LL Bean boots

[fryguy]

Can anyone tell me about these boots good or bad? The rubber bottom/leather upper style. Say they're wool lined, but i don't know if its actual wool or not. I've always had trouble keeping my feet warm, just seeing if you guys had any expierience with these. Thanks guys.

[meathead]

Never tried the wool lined ones, but I wear the unlined ones all the time as long as the temps are above 30 or so.

[fisherick]

I've had the same pair for 25 years and had the bottoms replaced about 10 years ago. The original had a 200 gram thinsulate/gortex sewn in liner that when rebuilt I requested it to be removeable so I could use it with just double up socks. The sole is a thin chain grip pattern that may not provide a sure grip on wet/snowy slopes. It is a great boot for stalking and still hunting. For treestand use below 35-40* I"ll use bootblanket over them.

[ti-guy]

I've got an unlined pair for warmer day and a pair with gortex liner for colder days.Excellent boots,they are lightweight and you can fell the forest floor.When we got frost or snow I have to upgrade with warmer boots.You can't go wrong with thes boots,well made and durable.

[Roger Norris]

I have never had the lined version. The unined ones are great. Also check out Schnees.

[Marc B.]

I have a pair that is insulated I've been wearing for 21 seasons now. I also have an uninsulated pair that is on season 11. They are not great when its really cold and tread pattern doesn't work well on wet leaves in steep places. With all that said I love mine.

[katie]

I have the unlined Maine Hunting Shoe (boot) and love it. I put a stick-on toe warmer on the bottom of my socks when the temps drop. I have a lined pair on order. They do run funny so read up on size before you buy.

[fryguy]

Thanks for the replies. katie, on the sizing...do they tend to run big or small?

[Marc B.]

A pair of heavy SmartWool hunting socks with a pair of liner socks fit great in my unlined and tight in my insulated pair.

[Duncan]

Usually don't need lined boots here in NC but when I do I prefer removable liners. Been using Bean boots since 1980. Have had 3 pair and they can be re-soled.

[USN_Sam1385]

Best boots I have ever had.

Get the Original Maine Hunting Shoe however.

Mine are everything I hoped that they would be.

Like some of the other users said, pay close attention to the size chart. I wear an 11 regular and ordered a 10 narrow and it fits perfectly. They run about a size big, and extra wide.

[Geezer]

I was lucky enough to buy a pair of Maine Hunting Shoes when they made them with a Bean Bob sole. They really do grip well and I wouldn't have bought them if the chain tread was the only available sole. I use the LL's when its wet but learned that below 30d my feet get cold.  If you're thinking of a shoe for stand/sitting, take a look at Schnee's.  I like both my LL's and Schnee's but there is a place and time for both of them.

[Shedrock]

I bought a pair of the lambs wool lined, but sent them back. The tongues are not sewn to the sides of the boot. Snow and water will come right in. The grip on the soles are lousy. I would be sliding down the mountains in these things. Like other poeple have said, "these boots are for the city slicker, yuppie types" I agree 100%. Not for hunting at all. I am looking at Hoffmans, $100 chaeper than Schees.

[Richard in OK]

You'll probably want to put a good footbed in the boot. It won't affect the feel of the ground, but it will give you better support.

[DeCurry]

I got a pair of their unlined 'shoes' (12-inch high version) this season as I got tired of my thick, hard-soled hiking boots not allowing me to feel the ground.  These definitely allow you to feel the ground, and I can also move fairly quietly in them.  If you get the right size, they fit like a second pair of skin and are very comfortable walking/standing and also in various temperatures (I've worn them so far with medium weight wool socks in 40-80 degree weather).

However, these are not meant for any type of hilly or mountainous terrain, the bottom tread is simply not made for it; they're best suited for flatter areas.

I do not like the lace up system they use.  It's just being stubborn on their part in my opinion to say their boot is unchanged after ~100 years; even the M1911 got some worthwhile updates, heh.  These are nice boots, but some improvements over the years exist because... they're improvements.  Because of the laces, I find getting the boots on/off the only real annoying part of wearing them as it can take much longer to get these on/off than any other shoes/boots I own.  Hook-loops or whatever they're called for the laces rather than eyelets would be an improvement.  (And looking at the aforementioned Hoffmans, I see they have this feature and others I would've liked to have seen in these boots... doh.)

[Austin Brown]

Originally posted by Shedrock:
I bought a pair of the lambs wool lined, but sent them back. The tongues are not sewn to the sides of the boot. Snow and water will come right in. The grip on the soles are lousy. I would be sliding down the mountains in these things. Like other poeple have said, "these boots are for the city slicker, yuppie types" I agree 100%. Not for hunting at all. I am looking at Hoffmans, $100 chaeper than Schees.

Normally like most of your posts, but totally disagree on this one.  I couldn't be further from the city slicker, yuppy type and these boots have been great for all kinds of uses for going on 15 years now.  The pair you had may not have worked for the terrain/climate your in, but mine have served me well.  They are Thinsulate/Gortex and have kept my feet warm and dry all types of hunting, working, and winter crappie fishing.  But I'm in west Kentucky, not out west.  May not be the best for uber cold temps and steep, rocky terrain though.

[katie]

Originally posted by fryguy:
Thanks for the replies. katie, on the sizing...do they tend to run big or small?

I wear a 7 1/2 shoe and wear a 6 with a light sock and a 7 with my heavy winter socks.

I like them because I can feel the ground. It allows me to be quiet while I stalk. I wear leather Arrow Mocs early season. I wear the LL Bean's when it is wet and I need more traction.

[fryguy]

Thanks for all your input guys, I appreciate it.

[guspup]

Just read it is the 100th anniversary of the LL Bean Boot and they are putting out a vintage version with the original red looking sole. I figure being around a 100 years they gotta be as good in the woods as they are wearing to starbucks :-)

[Roadkill]

3 pairs, from real high to 10 inch to slip ons.  My tall pair have been with me since 1979.  10 incers ince 1990.  Do not try to climb steep terrain.  I walked to to 21 yards from 3 mulies last weekend. Yep quiet on the shaly desert.  Socks vary by thickness and weight give you cold pprotection.  Love mine, obviously