Stillhunting - longbow and Bean Main Hunting Shoes

[GingivitisKahn]

Anyone else wear these?  If so, what is the secret to 1) keep them from eating your socks and 2) stop them squeaking?

I've been wearing mine already when attempting to coax bushytails to withing longbow range but find that I have to stop frequently to excavate my socks from around my toes.  Any advice?

[Kevin L.]

I like to use a very thin liner sock under a ragg wool sock with mine. The wool sock stays with the boot and slides easily over the liner. Also helps prevent blisters when your day turns out to be a lot farther than you had planned.

As for squeaking, give the leather a good cleaning, then dress with Montana Pitch Blend. Take out the laces and really get it in the nooks and crannies. I use the wife's hair dryer to melt it in, really gets it into the stitching and the hard to reach spots.

[Pennsyltuckey pete]

To keep my socks in place I use the tall wool socks as the outer sock and fold it over the top of the boot.  As far as dressing the leather just make sure the dressing you use is not a strong scented dressing. Bust ya every time!

pete

[Don Stokes]

Two pair of socks does it for me, thicker over thinner. My favorite boot, all I've worn for a few decades. Mine squeak right now too- got to give them a good cleaning and treatment.

[vtmtnman]

Originally posted by Pennsyltuckey pete:
To keep my socks in place I use the tall wool socks as the outer sock and fold it over the top of the boot.  As far as dressing the leather just make sure the dressing you use is not a strong scented dressing. Bust ya every time!

pete

   

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Be careful with the Bean boots.  Dad wore them all the time years ago - he put lots of miles on, walked through a pair every year hunting whitetails - but he attributes alot of hip/back problems to these shoes.  No support and poor traction can lead to big problems over time.  I know lots of guys swear by them....but the guys I know that wore them and really put on miles mostly swear at them.  I've been dealing with some plantar fasciitis this summer (not due to Beans, but some other cheap work boots I wore this Spring) and it ain't no fun.  Take the advice for what its worth.....maybe not much...but I'd be careful.

R

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I wear Beans all the time, wore out one pair. As long as my socks are taller than the boots, no problems in the toe area. Never had a squeaking problem.

Not the best in hilly, leaf covered areas slick with ice though.

[44charlie]

watch out for things penetrating the sole. hawthorns for sure.

[LAR43]

Any wear on the sole can make for some exciting walking in wet or slippery conditions too!  

Larry

I wore LL Bean boots for years, exclusively. Now I have some other that I like better due to better tread and insulation. The key to wearing them is threefold: get the right size, get the supportive insole they sell, and wear 2 pairs of socks. I find that one size bigger than usual allows for either thick socks on top of liner socks, or thinner socks and a felt liner on top of the supportive insole. They will still make your feet sweat but the lack of support and sock problems are fixable. Though the chain tread is often insufficient, there is no better, lighter stalking boot than the 8" bean boot.

[Don Stokes]

I can't remember how many pair I've worn out in about 40 years. I use them without the insoles for better feel and less roll-over, and have had no problems with feet. I wear them in warmer weather with two pair of thick cotton socks, one or two pair thick wool over polypro liners in winter. I like the chain tread- it doesn't hold mud. You can order speed laces when you place your order for quick on-and-off. They recommend next size down.

[Bill Turner]

I wore the Bean boot for many years without problems. A few years ago I became disenchanted with their fit and lack of support and purchased a pair of Muck boots. I can't say enough good things about my "Mucks". Great fit. Good support. Easy on, easy off. Comfortable, waterproof, and durable. If I couldn't replace my Mucks, I would look hard at the Schnee boot before I would go back to the Beans. Good luck. If your feet hurt your hunting will suffer.

[straitera]

Definitely a Bean fan and have the heavy insulated Maine Hunting Boot (sz 13). It's way too hot for Texas however. I have other gumsoles including Beans I wear often. Can't think of a boot I'd rather wear w/wool knee-high socks.

[George D. Stout]

I have a pair of low cuts. They are quiet to wear in the woods, but they make my feet sweat and they are slippery in the leaves.  You can't wear them on the steep part of the mountain around here unless you like skiing.  They are okay for sneakin' around the creek bottom though.

[northener]

I agree with Ryan R. there are many boots better than these.   No ankle support, no arch support and slippery as ice in wet conditions.