Information on Pac Boots in Alaska

"Pac" is not an acronym but a shortened form of "shoepac," a word used by Delaware Indians for "shoe with an extra sole." To Alaskans and other northerners, it means warmth for one's feet in very cold weather, even in temperatures 60 degrees below zero.

  1. Boot Essentials

    • For Alaskans, pac boots are essential for many outdoor activities such as working in mining and oil industries, hunting, ice fishing and dog sledding. The boots must do more than keep cold out. For work purposes, the waterproof shell should resist oil and acid. The toe and vamp (shell above the foot) should be reinforced. The removable inner liner, some with up to eight layers of material, must trap heat and whisk away moisture from the foot. In addition, the boots must be comfortable, because workers and sportsmen might be in them around the clock. High-tech lacing or fasteners can make the boots easy to put on and take off.

    Testing Standards

    • Outdoor work in Alaska demands all-around protective wear.

      The top-line pac boots meet the stringent standards of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Boots are rated for their "cold appeal"; for instance, the Baffin Pac Boot is rated to minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit. For outdoor Alaskan life, a minus-60 rating should be the minimum.

    Prices

    • Pac boots are manufactured for men, women and children, for extreme outdoor sports and work as well as for more leisurely and less extreme conditions. For 2010, prices varied from $70 to $200-plus. A buyer should check the ratings and quality, because in sub-freezing conditions a bargain can prove uncomfortable, even life-threatening.