LLBean Boot Ankle Biters - the fix is in ...

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by NoCams:
Just got my LL Bean catalog and on page 42 is the Bean boots. Across the page on pag 43 is the Maine Hunting Shoes. They look identical... ? What is the diff guys ? Both are rubber bottom and leather uppers.

all the same, a tad more or less.  if uninsulated, you may hafta deal with the 'ankle biter' (but now you know 'bout the fix).

[GO Rogers]

Gotta pair, humm must be 25 years old or so.....Love em.

[Rooselk]

The sole on the Hunting Shoe version is a little different than the Bean Boot. If you're primarily interested in using the boots for quietly stalking in the woods then it's the Hunting Shoe that you want. The sole has more the feel of a moccasin.

[Rob DiStefano]

i like these 8" uninsulated beans 'cause the tongue is stitched to the entire side and right to the top, making it quite waterproof for the full 8" height.  imo, all these bean boots are compromises, that can get you by for different reasons.  

that they handle the wet and mud very well is their strong point.  however, they're not at all for serious hike-hunting as they don't have the proper last or foot control, and are just too heavy.  

i wore these boots last june in sc while pig hunting and they handled all the stalking and slopping in the bogs and streams quite well (well, save for the dang ankle biting).  

if the sc terrain wasn't so boggy wet i'd use my 4" hi-tec altitudes , they're an amazing ultra-light boot for spot'n'stalk and serious mountainous hike-hunts.

[GingivitisKahn]

Originally posted by Jim from Maine, now in Kentucky:
I'm with flingblade. My Beanes drag my socks down. Within 100 yards they are halfway down. I keep stopping to pull them up.

Any cures for this?

Might have to try the leather thing too - cool idea.  For me, the sock munching problem goes away when I tuck my pants into my boots.

[ronp]

I have to try this in both pairs of my Bean boots.  Thanks for the tip, Rob.

[Spectre]

This is why I stick with White's boots.

[smokin joe]

Rob,
Great idea -- I wish I had thought of that. I had the same problem with my Bean Main Hunting Shoes and cured it by adding gel inner soles. They raised my feet up inside the boot and that kept them from rubbing.
Joe

[Jock Whisky]

If you have a problem with your socks sliding down or your feet sweating in rubber boots try Bama Sox. They are a blue bootie that fits over your socks like a pair of slippers. Your socks will stay up and if your feet sweat they will absorb the moisture. I've been using them for nearly 40 years and wouldn't put a pair of boots on without them.

JW

[highnoonhunter]

Great fix Rob!
I bought several pair of Herman Survivors at Wally World a few years back on closeout.
All were different styles, but every pair bit your ankle if you done much side hill walking, due to a plastic insert to support the heel area!

I finally gave them away to my nephews.........
hmmmm...... no wonder them boys don't go outside much....................

[sj_lutz]

I guess I'm also one of the lucky ones, never had a problem with my Bean's.  That said, my current pair will likely need to be re-soled before next fall, will keep this in mind if I get a problem then.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by sj_lutz:
I guess I'm also one of the lucky ones, never had a problem with my Bean's.  That said, my current pair will likely need to be re-soled before next fall, will keep this in mind if I get a problem then.

ya'll probably have ingrown ankles.  :D  j/k!

[Jim now in Kentucky]

GingivitisKahn:

    "For me, the sock munching problem goes away when I tuck my pants into my boots."

That could work for me here in Kentucky. When I lived in Maine, I learned early on to leave my pant legs outside the boots. It's the only way to keep the snow out if you're wading in two feet of it!