Hoffman pac boots - Guide or Outback

[zach_c]

I am having trouble deciding between the Double Insulated Guide and the Outback. I did call Hoffman's and the person did tell me the Guide will be warmer, however the Outback has as the ankle lace strap, slightly smaller footprint, and weighs less. My main purpose for these are late season Idaho mountain hunts if the conditions are snow on the ground or persistent cold (-10F to 20F). In the late season, I would be hunting from a road camp or possibly backpacked in, lots of glassing and hiking. For comparison, for all other conditions I wear my uninsulated Lowa Caminos. I am just not sure if the Outbacks will be warm enough.

 

[Michael54]

Id call and talk to jim honestly. He hunts in that area and knows his products the best. One thing i can say is their customer service is awesome and he went above and beyond when i bought my hunters.

 

[BoulderMountain]

I ordered the Mountaineer for primarily stand hunting in the same temperature you mention. If I were walking much further than I am, I would want the Guide. The Outback looks great with the added support but I think in those temps sitting for long, you will get cold.

 

[sab]

I had the same dilemma a few years back. I called Hoffman and asked if they could add the ankle strap to their Voyager boot so that I could have the better support with the warmer boot, and they did it for me. Best of both worlds! Give them a call and ask them if they can put the ankle strap on their Guide boots for you.

 

[bhylton]

the outbacks are great for hiking as far a pac goes.. not that warm for me though. slightly warmer than my 200gr insulated crispis

 

[chinook907]

Really like my outbacks, don't know about the other types mentioned. I got tallest ones, and they feel surprisingly light. You can get 2 different weight liners for different temps. That's what I did.

 

[wind gypsy]

I had the same dilemma a few years back. I called Hoffman and asked if they could add the ankle strap to their Voyager boot so that I could have the better support with the warmer boot, and they did it for me. Best of both worlds! Give them a call and ask them if they can put the ankle strap on their Guide boots for you.

I did the exact same thing with voyagers + custom Outback strap adder. I’d probably look at the guides, the pro rubber bottoms seem a little bulkier even though they don’t have insulation built in like the guides. I’m not sure what the pros/cons are of thinsulate vs felt liners.. I would definitely call Jim and get a feel for the benefits of each option.

 

[zach_c]

Thanks for the replies. I ordered the Outback, +1 size, also with 400g liner.

 

[Nitrosteel]

How did the outback’s work for you, and what height did you order?

I’m in the same boat wanting to order one or the other on Monday.

Thank you
Nitrosteel

 

[264win]

I ordered the guides last year and really like them. They were plenty warm well below zero.

 

[Nitrosteel]

I ordered the 12” outbacks tonight with the 200 gram liners and an extra set of 400 gram liners. Hoping these will take care of my needs through Georgia turkey and archery/rifle deer season, and possibly for some whitetail hunting in Iowa and Oklahoma. If they aren’t warm enough for Georgia I’ll have plenty of time to rethink my boots for hunting the Midwest. If nothing else hopefully they’ll be a comfortable solution for local hunting without being too warm.