L.L. Bean Maine hunting boot

[ChuckC]

Has anybody worn these in western Colorado elk hunting conditions ?  I have a favorite pair of boots and they are on their last leg.  

Considering a pair of these but not sure if they are suitable for up and down kinda hiking. I am not so worried about traction as I am the boot fitting to my foot so blisters are not a worry.

Comments ?
ChuckC

[woodslinger]

I have a ton of miles in them and they are a good light weight fairly waterproof boot. They don't have a bunch of arch or ankle support and lack some cushion but you can feel the ground well. I like them for hunting the swamps and thickets here in Maine but would pick a different boot for the mountains.

[Charlie Lamb]

Chuck... Back when I was a lot younger I logged a ton of miles in Bean boots in the mountains of western Wyoming.

Never had a problem with them. If you don't have back problems or foot problems I recommend them.

They can be a little warm and cause your feet to sweat, but are one of the most comfortable boots you can put on your feet.

With the right sock(s)they are even comfortable in fairly cold conditions.

[Blackhawk]

I have two pair and use them for eastern Washington deer/elk. They fit great, are light, very quiet, provide plenty of traction, keeps your feet dry, and lasts for years.  

I just sent one pair back (after more than 20 years of use) to have the rubber bottoms replaced after they developed some cracking.  LL provided great service and a quick return.

This is a wonderful boot for fall hunting conditions and would recommend.

[Ringneck]

I wear them for pheasant hunting and as woodslinger stated they don't have much ankle support. I bought a pair of Danner Jackals to use for elk hunting this season. They have more support.

[ChuckC]

Thanks.. even more reports are welcome.  

I walk around a BUNCH in fake Croc's or whatever those stupid rubber things are called and they have NO support of any kind.  I would LOVE to go huntin in them, but would probably walk right out of them in a minute.  I don't have a bunch of problem with support, and I owned a pair of the pull on version all those years ago.. loved em.  Charlie you are right, and they are great for sneaking and such.

I am more worried that they won't fit my foot well and will slide around.  For my foot, that is what causes blisters.  The rest I can handle.

Still considering them.
ChuckC

[Don Stokes]

I've worn out several pairs, including several trips to Colorado in rugged terrain. I currently have two pair. I alternate them so they can dry out between uses. The only time I don't hunt in them is when it's really cold, then I use felt-lined packs. I tried some Beans with thinsulate, but they weren't warm enough for me.

[Fletcher]

Chuck, light polypro liner socks will go a long ways toward preventing blisters.  Even if your feet do slide around in the boot, it will be the liner socks doing the sliding, not your foot.  No blisters!

I wear beans boots a lot for hiking and stalking.  I'd think they would do fine unless you were packing  some meat.  You can keep a set of hikers in camp for that.

[ChuckC]

fletcher.  

I hear ya bout them liners.  I am adamant about those.  I always wear either silk or polypro liners and, believe it or not, heavy wool socks over those.  So far I have never had blisters in the mountians.  

ChuckC

[Roadkill]

I am a person who wears my Beans all the time-while on flat ground.  I find that the torque on hillsides tends to roll my socks inside the boot.  They are light, quiet and warm on Fall days, but -JMO- they are not good in mountains.  I have more than a few miles in mountains around the world, and I have Danners for serious up-down and especially side hills.

[Barry Wensel]

As everyone stated above the L.L. Bean hunting boots are generally excellent. That's about all I wore for almost 30 years in Montana with no problems. About 35 years ago they used to make a six inch featherweight rubber bottom/leather top that was the best stalking boot I ever saw. The tread wasn't the normal chain link deal but rather a series of little points that looked similar to wood checkering. Per usual, when something is good they quit making it. Totally coincidental, earlier this afternoon I was talking to the Croc people regarding a boot they are supposedly working on. Google up "Crocs" and hit on their footwear website. You'll see a model called the "All Terrain". Basically it's a shoe with Croc bottoms with three hole laced leather tops. They are an excellent camp shoe and I swear only weigh a couple ounces. Anyway, they informed me today they are supposedly bringing out a Croc model similar to a hiking boot that will be 6" high. The All Terrains are new and I have not tested them yet, but a similar boot with a six inch top to keep out the chiggers and seeds should be an excellent, extremely lightweight general bowhunting shoe. I know the bottoms supposedly mold to the shape of your foot so they should be exremely comfortable. We'll see. BW

[slabsides]

The bottoms being rubber don't mold to the foot, which makes you slide around inside it. Hot in hot weather, cold in cold. I'm a Mainer who DOESN't care for the Bean boot, and I've had a pair for 30 years (they're good for shoveling the driveway.)

[Ron LaClair]

Barry,

They make an 8" boot that looks pretty good

 http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=31179&productId=197756&qs=5686472-Google_Product_Submit

[Barry Wensel]

Ron: Yeah, that's the one I used for years to replace the featherweights. Because the rubber and leather were heavier duty they lasted longer than the featherweights, but weren't as easy to feel the ground. In recent years I've gone to the pull-on's for most whitetail hunting. Can you still lace a pair of boots all the way up without coming up for air? :^)  BW

[Outwest]

I would not hunt elk in anything but a sturdy leather boot with good ankle support and a good fit to prevent blisters. Also I would not wear a new boot hunting. They need to be broken in somewhat.
Steep rocky ground can ruin your feet and your hunt if you are wearing the wrong boot.

John

[Dave2old]

Guys, I believe we are referring to the Main Hunting "Shoe," a specific model of boot that differs from a similar one they call the Main Hunting Boot. They're all I wear to hunt early season elk here in Colorado, with only an insert footbed liner. Quiet, essentially scentless, was waterproof as a leather-upper can be, lightweight and I just lace 'em up real tight for ankle support when backpacking or packing meat. I just wish they' put lacing hooks on the top half instead of eyelets, which are hard to use when your hands are cold. dave

[shootssmallbulls]

I really enjoy mine they work great with a super feet insole.keep my feet perfectly dry. I use em fer moose huntin here in ak, the only downside is,in my opinion there alittle soft for my tastes,but I still love them and will use them for many seasons to come.

[Roadkill]

Remember when you sent your leather uppers back to Bean and they put on a new leather bottom?  I have some 16 inch leather s that need a new bottom.  They have lacing hooks-used to be an option.  I wear mine all winter long here in NV.

Barry, a few years ago I wouldn't have known what that air comment meant-I'm past 60 and understand-too well.

[George D. Stout]

Barry....I know what the coming up for air is, but since I lost thirty pounds it isn't necessary 8^).

[Blackhawk]

Did I say I love my Beans?