d_rek
Well-Known Member
Wondering if the Titans from Baffin Technology are good for saddle hunting? Find out here.
http://www.baffin.com/product-p/23550000.htm
MSRP/Purchased Price:
$109.99 USD
Purchased from:
bought online from Zappos.com
Initial Impressions:
I had read that these boots were big. But by the huge box I received from Zappos I knew they were going to be a lot bigger than I anticipated.
After unpacking from the huge zappos box I was immediately struck by a strong rubbery chemical odor coming from the boots. These things stunk like chemicals. After thoroughly inspecting and removing the huge boot liner I was feeling rather confident that these would be a great cold weather boot.
The rubber seemed to be tough and the boot liner was unlike anything i've ever seen. Overall I was excited to try these out, as i've always had issues keeping my feet warm in colder weather hunting.
I tried them on immediately to see how the fit and feel would be. Kind of like walking on pillows. I was somewhat worried this might make for awkward traversing in the woods because of how large and clunky they felt. I also was unsure how my bib pant legs would fit - if they did at all - around them since the ankle area was so wide on the boot. These boots are, by far and large, the bulkiest boots I have ever seen. You wont be doing any driving with these or delicate foot tasks.
Quality:
The material and construction was very high quality. While I do have some doubts if the rubber would be as tough as my lacrosse aeroheads I do not expect to put them through the same type of abuses for late season hunts. The tread pattern also appeared very durable. The liners are just on a different planet. I have never seen anything like these.
Sizing & Fit:
I purchased a size 13 - a whole size larger than what I would normally wear for a shoe/boot, which is a size 12. The reason was because I had read that to keep comfortable for cold weather sits your feet need an 'air pocket' in which to insulate and collect warm air.
It is also worth noting I have a very wide toebox with high arches. The biggest issue I run into with footwear is it being too narrow. I was slightly worried that these might be narrow based on reviews, but the fit was good and they did not squeeze my feet into an uncomfortable position.
Features:
The Titan's have a couple of features which make them an innovative cold-weather boot.
The first is the gaiter at the top of the boot. The gaiter is made of a nylon material and has a drawstring to tighten around your calf to keep snow/precipitation out.
The second is the 1" thick removable boot liner. This thing just screams warmth. This liner is what is responsible for the design and bulk of the boot.
The last feature is a waffle-pattern sole insert. I assume that it was designed this way to allow moisture to collect at the bottom of the boot and not in the liner itself, which was later affirmed by some field testing.
Field-tested?
Yes. Used for 6 sits in the 2014 MI hunting season, in temps ranging from 10F-30F. a
I was really excited to try these boots out. I had some reservations about how bulky they were, however, but those proved to be somewhat groundless.
I wore these boots on some of the coldest days of the season in MI, all saddle hunts, from hunting heights of approx. 20-25 ft.
The first few sits I simply wore thin liner socks with the boot. While my feet stayed warm for a while, after a few hours some chill did set in. I don't believe this has to do with the boots insulating properties but rather the fact that my feet sweat badly no matter what I try.
The last few sits I tried a different approach - I wore heavyweight merino wool socks from basspro and used a grabber warmer toe warmer on each foot. This, without a doubt, provided the most foot warmth I have ever obtained from a boot for saddled hunting. My feet did not get a chill at all for the last few sits. And this was on arguably the worst day of weather for the season yet - temps in the teens and high winds with a windchill hovering around 0. They stayed nice and toasty.
Lastly, you are probably wondering about the bulk of the boot and climbing / using tree steps and/or climbing sticks or walking through the woods you need not be worried. In my case I hunted from trees setup with tree steps and a freelance hunt with my lonewolf climbing sticks. Both times the bulk was a non-issue and was able to climb without issue. I actually found my foot comfortable increased substantially because the bulk of the boot. I also found that walking through the woods the baffins did not render an awkward step and I was able to navigate through a picked bean field, 6" of standing water, and downed foliage with relative ease while remaining pretty quiet.
One thing that is worth noting as far as quality goes is in regards to the gaiter. The second time I wore these boots I attempted to snug the drawstring of the gaiter as tight as I could get it. This proved to be flawed as I actually tore the gromet right out of the nylon gaiter material. Thankfully Zappos awesome customer service sent me a brand new pair and exchanged the damaged ones (zappos rocks!)
Closing thoughts:
Extremely warm and bulky rubber boots from baffins. These are very warm and very substantial boots. If you're a scent-freak and demand rubber boots for hunting then these might be perfect for late season hunts when the weather dips.
Recommended for use with a saddle?
Yes. I highly recommend baffin titans for scent control freaks who want a well made rubber boot with a crazy thick insulating liner to keep your toes toasty for late season sits.
Pictures
Titans next to a size 12 running shoe
Titans next to a size 12 sorel pac boot
Super-wide ankle - might want to try these under your bibs before you buy!
The insulating insert and waffle-pattern sole insert from the interior of the boot
1" of polyester foam insulation
Next to my 20lb, 8-month old infant son
Grommet that tore out of the nylon gaiter material after aggressively trying to tighten the gaiters in cold weather
http://www.baffin.com/product-p/23550000.htm
MSRP/Purchased Price:
$109.99 USD
Purchased from:
bought online from Zappos.com
Initial Impressions:
I had read that these boots were big. But by the huge box I received from Zappos I knew they were going to be a lot bigger than I anticipated.
After unpacking from the huge zappos box I was immediately struck by a strong rubbery chemical odor coming from the boots. These things stunk like chemicals. After thoroughly inspecting and removing the huge boot liner I was feeling rather confident that these would be a great cold weather boot.
The rubber seemed to be tough and the boot liner was unlike anything i've ever seen. Overall I was excited to try these out, as i've always had issues keeping my feet warm in colder weather hunting.
I tried them on immediately to see how the fit and feel would be. Kind of like walking on pillows. I was somewhat worried this might make for awkward traversing in the woods because of how large and clunky they felt. I also was unsure how my bib pant legs would fit - if they did at all - around them since the ankle area was so wide on the boot. These boots are, by far and large, the bulkiest boots I have ever seen. You wont be doing any driving with these or delicate foot tasks.
Quality:
The material and construction was very high quality. While I do have some doubts if the rubber would be as tough as my lacrosse aeroheads I do not expect to put them through the same type of abuses for late season hunts. The tread pattern also appeared very durable. The liners are just on a different planet. I have never seen anything like these.
Sizing & Fit:
I purchased a size 13 - a whole size larger than what I would normally wear for a shoe/boot, which is a size 12. The reason was because I had read that to keep comfortable for cold weather sits your feet need an 'air pocket' in which to insulate and collect warm air.
It is also worth noting I have a very wide toebox with high arches. The biggest issue I run into with footwear is it being too narrow. I was slightly worried that these might be narrow based on reviews, but the fit was good and they did not squeeze my feet into an uncomfortable position.
Features:
The Titan's have a couple of features which make them an innovative cold-weather boot.
The first is the gaiter at the top of the boot. The gaiter is made of a nylon material and has a drawstring to tighten around your calf to keep snow/precipitation out.
The second is the 1" thick removable boot liner. This thing just screams warmth. This liner is what is responsible for the design and bulk of the boot.
The last feature is a waffle-pattern sole insert. I assume that it was designed this way to allow moisture to collect at the bottom of the boot and not in the liner itself, which was later affirmed by some field testing.
Field-tested?
Yes. Used for 6 sits in the 2014 MI hunting season, in temps ranging from 10F-30F. a
I was really excited to try these boots out. I had some reservations about how bulky they were, however, but those proved to be somewhat groundless.
I wore these boots on some of the coldest days of the season in MI, all saddle hunts, from hunting heights of approx. 20-25 ft.
The first few sits I simply wore thin liner socks with the boot. While my feet stayed warm for a while, after a few hours some chill did set in. I don't believe this has to do with the boots insulating properties but rather the fact that my feet sweat badly no matter what I try.
The last few sits I tried a different approach - I wore heavyweight merino wool socks from basspro and used a grabber warmer toe warmer on each foot. This, without a doubt, provided the most foot warmth I have ever obtained from a boot for saddled hunting. My feet did not get a chill at all for the last few sits. And this was on arguably the worst day of weather for the season yet - temps in the teens and high winds with a windchill hovering around 0. They stayed nice and toasty.
Lastly, you are probably wondering about the bulk of the boot and climbing / using tree steps and/or climbing sticks or walking through the woods you need not be worried. In my case I hunted from trees setup with tree steps and a freelance hunt with my lonewolf climbing sticks. Both times the bulk was a non-issue and was able to climb without issue. I actually found my foot comfortable increased substantially because the bulk of the boot. I also found that walking through the woods the baffins did not render an awkward step and I was able to navigate through a picked bean field, 6" of standing water, and downed foliage with relative ease while remaining pretty quiet.
One thing that is worth noting as far as quality goes is in regards to the gaiter. The second time I wore these boots I attempted to snug the drawstring of the gaiter as tight as I could get it. This proved to be flawed as I actually tore the gromet right out of the nylon gaiter material. Thankfully Zappos awesome customer service sent me a brand new pair and exchanged the damaged ones (zappos rocks!)
Closing thoughts:
Extremely warm and bulky rubber boots from baffins. These are very warm and very substantial boots. If you're a scent-freak and demand rubber boots for hunting then these might be perfect for late season hunts when the weather dips.
Recommended for use with a saddle?
Yes. I highly recommend baffin titans for scent control freaks who want a well made rubber boot with a crazy thick insulating liner to keep your toes toasty for late season sits.
Pictures
Titans next to a size 12 running shoe
Titans next to a size 12 sorel pac boot
Super-wide ankle - might want to try these under your bibs before you buy!
The insulating insert and waffle-pattern sole insert from the interior of the boot
1" of polyester foam insulation
Next to my 20lb, 8-month old infant son
Grommet that tore out of the nylon gaiter material after aggressively trying to tighten the gaiters in cold weather
