6 Pac Boots For Canada Winter Backpacking That Handle Deep Snow and Ice
For Canadian winter backpacking, the right pac boot is crucial. We review 6 top models built to handle deep snow and ice with reliable warmth and traction.
You’re three hours into a snowshoe trek, breaking trail through waist-deep powder in Algonquin Park, and the sun is starting to dip below the spruce-lined horizon. This is the moment you’re either grateful for your footwear or desperately wishing you’d chosen differently. In a Canadian winter, your boots aren’t just for comfort; they are a critical piece of safety equipment that stands between you and serious cold-related injury.
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Key Features of Winter Backpacking Pac Boots
When you’re facing deep snow and frigid temperatures, a standard hiking boot won’t cut it. You need a Pac boot, a specific style of winter footwear designed for maximum insulation and protection. The classic Pac boot design features a waterproof rubber lower section bonded to a more flexible upper made of leather or nylon. This construction provides a fortress against slush and moisture.
The most crucial feature for multi-day trips is a removable liner. This allows you to pull the liner out at night and tuck it into your sleeping bag to dry. A wet liner will freeze solid overnight, making for a miserable and dangerous morning. Liners are typically made from thick felt or advanced multi-layer synthetic foams, each offering a different balance of warmth, moisture management, and durability.
Don’t get too caught up in temperature ratings. A -60°C rating doesn’t mean you’ll be comfortable at that temperature; it’s a manufacturer’s guideline for static activity. Pay more attention to the overall construction, the thickness of the liner, and the outsole. A deep, aggressive lug pattern is essential for gripping snow, but you’ll still need separate traction devices for ice. These boots are heavy, and that’s the tradeoff for the warmth and protection they provide.
Baffin Impact: Ultimate -100°C Expedition Boot
Stay warm and secure in extreme conditions with Baffin Impact Snow Boots. Featuring a locking snow collar, double buckle fastening, and a multi-layer inner boot system rated to -148 degrees, these boots deliver superior insulation and comfort.
Planning a trip to the Yukon in February or a deep winter expedition on the Canadian Shield? The Baffin Impact is built for the most severe cold you can find. It’s less of a boot and more of a personal survival system for your feet. With a temperature rating of -100°C, it’s designed to keep you safe when conditions are truly life-threatening.
The secret is its multi-layer inner boot system, which wicks moisture, traps heat, and reflects your body’s radiant energy back at you. The outer shell is a combination of tough nylon and a waterproof rubber base, built to withstand brutal conditions and abrasion from snowshoes. The lacing system is simple and can be operated with mitts on, a critical feature when dexterity is low.
The Baffin Impact is uncompromising in its mission for warmth, which means it is also heavy and bulky. Hiking long distances in them can feel like walking with weights on your feet. This is not the boot for a fast-and-light trip in the Rockies. It is the boot you choose when warmth at camp is a higher priority than agility on the trail, or when the consequences of cold feet are simply too high.
Sorel Glacier XT: A Classic for Deep Snow Drifts
Imagine post-holing through heavy, wet snow in the coastal mountains of British Columbia or navigating the deep drifts of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula. The Sorel Glacier XT is a modern take on the classic Pac boot that has been trusted for decades in exactly these conditions. It’s a workhorse designed to keep deep snow and slush out.
The Glacier XT features a durable, water-and-wind-resistant upper with a built-in gaiter and barrel-lock closure, which cinches tight to seal out powder. Inside, a 13mm ThermoPlus felt liner provides substantial insulation and can be easily removed for drying. The handcrafted waterproof vulcanized rubber shell is legendary for its durability and complete protection from meltwater.
This boot is a fantastic choice for trips where you expect deep, consistent snow cover. However, like many traditional Pac boots, it’s heavy and the fit is generous, which isn’t ideal for covering many kilometers of technical terrain. It shines for basecamp-style trips, ice fishing, or shorter snowshoe treks where its incredible protection from the elements outweighs its bulk.
Hoffman Explorer: Durability for Off-Trail Bush
If your winter adventures involve breaking your own trail through dense boreal forest or navigating fallen timber, you need a boot that prioritizes durability above all else. The Hoffman Explorer is built for people who are notoriously hard on their gear. It’s a favorite among loggers, trappers, and serious bushcrafters for its near-indestructible construction.
Unlike many Pac boots with fabric uppers, the Explorer features a heavy-duty, oil-tanned leather upper that resists abrasion from ice, rock, and branches. The key feature is its rebuildable construction; when the high-traction rubber bottom wears out, it can be replaced by the manufacturer. This makes it a long-term investment rather than a disposable piece of gear.
This level of durability comes with significant weight and a lengthy break-in period. The fit is more precise than a clunky Sorel, but it’s still a massive boot. The Hoffman Explorer is overkill for maintained trails, but for the off-trail adventurer who needs a boot that can be trusted for years of hard use, its repairability and toughness are unmatched.
Kamik Canuck: Reliable Warmth and Waterproofing
For the weekend warrior heading out for their first winter overnight or the seasoned hiker looking for a reliable, no-frills option, the Kamik Canuck is a fantastic choice. It delivers on the core promises of a Pac boot—warmth and waterproofing—at an accessible price point. This is the boot that gets the job done without requiring a massive investment.
With a -40°C temperature rating, the Canuck is more than warm enough for the vast majority of Canadian winter conditions. It features a classic waterproof rubber lower, a nylon upper, and an 8mm Zylex removable liner that effectively wicks moisture and retains heat. The design is simple, proven, and effective.
The tradeoff for the value is a less refined fit and potentially lower long-term durability compared to premium models. It might feel a bit clunky for long-distance trekking. But for building snow shelters, enjoying a weekend snowshoe trip, or staying warm around a winter campfire, the Kamik Canuck provides dependable performance where it counts.
Steger Mukluks: Traditional Breathable Cold Armor
For those who venture into the dry, deep cold of the Prairies or the Far North, there’s an alternative to the standard rubber-and-nylon Pac boot. Steger Mukluks are a traditional design optimized for breathability. In consistently sub-zero temperatures where slush isn’t a concern, managing sweat is the most important part of keeping feet warm.
Mukluks are made with a moosehide lower and a canvas upper, materials that allow moisture vapor to escape. This prevents the dampness that leads to chilled feet. They are incredibly lightweight and flexible, promoting natural foot movement and circulation, which also helps generate warmth. The flat rubber sole is designed for walking on snow, providing a feel for the ground that is lost in rigid boots.
This design has clear limitations. Mukluks are not waterproof and are a poor choice for the wet coastal winters or spring slush. They are a specialized tool for a specific environment: cold, dry snow. For those who understand their function, they offer unparalleled comfort and warmth by solving the problem of internal moisture buildup.
Columbia Bugaboot Celsius for High-Activity Treks
What if your trip involves more hiking and less sitting around? For high-output activities like winter peak-bagging or long-distance snowshoeing, a traditional Pac boot can be too warm and cumbersome, leading to sweaty, uncomfortable feet. The Columbia Bugaboot Celsius bridges the gap between a hiking boot and a full-on winter boot.
This boot offers a more athletic, nimble fit than a classic Pac boot, making it much more comfortable for covering ground. It uses modern materials, including Columbia’s Omni-Heat reflective lining, to provide significant warmth in a lighter, less bulky package. The Techlite midsole provides cushioning more akin to a hiker, and the outsole is designed for aggressive traction on mixed terrain.
The primary tradeoff is static warmth. While this boot excels when you’re moving and generating body heat, it doesn’t have the sheer insulating power of a Baffin or Sorel for long periods of inactivity at a frigid camp. It’s an excellent choice for the "on-the-move" portion of your trip, but you might consider packing a pair of insulated camp booties for the evenings.
Pairing Boots With Gaiters, Socks, and Traction
Your boots are only as good as the system you build around them. Thinking that a -100°C boot is all you need is a common mistake. To truly thrive in deep snow and on ice, you need to complete your footwear system with three key components.
First, gaiters are non-negotiable. A tall, waterproof gaiter creates a seal between your pants and your boot, preventing snow from getting inside. Even the tallest boots can’t stop deep powder from tumbling in from the top as you break trail. Second, your socks are your moisture management engine. Never wear cotton. Use a two-sock system: a thin synthetic or wool liner sock to wick sweat away from your skin, covered by a thick wool sock for insulation. Carry at least one extra pair of each.
Finally, even the best boot sole is no match for sheer ice. Always carry a traction device. For packed trails and moderate ice, a pair of microspikes is perfect. For deep, unconsolidated snow, you’ll need snowshoes. Your Pac boots are the platform, but these tools are what allow you to move safely and efficiently across variable winter terrain.
Choosing the right winter boot is about honestly assessing your destination, your activity level, and the conditions you expect to face. There is no single "best" boot, only the best boot for a specific job. Don’t let the search for the perfect gear keep you indoors—make an informed choice, build your system, and get out there to experience the quiet magic of the Canadian winter.
