LL Beans or Schnees

[tracker12]

My trusty G H Bass Maine hunting boot finally gave out today and separated from the robber bottom to leather upper.  Bass no longer makes them and I have no idea where to get them repaired.  Loosing these are like loosing an old friend.  

Trying to decide whether to replace them with LL Bean or Schnees.  The last time I looked at the LL bean the quality did not look as good as the old ones.  That being said I have never owed anything from Schnees but review seem to be pretty good.

[stykbow67]

If your wanting uninsulated I'd stick with the Beans, I've got a pair that's probably 6-7 yrs old and they're wearing fine. If your wanting something insulated then definitely look at the Schnees Outfitter II  with T/T soles they're good down to about 20*.

Steve

[FBB]

Schnees are hard to beat for that style of boot imo. I have 3 pair and my brother has 3 pair also. We both wear size 15 so our choice is limited but they're comfortable to walk in and keep my feet warm. The extremes are nice and warm down to around zero. I doubt that you would be disappointed.

[Pete McMiller]

Don't know what you want in a boot so it's hard to say.  I've had the uninsulated Beans years ago and since then LaCrosse and now Schnee's.  My favorite for lightly insulated pac boots are the Schnee's.  Very comfortable and well made.  The air-bob soles offer good traction as well.

[Terry Lightle]

I have the Schnees Outfitter II and am happy with them

[Roger Norris]

Schnees, hands down,  are twice the quality

[tracker12]

Looking for uninsulated.

[Roger Norris]

My Schnees are uninsulated. I live in them most of the hunting season.  On real cold days I set my feet on a piece of wool while on stand.

[NittanyRider]

Roger - which ones do you have... Guide ADV or T/T?  I like the traction of the air bob sole, but am always impressed with how quiet the tire tread soles are on my bean boots.

[Kevin Dill]

If it makes any difference: Monty Browning's favorite pair of everyday boots in the Alaskan bush is the LL Bean hunting boot. He beats them hard (trust me) and they don't fail.

Me...I've owned both and they are good boots. Schnee's has a good warranty and LL Bean has a lifetime return guarantee. Both are USA crafted. The Schnee's are typically heavier in weight and built for tougher duty. The Beaners are more of an eastern style boot in my mind. Neither boot is completely waterproof. If I was going to use the boots for serious long hikes and carrying packs I would likely get the Schnee's. For general purpose deer and situations requiring a boot you can use many ways, the LL Bean boot is a very good one.

[ChuckC]

I have never worn the Schnee's but I have looked at them quite a bit.  I have owned Bean (uninsulated) boots most of my adult life.

I have to agree with Kevin's assessment.  Both are good boots, but maybe they are built for slightly different purposes with the expected results showing that.  

Air bob soles are great for traction, but can't even come close to quiet sneaking ability like the Bean's, which is why I wear them.  

Choose the one that fits your need, or, get both.
ChuckC

[huntmaster70]

Never had Schnees- Have 2pr. LL bean, 1 uninsulated & 1 goretex & thinsulate insulated. Only complaint is they both are a little more slippery on wet side hills covered with leaves then some others with a better tread pattern. Other than that they are great boots.

[tracker12]

The gum shoe tread is what I like best about this style boot.  They are the quietest boot I have found.  Especially on a metal stand.  I hunted this year with a guy in Colorado on an elk hunt and that's all he uses during the archery season and he is a CO resident.  I questioned his choice until I walked with him and realized how quiet they can be.  The biggest challenge is getting the right size to make them comfortable to walk in.

[Roadkill]

three pairs of Beans.  Too many years in them;;they are slick on side hills,  mine are 100% water proof, they are as quiet as a boot gets.
Might get Schnees next time as I now live in the mountains, need the traction.
As stated measure your usage and them get the ones that serve your purposes.  American made is a plus for each!

[lone hunter]

For my neck-of-the-woods, Schnee's without question. Have four pairs with air-bobs, TT around here will have you on your butt. Have one pair of 16" insulated that I bought in '84 and their still going strong.

[Ray Lyon]

I got a pair of Kevin Dill's Schnees and wore them for the first time up at Shrewhaven Camp last week.  We had some snow on the ground (just enough to make it greasy). What I really notice about them was how solid the traction was going up a hill. No slips at all.  The were comfortable to walk in as well.

[bswear]

Try walking from the woods into your kitchen with the air bob soles!  The Bean sole is brilliant if you are frequently inside and out(home or tent).

And no the quality has not slipped.  The Maine hunting shoe is still awesome.  They do have some yuppie models that are a bit cheaper.

[JimB]

I say Schnee's as well.I have a pair of uninsulated and a pair with liners for cold weather.They are great.Ray Lyon's mention of the traction is a good point.The bob soles on Schnee's offer great traction but have enough flex that they are as quiet as any.I ran a trapline all last Winter,switching between the uninsulated Schnee's and a pair of Danner's that had been newly resoled with a Vibram lug sole and the Schnee's had noticeably better traction.I used Beans for many years in the '70's and '80's and they were great but I wouldn't switch back.The Schnee's are the most common boot you see here on game wardens,loggers,lion hunters etc,once Fall sets in.

[woodchucker]

I have worn Bean Boots for many years,in the 70's - 90's. I believe I had 4 pair over that time span. My last pair gave up the ghost about 15 years ago. Over the last 15 years I've been through about 6-7 pair of differant boots.

A couple months ago, I lucked into a pair of 8" Bean boots at the GoodWill store... $14!!!!!    Not as high as I'd like,but the price was right!!!

I've worn them all Bow Season so far, and the 1st day I quickly realized what I have been missing!!!!! Next time I need "Hunting Boots" I'll pay the money and buy L.L.Beans!!!  

[TRAP]

I have both and they are both excellent quality. I find myself in the Schnees more often than the Beans.