North Pole, 2008

The 2008 North Pole expedition was a meaningful milestone for Baffin – a true family affair. Led by polar explorer Doug Stoup, Paul Hubner embarked on this Arctic journey with his sons, Mark and Brent, making it as much about bonding as it was about endurance and innovation. 

The extreme environment offered an ideal proving ground for early prototypes of what would become the Baffin Apparel System. Among the most memorable product insights was the inspiration for what’s now known as the FOG-OFF FACE MASK. In Paul’s words: 

“Cold, blowing icy winds meant we had to keep our goggles on and faces fully covered. Ice would build up inside and out, making it incredibly uncomfortable. Taking a break meant dragging a frozen mask down across your neck just to sip from a thermos – then reshaping it to your face before moving again. Part of me needed the rest; the other part dreaded the bone-rattling Arctic chill that came with stopping. But even with that, this trek has been everything I hoped for and more.” - Paul Hubner, upon reaching the Geographic North Pole.

Grueling, inspiring, and unforgettable – this expedition marked a turning point not only in product development, but in the personal story behind Baffin’s pursuit of performance in the world’s most extreme environments. 

Explorers:  Doug Stoup, Paul Hubner, Mark Hubner, Brent Hubner