Polar Fox Boots
Demetrius Dade
Use this guide to select the appropriate size for your dog. Measure across widest part of the paw when bearing weight. If between sizes, size down. Dogs can have larger front paws than rear paws - measure all paws.
Set of TWO boots. Many dogs have wider front paws than rear paws. We offer our boots in sets of two so you can order the appropriate sizes for a good fit on both the front and rear paws.
One note: Proper gear is just one aspect of polar travel. Developing skills, planning and logistics, understanding the polar environment, and knowing how to minimize risk are all equally important. If you would like to fast-track your development as a polar traveler, consider hiring an IPGA Polar Expedition Guide.
The toe piece on all our boots came apart and the side walls of our bindings broke. The next models had a crossbar from wall to wall which solved this problem, such as G3 Targa that we used in Patagonia in 2000.
Three-pin bindings were very common and are still used by some diehards. I used them on my Ellesmere Island expedition in 1992 and maybe even my Greenland crossing in 1995. Two clients used them when I guided the route from the Messner Start to the South Pole for ALE in 2007-08.
The holes in the underside of the toe would fill with snow which, when engaged into the pins and clamped down, would turn to ice and remain in the steel insert within the toe. Subsequent entries meant more icing and a deteriorating engagement between pins and plate. They would catch only the rubber part of the toe which would eventually rip out. After a few tears, the rubber would become too damaged and the system would ultimately fail.
Salomon introduced the SNS binding sometime in the 1980s. Their Profil model was the first straight bar integrated into the toe of the boot. They later introduced a heavier version for backcountry, but NNN (New Nordic Norm) became more popular and their BC model became somewhat of a backcountry standard.
It is still used widely today but the mechanism is very prone to clogging with ice and I have seen some clamp mechanisms break. There is a manual and step-in version and of course, it requires a dedicated (and very expensive) boot. Alfa A/P/S is the standard polar-climate boot for this binding.
This kind of binding with the pivot point forward of the toe and a rubber flexor to create forward momentum of the ski encourages a more classic Nordic ski style rather than a plod. However, there are so many factors that will bring a manhauling skier using this system back to a plod.
I first used these while skiing from Russia to the North Pole with Jon Muir in 2002. I modeled it on a snowboard binding, using straps rather than toe pieces or cables to secure the boot to the binding. This completely eliminated any toe connection.
But is it polar-rated? It concerns me that the system relies on internal spring pins on either side of the boot toe, perhaps vulnerable to icing up and malfunction, particularly after a dunking through thin ice on the Arctic Ocean.
The binding itself might be less prone to the icing up common in NNN BC (which can ultimately lead to failure of the mechanism), but the binding release relies on a potentially vulnerable spring. The exchangeable flexor appears to be difficult to replace or service in the field. Xplore is super light, maybe a red flag? However, I will keep an eye on this promising system.
Hauling a heavy sled creates the same angles, so it makes sense to relieve the stress with heel risers. In 1998, we each started with 190kg, skiing from Ross Island to the South Pole, and the risers were excellent. Judging by my photos, we used them a fair way across the Ross Ice Shelf. We also used them in Patagonia, but mainly for the slopes, as we do on our Aussie snowshoe trips.
As warmth was a primary consideration for sub-zero day-hiking we wanted something equivalent to the Sorel/LLBean boots. After reading many reviews we settled on Keen Revel IV High Polar boots, advertised as good to -40 degF. I found that the Caribou is also rated to -40 degF, so I figured that they were equivalent (not clear how well either would actually do at -40 degF, perhaps if you wore really large boots with multiple thick socks and were active). Our target was around -20 degF, the coldest we typically get on our winter vacations to the Adirondack Mountains of NY.
My size 11 1/2 weigh 1 lb 13.5 oz per boot as compared to 2 lb 13.5 oz for the Caribous, or a full 1 lb lighter. For comparison my size 11 Merrell Moab ventilator low hikers weigh in at 1 lb 1 1.5 oz. Keen makes a mid version of the Revel IV, I believe the weight difference is minimal and we really went for the warmth.
Looks sturdy, this is my Second OM bag last one lasted 3 years of abuse before I tore the boot compartment seams and 2 more years after before i pulled the trigger on a new bag after fighting it being somewhat broken. All my old stuff in my 60L bag fits in the new bag (50L) just 2 less pockets on the sides. Fit 2 full sets of gear in the middle plus my helmet. 2 sets gloves and 4 face masks on the sides. Hopefully this bag will also stand the test of time.
I can throw my boots and usual gear (helmet, gloves, goggles, backpack; I've even stuffed my big ski bibs in here), and it all seems to fit. At first I was concerned about the zippers, but hey, no problems at all. It gets dirty in the bed of the truck--I just hose it off. Pretty happy with this bag.
The thermal riding boots for women are made with oxford fabric as shell and have a faux fur lining. The steady waterproof sole ensures grip and prevents you from slipping. The hook-and-loop fastening straps along the shaft make them easy to put on and adjust the width. The reflective patches at the straps ensure night time visibility.
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The Alfa boots were very comfortable and worn for the first time on a trip to the Arctic. The inner liners were very warm ( in temperatures below minus 28. deg C ) and extremely comfortable. Absolutely no pressure ares or rubs anywhere. Rodri from Nordilife was excellent with advising the correct fitting . Highly recommend. They are gortex so when my daughter put her foot through the ice, her foot remained dry. Absolutely crucial out there .
Used these with the Intuition liners over a 600km+ Greenland crossing and had no issues whatsoever. Not being an experienced skier, I was cautious about spending the money on these boots. But after trying on several sizes with Rhodri I realised these boots were of great quality and I'd be kicking myself later if I went for anything less. They performed fantastic over every type of terrain, with Ousland ski's, crampons and just on foot over rocky terrain. Back home now they look like the pin and boot could do the crossing all over again.
KEEN's Revel IV High Polar Boots have 400g insulation and are rated to -40F. They're super comfortable for winter hiking boots with a fleece-lined collar and tongue, making them wearable out of the box with little to no breaking time.
With a temperature rating of -40F/-40C, the Revel IV is insulated with environmentally friendly charcoal and bamboo, instead of the usual Thinsulate used by most other winter boot manufacturers. The upper cuff and tongue are covered with fleece while the exterior is covered in leather with ballistic nylon in high flex areas.
The Revel IV has a large front toe kick for toe protection and a reinforced heel counter to lock your heel in place and prevent pronation. Ridges on the back of the heel help keep snowshoe, crampon, or microspike straps secure which is a real plus for more technical winter hikes from traction aids are required. However, the boots have a very shallow mid-sole arch which can prove challenging if you wear gaiters with a thick stirrup strap, like OR Crocodiles, as it can cause abrasion if you walk on surfaces that are not covered with snow and ice.
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I just looked up these boots for women in the mid and the description says they are made with 200g insulation. I found the same to be true with my current Solomon insulated boots. The mid has 200g of insulation versus the 400g in the taller boots.
THIS IS A MUST for overnight camping where drying your boot insulation is impossible. Also in that situation you need to put the boots in a stuff sack and in the bottom of your sleeping bag.
(You did get a size Long winter bag for all that stuff you need to keep warm, right?)
The Revel IV Polar uses synthetic insulation to add warmth to the boot. Unfortunately, there isn't much of it, and our feet didn't stay warm in these boots when the temperature dipped below freezing. Even during our cold-water submersion tests in a local creek, our feet got cold quickly. We don't recommend these boots if your winter involves spending a lot of time outside in the snow or freezing temperatures.
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