Winter Boots (Sorel vs Baffin vs Other)?

Submitted by FightinABeaver t3_ynauhm in BuyItForLife

Looking for winter boots.

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I deal with quite a bit of snow, temperatures that generally sit around -25 celsius and my feet get cold quite easily (and I have a good wool sock system).

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I wore through the soles of my Sorel Caribous and I've been told that they can't be re-soled.

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Looking for my next set of boots. The Sorel's I've had were fine, but I've heard quality may have fallen recently. I'm also looking at Baffin's Canada boots. Wondering if there is any consensus on durability between the two or if there's another company I should be looking at.

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EelgrassKelp t1_iv7ynd6 wrote

I don't know anything about Baffin, but Sorel was sold quite a few years ago. They ignored their customer base and the quality went down the drain.

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Wader_Man t1_iv89ni6 wrote

Yes and they moved production out of Canada to Vietnam.

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melissafromtherivah t1_iv8c8vg wrote

Good to know! I have a pair that I bought in 1987 or 1988, & I don’t even need socks the liners are so warm( originals) also have a pair that I rec’d as a gift in early 2000s so I’ll be set for the rest of my life hopefully.

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Alwaysaprairiegirl t1_iv8e49p wrote

I used to love Sorel and I grew up wearing their boots. One of the best things about them was being able to replace the liners which they don’t even sell them anymore. I wish that they had never sold.

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_running_fool_ t1_iv8rot7 wrote

This is probably why I can't sell my unused liners! They're not making the boot anymore. Annoying.

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sl8rfan2 t1_iv825d3 wrote

These are pretty badass

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rpbanker t1_iv9v46v wrote

I've worn Steger mukluks exclusively since ... 1995? Never had cold feet. Plus they're lightweight, so it's easy to go bounding through snow banks.

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500Butts t1_iv85dl9 wrote

I have a pair of kodiaks that have lasted me 7 years so far. The sole is still like new, the stitching and seals are in excellent condition. The only thing I've had to replace is the laces.
I have a misaligned gait that wears down most shoes in under 2 years, yet these have survived me and frequent use.

I used to love sorel, however, something has changed and the quality and styles are not the same. Aesthetically, they are fine but they wear down incredibly fast. Last set i bought (3ish years ago) were ducks and after about a month there were leaks and soaked feet. Same for the men's sizes, the width changed. I am a narrow but other folks i know are wide and they had some severe discomfort with identical sized newer pairs (both men's boots).

Hope this helps.

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regaphysics t1_iv7wf47 wrote

Baffin and it’s not close. Only other option would be military white boots (called Mickey Mouse boots)

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FightinABeaver OP t1_iv8g078 wrote

Thanks, I have a pair of their Canada Boots on the way!

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DontNotNotReadThis t1_iwtwl7u wrote

Have you tried out the boots yet??

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FightinABeaver OP t1_iwuqhrj wrote

I have. Anything you want to know?

If not I'll report back in 5-10 years go let you know how bifl they are.

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DontNotNotReadThis t1_iwwdszq wrote

Are they a good daily wear boot? How heavy are they? How's the traction? Do they keep your feet warm?

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FightinABeaver OP t1_iwwlhcw wrote

They're big and heavy so depends what you're looking for in a daily wear. You can't lace them super snug so probably not amazing for walking extremely long distances.

Traction seems good, but it hasn't gotten too icey here yet, so hard to really test them. On soft snow and snow over pavement I've never had issues though.

Very warm so far (only used down to about -15 c so far though).

In general they're nice to slip on for 1 hour walks once or twice regardless of temperature.

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enfieldstudios t1_ixb762r wrote

What about size? I’m a 10.5, I feel like I’m always going to wear winter socks with them, so should I get a 11?

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ElectronHick t1_iv7y2je wrote

Baffin. I have had mine for like 8 years and they still look brand new. I only use them on occasion but they are amazing. I look forward to big storms when I get to wear them, other wise they just sit there. 340 days of the year.

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Pure-Rock-Fury37 t1_iv8fpyv wrote

Baffin all the way. My pair are 15+ years old and I can sit on the ice without have my feet getting cold. I live in Minnesota so they are used frequently for various other things like shoveling, snowblowing, Ice Fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, etc..

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farkleboy t1_iv9ahcb wrote

Fellow mn’r here, and when I saw that the guides for the dog sledding adventure that my boys go to through Boy Scouts used Baffin, I went all in. No regrets. Beat my old sorrels by a lot.

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Ride1226 t1_ivc0vl8 wrote

Coming into my second winter here after moving to MN. Wore my boots from SoCal desert terrain / military style usage last winter and learned quickly they are not the answer. Got wet, snow in from the top, not waterproof, not warm.

Shopping boots right now and based on this thread I am leaning Baffin. Is there a specific model ya'll would recommend? Thanks!

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farkleboy t1_ivd8lq4 wrote

Don’t go nuts. Get a mid range boot that is more flexible unless you are really wanting to wade hip deep at -35°. I had the summits until my kid “adopted” them so I got myself the tundras. Both are great, as a lazy man I like the buckles better. They are a bit tall for me but I’m short.

Their website is pretty nice, guides you through, but honestly if you have a dealer near you, nothing speaks more than trying them on.

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Ride1226 t1_iveo4jg wrote

I'll see if any dealers are around but living in the Brainerd Lakes area there isn't a whole ton of shoe stores.

Yea definitely not trying to go on a sub zero escapade haha. Just want to be better off when I'm out with the kids or running the snow blower than I was last year in combat boots.

Thank you!

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Potential_Wave_3662 t1_iv7zkeb wrote

What about Danner and L. L. Bean? I'm looking for a winter boot as well and people recommended me these 2

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mngal89 t1_iv9qwd9 wrote

I live in Minnesota and wear LL Bean boots!

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UninspiredRPh t1_iv8anai wrote

I agree with Baffins! I lived in Alaska for 4 years and dealt with -40F. The first year I had Sorel and my feet were always cold. Then I switched to Baffins and absolutely loved them.

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Quail-a-lot t1_iv8e64q wrote

Baffin for sure. Between us we have had a few different models and they have all been superb.

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Ursa_Major787 t1_ix1ya1q wrote

What models have you tried? Which is your favorite?

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Quail-a-lot t1_ix24v79 wrote

My fav is actually one of the youth models called the Mustang, same nice quality of the adult models but minus the sales tax xD

I have Ease as well, but don't think those are really going to hold up as well. They are packable though which is really nice and they fit in my oldschool leather shoeshoe straps easily. I am wearing a pair of the Cabin slippers and the Trail Socks right now. The slippers are pretty amazing. I thought about getting the puffy ones, but was worried about slipping on the stairs, but I am still very tempted just for hammock camping. The socks don't seem like they will last as long as my Darn Toughs, but the two pack is a good price and they have lasted for three years now, which is a hell of a lot longer than the Costco ones everyone else likes. I have two different rainboots, Meltwater and Prime. The Meltwater were super comfy, but I kinda destroyed them logging and walking on barnacles so now they are my shitty loaner pair. If you have a less rough lifestyle and maybe don't store them in your sunroom with unglazed glass I would totally recommend them! The Prime are serviceable but a bit less insulated. Hella durable though!

My husband has one of the monster bulky pairs Crossfire or Escalate maybe? He has also had some of the winter hikers like the Zone and the Enduro rainboots.

I have tried their thermals, but do not recommend. So much pilling.

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Dear_Conference1432 t1_iv8l1p9 wrote

Sorel’s look nice but make my feet sweat profusely in any temperature above 0 def F

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LarixOcc t1_iv8r7om wrote

Hoffman's out of Kellogg Idaho

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enchiiladas t1_iv96uyn wrote

i went scouring this sub last year to find a good recommendation. i ended up going with Kamik

the company seems to be ethical, the boots have kept me from falling countless times, my feet don't get cold and they're really comfy imo

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papamcb t1_ivbl0l9 wrote

Kamick makes a good winter boot as well

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jacksonmsres t1_iw1bhkg wrote

Danner has worked well for me

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