Baffin Revelstoke

This high quality winter boot successfully unites warmth, style, and function in a lightweight package. This boot will not cause you to overheat in warmer conditions with its high breathability, but will also keep your feet warm and dry when the temperature falls far below the freezing point!

After years of ill-fitting, large snow boots that provide sub-par warmth, I began the search for a superior product for both hiking/backpacking, and general poor weather use. I have never been happy using my heavy duty hiking boots in cold and snow, having to resort to doubling thin socks.

This typically complicates matters for me, as this practice tends to restrict blood circulation, resulting in cold feet. Especially with winter camping, this is a concern that must be avoided to keep the ‘fun-factor’ high, and danger low. The Baffin Revelstoke is in their Ultralite series’, which looked to be the ideal type of boot for backpacking and hiking, as well as general use.

Baffin claims ‘Ultralite is the evolution of winter footwear, where comfort meets agility without compromising style or protection. With highly breathable, waterproof upper materials and a heat-moldable, removable liner with B-Tek Lite insulation, this series guarantees weather protection in temperatures ranging from 5°C/41°F to -50°C/-58°F. Weighing only 2lbs. per boot, these sit upon a Superlite shell which features a snowshoe ledge. Finally, our proprietary AirGrip starts in the midsole and is molded through the outsole, then rounded out with Polar Rubber contact points for additional slip resistant grip on snow and ice.’

SPECS

• Base/Shank: TPU construction (thermoplastic polyurethane)
• Midsole: Airflex hybrid blend
• Outsole: Rubber with slip resistant patches
• Upper: PU coated leather & nylon ‘suede’
• Liner: D multi-layer with B-tek Lite hollow fiber synthetic insulation
• EZ lace system
• Front and back pull loops
• Available in Men’s sizes 7-14
• Gaiter Hooks

TESTING CONDITIONS

This boot has been tested around town, on day hikes in Vermont, and on an overnight backpacking trip in West Virginia/Maryland on the Appalachian Trail. Temperature ranges tested from high limits in excess of 60°F, down to below 0°F.

Unfortunately, this review cannot estimate the low temperature range of comfort with this boot. The boot has been tested in dry weather, rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow. I have not reviewed this boot using snowshoes and crampons, however I successfully used universal ice traction systems (similar to Kahtoola MICROspikes).

FIT

This boot fits on the snug side. I’d recommend ordering a size larger than a regular shoe, which is pretty typical in today’s boot world. The inner boot liner is very soft, spongy, and comfortable. The EZ lace system is easy to use, however don’t assume that you can just pull on the drawcord and the laces pull tight uniformly. I found it extremely important to take extra precautions to adjust the laces one by one, and make sure both the boot and liner tongues seat properly.

I found the bottom of the liner to be a little too springy when hiking or backpacking, allowing the foot to move around just a little too much. This concern was easily rectified by trimming and inserting a pair of SuperFeet Green insoles. This little modification made these boots perfect!

Closeup of the EZ Lace system.

COMFORT/TEMPERATURE CONTROL

This is a very comfortable boot to wear, even when its on the warmer side. I have worn the boots around the house quite a bit, ranging from cotton/polyester socks, and merino wool socks of varying thickness. I tend to have forgiving feet that don’t easily overheat, and found these boots do a pretty great job letting body heat out!

I never noticed any water intrusion, only normal foot sweat that didn’t create any discomfort. Pulling these boots on when it is a frigid morning is a dream! The soft, synthetic foam heats up lightning quick, which is huge in my opinion… It is ALWAYS a lengthy ordeal getting out of the tent, retrieving a bear bag, stoking the fire, and getting warm!

SUPPORT

These boots provide more than adequate support. The shank/midsole area has very little give, yet is very comfortable when walking. This is obviously very important when hiking. I found the uppers to also give sufficient ankle support, which is a safety factor for me. I’m prone to chronic ankle injuries after a serious fall years ago. Due to the foam liner, I felt the need for insoles, which corrected my need for additional arch and heel support. 

WATER RESISTANCE

This is arguably one of the most important factors regarding winter boots. Wet feet are, without doubt, cold miserable ones when its cold outside. I found the boots to perform flawlessly, after stepping midsole deep in cold slushy water. The nice added feature of gaiter hooks even allows the wearer to take additional precautions keeping snow/ice/debris out. 

TRACTION

The Revelstoke has an aggressive tread pattern, with notably soft rubber lugs. Traction is another strong point using these quality boots, with soft grippy lugs on the toe and heel. Great design for the walker in mind. Forethought was also put into the mid-foot area, with soft rubber on the outside, to help retain a gaiter strap. The mid-foot area also has some relief to protect the gaiter strap underneath the boot. Excellent job, Baffin. 

The black outer portion of the tread is much softer, and holds exceptional grip.

The soft tread on the toe area is very helpful in slick, icy conditions!

EASE OF USE

Another consideration I have with winter boots has to do with the user experience. Are they easy to pull on and off? Are they cumbersome? Difficult to lace? Face it, when it is cold outside, we are all frequently wearing jackets, gloves, hats that encumber the body. The last thing that I want is a pair of boots that take ten minutes to put on or take off.

Both the boot, and the inner liner have well constructed pull loops. There is a hook and loop attachment (Achilles area) where the liner secures to the boot. And it holds well! The liner comes out easily, and there is a reflective footprint that lives between the boot’s sole, and the liner. Again, another well thought out nice touch.

The exterior heel area has a snowshoe ledge, which also helps aid the wearer getting the boots off. Unfortunately weather and timing did not allow me to go snowshoeing, so I cannot comment on the function of this ledge operating with snowshoes. These boots go on ad come off quickly and easily, no fuss! A couple of fingers, an easy pull, and they are on! I’d guess most people spend more time adjusting their socks and layers then getting the boots on and off!

Closeup of the hook-and-loop that secures the liner to the boot.

Reflective insole that lives between the boot, and the liner.

Closeup of the boot liner.

The boot liner is all top-notch quality!

FEATURES

One of my favorite features of this boot is Baffin’s tongue design for the boot and liner. I can really only compare the design to that of a snowboard boot. A bit of care must be taken when the boot is being fitted, but the design provides truly superior comfort.

The pull loops are put in well though out locations, and are sewn in securely. Most of my winter gear is dark colored, so the reflective logo is a nice touch. The snowshoe ledge really helps with removing the boots, another plus. The gaiter hook is very strong, and has been riveted into place, which is clearly better than hooking to laces, which from my experience quickly shred to pieces.

Overall, the EZ lace system is pretty good. The eyelets can rotate, which really helps that custom fit. I’m not particularly a big fan of the quality of the laces, which have worn considerably. Easy enough to fix, but a stronger lace could be used.

My main concern with this boot is that there really isn’t a place to put the tail of the lace, once the toggle is tightened! I’ve wrapped and tucked the lace as many ways as I can think of, and eventually it comes out, and kind of hangs out there. Perhaps a future model will have a little clip or something to keep the lace out of the way. 

Separate pull loops in front and rear for the boot liner, and the boot itself. 

A closeup of the gaiter hook, and lower tongue area of the boot below the hinged metal eyelets.

The reflective Baffin logo is a nice touch to add a little more visibility to the wearer.

The heel/snowshoe ledge.


CONSTUCTION/DURABILITY

These boots are extremely well made, I have no doubt that they will last a considerable time. The stitching is high quality, as are the materials used. The rubber is high quality, and easy to clean. Since the lugs were designed for excellent grip in snow and ice, I suspect the softer composition to wear faster than the rest of the boot.

CONCLUSION

These lightweight winter boots have proven to be a successful union between the necessity of function in a winter boot, and something that provides long-term comfort. Whether you're digging out of your driveway, or adding some miles, Baffin is nothing short of impressive!