Baffin Wolf Mossy Oak 9 D (M) - In-Depth Review

Background:I'm from Phoenix, and I've done a lot of backpacking, but I do not have a lot of experience in the snow/intense cold.Experience:I took these on a snowshoeing trek through Colorado in December. During the day while being active, my feet were sweating profusely at 15 F. You'll want to bring many extra wool socks to have some socks dry for when you stop moving.Warmth:A cold front moved in, and temps dipped to -15 F. We were up late, so I was using the boots in these temps with my feet often fully immersed in snow. When stagnant, my toes were a bit cold. Nothing too crazy, just a little chilly. Also though, I was dehydrated (I didn't know this at the time, but dehydration will make your feet colder) and my body was not used to the cold (Phoenix had been about low-70's before I left). As soon as we started gathering more firewood at about midnight, my feet warmed right up.Sizing:The sizing on these boots were a little off for me. I'm a size 11-12 for normal shoes, and I have slightly wide feet. I ordered a size 11 for these shoes and they felt almost 2 sizes too big. My friend is a size 13 (~12.9), and he fit into it perfectly. He and my other friend have the Baffin Selkirk and those are true to size (12 and 13). I gave the size 11 to my size 13 friend, he returned his Selkirk (Too warm for what we were doing), and I ordered a size 10. 10 is near perfect (just slightly big). It's perfect though width-wise.Structure:These boots are very flexible around the ankle and have regular flexibility on the sole. This is what I prefer but have been told that it's best to have a stiff sole for extended periods walking in snow. I had snowshoes on, so it didn't make a difference.Fun Facts:*These boots are completely waterproof.*They are non-breathable.*These are one of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. Possibly the most comfortable.*On the same trip, I used the boots as snowboarding boots. They happened to fit in my bindings well. I snowboarded for about thirty minutes. It felt completely normal except that the binding was sort of digging into the back of my leg. It was a little uncomfortable, but not too bad. If I had some kind of stiff surface in the boot, it would have been just like regular snowboarding. In either case, I probably could have snowboarded for several hours.

I used them while driving an open-air/no heater skid steer outside when temps were near zero - outside about 5 hours streight, feet stayed comfortable, wore thin socks for less snug fit so the boots kept my feet warm, without the aid of winter socks. Just spent a couple of hours walking in near-freezing water about 6 inches deep, feet stayed warm and dry. Very happy with this purchase. Note: these are heavier insulated boots, will keep feet warm and dry BUT not that great for walking long distances on hard surfaces with them, Walking in deeper snow is the same as any other boot.

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.......