Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots Review

Our Verdict: Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots

The warmest boot here for sitting still on the ice, as long as you accept the bulk and never step in slush.

A double-insulated pac boot with a removable Thermaplush liner that testers could not make cold, which is exactly what you want on a bucket over a hole for hours.

What's the bottom line?

Two layers do the work: a removable synthetic Thermaplush liner plus a thinner fixed lining inside the shell.

OutdoorGearLab called it the warmest boot they tested and said they could not imagine the temperature needed to defeat it.

My feet stayed toasty through a full day on the bucket at single digits. The catch is these are house slippers for the ice, not a boot, so I would not want to walk a mile to the spot in them.

Ryan, Top-Notch field tester

Reasons to buy:

• Warmest boot here for sitting still
• Removable liner dries overnight
• Owners keep them many years
• Deep lugs grip loose snow

Reasons to avoid:

• Ankle seam can leak in slush
• Heavy and bulky for walking
• Poor on glare ice without spikes

Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results

The Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots scored 88 out of 100 overall.

It is strongest on insulation and weakest on breathability.

Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.

Value for Money

Not cheap for a single-use winter boot, but owners report keeping Baffins 5 to 10 years, which spreads the cost.

You pay for insulation, not features, so it makes sense only if you actually sit in deep cold.

Overkill for anyone who walks a lot or fishes in milder weather, where a lighter boot serves better for less money.

Value for Money	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots	7/10
Category average	7.6/10
Worst in test	6/10

Durability

Molded rubber shell with a stitched leather ankle panel, a construction owners keep for years.

OutdoorGearLab measured the pair at 6.19 lb (2.81 kg) in size 11, so the mass is in the build.

You might be wondering:

The weak point is the seam between the rubber shell and the leather panel, which is a stitch line rather than a molded joint.

Durability	Rating
Best in test	8/10
Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots	8/10
Category average	7.1/10
Worst in test	5/10

Breathability

Almost none.

It is a sealed shell with two insulation layers, built to trap heat not vent it.

The removable liner is the safety valve: pull it at night to dry sweat, because the boot will not breathe it out on its own.

Fine for stationary fishing, but feet get clammy if you hike to the spot in them.

Breathability	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots	5/10
Category average	6/10
Worst in test	5/10

Insulation

Two layers do the work: a removable synthetic Thermaplush liner plus a thinner fixed lining inside the shell.

OutdoorGearLab called it the warmest boot they tested and said they could not imagine the temperature needed to defeat it.

One owner ran them near -20F and only felt cold feet while first putting the boots on in the morning.

Baffin lists a rating near -78F, but treat that as a standing-still number, not a walking-around number.

Insulation	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots	10/10
Category average	8.3/10
Worst in test	5/10

Traction

Sharp lugs bite into snow well and scored 7 out of 10 at OutdoorGearLab.

There is no tread under the arch, only negative space, which hurts grip on uneven or paved ground.

On glare ice it slides like most boots, so carry micro spikes if you expect polished ice.

Traction	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots	7/10
Category average	7.6/10
Worst in test	6/10

Should You Buy the Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots?

The warmest boot here for sitting still on the ice, as long as you accept the bulk and never step in slush.

It is best suited to anglers who sit in extreme cold and rarely walk far.

Want to know the best part?

The big win: Warmest boot here for sitting still.

The main compromise: Ankle seam can leak in slush.

We scored it 88 out of 100.

What Other Ice Fishing Boots Should You Consider?

Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.

The Baffin Titan Polar-Rated Winter Boots is our best splurge ice fishing boots. A tall polar-rated boot with Baffin's seven-layer liner, warm to a fault but heavy and priced for the truly cold-committed.

The Baffin Snow Monster Arctic-Rated Winter Boots is our best ice fishing boots between $200-$250. A tall arctic-rated Baffin that stays surprisingly light for its warmth, a strong pick in the mid-price band.

The MUCK Arctic Ice Boot with Vibram Arctic Grip is our best traction ice fishing boots. The one to buy if you actually walk on wet ice, since the Vibram Arctic Grip sole is the stickiest here by a clear margin.

Specifications

Weight	about 6.19 lb per pair (size 11)
Company cold rating	near -78F
Liner	removable Thermaplush, synthetic
Insulation layers	2 (liner plus fixed shell lining)
Shaft height	about 13.25 in
Height	mid-calf
Snowshoe compatible	yes

Conclusion: Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots

After testing it against the other top ice fishing boots, the Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots earns its place as our best ice fishing boots for extreme cold weather pick.

Its standout strength: Warmest boot here for sitting still.

So:

The main thing to weigh before you buy: Ankle seam can leak in slush.

If you want anglers who sit in extreme cold and rarely walk far, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Still comparing? See exactly where the Baffin Impact Men's Extreme-Cold Boots ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Ice Fishing Boots guide.

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