-0 temps, I will just put on a extra pair of socks. The Wolf's are far easier to walk in than both those mentioned, and I really dislike the full wrap around lower strap on the Selkirk's. Just another place to catch/hold snow and ice. In a perfect world I would have a pair of winter boots for extreme cold, another for mild cold, another for driving, another for winter walks, going to work, etc., and all of a sudden I have a closet full of 30 task/temp specific boots. No thanks, I prefer to have one good do-it-all winter boot, a good leather work/yard boot for summer (Red Wing Heritage), rain boot (Kamik Hunter), and hiking boot (Columbia Newton). Between those 4 boots, I can handle any weather or climate. Wolf's are a great jack of all trade mid-extreme winter boot. If was was climbing Everest, they would not be going with me. But for blowing snow, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or just the normal snow/winter things that us northerners do throughout the day, these are perfectly suited. Surprisingly easy to walk/drive in, sure they are big bulky snow boots, but the materials are shockingly light, and I get no ankle slipping or shin rub from the upper collar. I still have a pair of old Sorels from 30 years ago, they are built like a tank, and feel just as heavy. I don't feel like an alien walking with cement shoes in these Wolf's. I know many complain they are sized small, I would disagree. They are suppose to be tight at first, even a bit uncomfortably so. They need time to work in to your foot shape. My Size 12 was spot on, with a heavier sock they do feel tight, but my toes are not compressed, and they already feel 2x better after just a few uses. That will only improve the more they get used. I also love the fact that the boots hold shape extremely well when not in use. The fabric sides do not sag, flop, or wrinkle like many other boots I have tried. Putting them on and off is a breeze, no hands needed. The one issue I thought I would have was going to be those strap ends. The straps and buckles work perfectly, but if pulled on the tighter side you will have some excess strap just hanging. I had thought that extra few inches of strap would really annoy me, but so far has not been an issue at all. The only way they could eliminate that is by adding velcro or strap loops, but that would just add more places for snow to attach, so it's perfect just how it is. My one and only complaint, "Made in China". I guess that is the world we live in now, but I gladly would have paid an additional 50-75% to have these "Made in Canada" like my last pair of Baffin's. But I am probably in the minority with that thinking, and it's no wonder why other quality boot makers are also shifting production overseas (cough..Red Wing). To get this quality of boot "Made in Canada/USA" you would probably be in the $299-350 range, so i get it, but I don't have to like it. These sure appear well made, triple stitching, great alignment on upper/lower. I sure hope I get half the use out of these that I got out of my last pair. All in all, well done Baffin, you have a winner here. For a sub-$200 boot, these are hard to beat. Speaking of those retired/old previous baffin's I paid $5 for at that thrift shop 16 years ago. Surprisingly, I was able to sell them for $35 and the new owner loves 'em. lot's of life left, and hope he get's years of use. Best investment of my life, hoping for more of the same. Stay Warm Folks.......