UpNorthica

Winter in our northern clime has given a stellar performance this season. Snow has remained on the ground, unabated, since November. The downside? My feet have demanded more warmth and better performance from my winter boots. The Baffin Icefield, designed specifically for women, met that demand.

Created for extreme conditions (arctic expedition extreme, to be precise) and optimal performance, the boots are meant to make the long haul. Featuring a glove-like web lacing system, nylon uppers and a gelflex midsole, you’re guaranteed to keep warm. The five layer, removable inner boot liner confirms to your foot shape, and can be replaced separately should you outwear it. I found the liner easy to remove and re-fit.

Even at a mere three pounds a pair, the boot provides considerable protection. Rated to -70 C, they can be worn on your trip to Newfoundland or the local sledding hill. I could live outside all winter in these. The Icefield boot fits with the comfort of a soft, lightweight pillow; versus some of the other brands I tried, which had all the comfort of the cardboard boxes they were sold in. After long hikes in deep snowfall, my feet stayed warm and dry. I appreciated the fact that the uppers are not stiff to walk in. Extended periods outside in -15 proved no problem for my feet [full disclosure: I haven’t been to the Yukon where I could test the -70 claim… yet]. I will add that if it’s 32 and your activity is vigorous, that you feet might be too warm, so forego your wool socks. The fit is not bulky, so pulling the pant leg over is a breeze. The soft collar at the opening prevents snow from coming in, a nice feature when you’re getting white-washed.

The one hitch was what to do with the boot cord once you cinched it tight. You end up with a good foot of hanging cord. The company informed me that the lace lock at the end of the cord is removable, allowing one to cut the cord to fit, and replace the lock.

I tested out two similar boots. The Icefield surpassed them in warmth, weight and comfort. But while Icefields are strong enough for a man, they are indeed only made for a woman. Not to fret; all you envious man-types can check out the Baffin Impact for some comparable features.