Customer Reviews L.L.Bean 8" Bean Boots GORE-TEX®/Thinsulate™

Replaced my son's "other brand" duck boots with these tie up Gore-Tex and he really likes them. He decided the wide would be better for thicker socks in the colder weather, but has apparently already made use of them in the last few weeks. Also, stated that they are very comfortable.

Got them in time for a retreat and even tho they were a little excessive for the mild temps I was happy to have them keep my tootsies warm and dry. Deff water proof I was getting in and out of canoes and kayaks and stepping into the water. Dry dry dry! Lookin forward to more inclement weather for an excuse to wear these awesome boots! Thank you! I sorta wish I could've worn these in Afghanistan while I was deployed! Thanks LL Bean!

I have always heard great things about these boots and wasn't sure if I was going to go for the base model pair without lining or the pair with the lining, but at the last minute, decided to spring for the ones with GoreTex/Thinsulate. Best footwear decision I've made in a long time! I followed the recommendation of the person taking my order over the phone regarding shoe sizing and ordered one size down from the size I normally wear. I can't tell you how helpful the person was! She went out of her way to answer any questions I had. The boots arrived at the end of March following a 2 and 1/2 month wait since they were on backorder. Well worth the wait and just in time for the springtime rainy season in NY. Shoes that keep your toes warm and dry are clutch this time of year and LL Bean delivered! It doesn't hurt that they look good too!

I have bought these boots for my husband before and when they wore out, there were no other boots to match their quality and usefulness in snowy, cold and wet conditions he endures during the winter months when he has to work outdoors. The traction soles are really excellent and the craftsmanship is unmatched. We will always be customers of this product. Happy with the purchase, as usual.

I had a very difficult time figuring out the correct size for my new LL Bean boots. I would be embarrassed to admit how much time and effort I put into fitting these boots. I do not usually take the time to write online reviews, but I am hoping that perhaps all of my research and investigation will hope one or two of you who are trying to figure out what size boot to purchase. I got my first pair of LL Bean boots when I was a kid. I loved them, but growing up in Vermont I thought my feet would freeze off. My second pair, while a young teen, had blue felt liners. Those kept my ankles warm, but my feet still froze and every time I pulled my foot out of the boot a pile of blue felt fuzz came with it. Now long into my adulthood, I am back in the LL Bean boot game, and the wonderful quality has not changed a bit. I will say, however, that I have never had as difficult a time figuring out the correct size for me as I did with these boots. My shoe size is typically between a 9.5 and a 10 D (medium). My running shoes tend to be size 10.5 medium. I have never purchased a Wide shoe or boot in my life. Sizing the Thinsulate / Gortex LL Bean boot is unique to this exact boot, as you have more "stuff" intruding into the space where your foot goes than you do any of the other LL Bean boots. Also, the LL Bean specialist tells me that they "size up" the foot bed of the Thinsulate / Gortex boot more than others (for example, if you buy a size 9 Bean boot with Thinsulate and Gortex, Bean actually uses a size 10 foot bed in the boot to accommodate the space taken by the insulation and water proofing material.) I tried these boots on in a size 8 Medium, 9 Medium, 9 Wide, 10 Medium, and 10 Wide. I found that the 8 Medium was WAY to small, and the 10 Wide was WAY to roomy, so I was narrowing in. On both the 9 Medium and, to a lesser extent, the 10 Medium, I found that the boot felt like it was hugging the wide part of my foot (just behind the toes.) The hugging was not uncomfortable, but I was concerned that over time it would become annoying. I talked to the boot specialist in LL Bean customer service, and he pointed out that a) these boots do not stretch over time, and b) having a little extra space is good, as your foot will stay warmer with room for a little bit of air to circulate and for the Thinsulate to not be tightly compressed. Thinsulate works a bit like the fiberglass insulation you install in your house ... you only get the advertised level of heat loss protection if you don't squish down the insulation. So, I ended up with a 9 Wide, the first pair of wide footwear I have ever purchased, for my size 9.5 - 10 medium (leaning a bit toward narrow) foot. I could have gotten away with a 10 Medium as well, but ultimately the 9 Wide was the best boot for me. I hope this review helps!

These are the best boots I've owned.

I picked up a pair just before the snowstorms hit a couple weeks ago. Perfect timing- these boots are warm, keep my feet dry and fit perfectly. With Gore Tex and Thinsulate lining, nothing can stop these bad boys.

I currently have 3 pair, 6" plain, and 8" & 10" with Thinsulate and Gortex. I bought the 10" 13 years ago to take to Antarctica. 30 years ago I bought my first pair to take to Italy. Two of these new pair replaced worn out ones, and my wife has a pair. Obviously I love the boots but: the Gortex option is too pricey and I wish it would be attached better to the boots. It often comes partially out when I remove the boots. Also, the shoestrings have gotten much cheaper. I just started wearing the new 8" ones two weeks ago and the strings are already starting to come apart. The shoestrings should match the quality of the boots. They do keep my feet warm and dry though when I go bird walking in 10 degrees and a foot of snow.

Our son asked for a pair of L.L. Bean boots for Christmas, but happened to see that they didn't go past size 14. He wears a 15. After reading the comments from previous buyers about ordering a size down, especially if wearing normal weighted socks, we called L.L. Bean to ask their expert opinion and what they recommended. We felt confident, and placed the order for size 14. Because of the high demand and the time frame of Christmas, they were expected to be back ordered til January 6. We were so very happy when they were sitting on our door step a week before Christmas, which meant they could be underneath the Christmas tree. They fit beautifully, and he wore them 3 days in a row!!! Thanks L.L. Bean!!!

I was actually lucky enough to get the gore-tex version of this boot even though it is on back order until April 2015. I was recently in CT for the holidays and called the outlet store and they told me they had a pair of these and would hold them for me. Sure enough when I got to the store they were in a bag behind the counter waiting for me! I normally wear a size 11 and the associate said I should get a size 10, he was absolutely correct. Since I got these from an outlet store the width said it was EE which is wider than normal, I wear a normal width. The EE fit perfectly so I can't comment on the width of these boots. Even though it is a "country" looking boot, I live in NYC and wear them all the time!

I usually wear a 11 1/2 EE shoe and originally purchased a size 11 medium boot. After wearing them in the house for about an hour they felt to narrow and tight. The store ordered me a pair of the wide EE boots that are a perfect fit. The lining in the boot definitely makes it a tighter fit than the unlined versions. Customer service was exceptional. I've been wearing the boots for several weeks and they are very comfortable and warm.

These are the best and most comfortable boots I have ever owned. I have been out in -20 degree temps and my feet are toasty warm. The leather craftsmanship and quality are far superior in these boots and they are well worth the price. These boots will last a lifetime and I would highly recommend them. If you need a good pair of winter boots that will keep you comfortable and warm, then look no further.

I wear a size 11 or 11.5 in running shoes but ended up getting a size 10 in these boots. They fit very well. Seem very durable. They do a good job keeping my toes warm and keeping the H2O out!

I have very wide feet and I originally ordered the gore tex boots in a 10 wide. those boots were so tight that I could not put them on my feet. Because of that, I ordered these in 11 wide. I love these boots, but my feet are literally swimming in them. I am returning them for a set of 10 wide, and I hope that they will work for me.

These are great boots. Recommend anyone buying these go by the recommendation by L.L. Bean for size They are right on. I am impressed with the way these boots are made and i'm sure this winter they will be as good and as warm as i expect them to be. Outstanding product and service from L.L.Bean. I will recommend this Boot and L.L. Bean to friends and family.

I ordered these boots for my son, and was not really sure of the size due to the different fit requirements. I call customer device and the representative was extremely helpful. The boots arrived quickly and they are a perfect fit! My son loves them and they will be really great for him in the upcoming Chicago winter!!!

Excellent fit and quality up to LL Bean Standards. Would recommend these to anyone looking for quality. Great Workmanship..

After returning my first pair because I got the wrong size these boots fit perfectly.

I am writing this review based upon my fit and feel of the boot. I have not had a chance to put them to the test of a nasty cold wet fall or winter as of this writing. The boot appears to be made very well and the fit is exceptional. The fact that LL Beans backs up their products with a 100% customer satisfaction, you can't go wrong. The price was just on the upper end of what I wanted to spend but I am a firm believer of getting what you pay for. I paid for an Amercan made item and am very glad I made this purchase.

These boots keep my feet dry and are super stylish. I am very happy with my purchase and will be making future purchases from llbean

I purchased these boots for my daughter. When they arrived, I noticed the quality and overall construction so I decided to get a pair for myself. Very comfortable while keeping your feet dry and warm. The fit is spot on. Looking forward on wearing these boots for years to come.

Fit well, but need to follow the advice in catalog sizing which is to get 1/2 to 1 size smaller than shoe size. Warm and dry. Pricey, though. Got with 25% off, which made price only slightly high.

I have always purchases the LL Bean Boot and the duck shoes. I an a size 11 1/2 AA so have always had a problem with all brands of boots. My initial purchase was size 11 N and then size 12 N, but I am returning for the second time because of sizing. I will probably have to order a size 12 M and hopefully will be a comfortable fit. I presently have the duck shoe boot that is a size 10 N and is a perfect fit. My concern is that you need to be more uniform with your sizing in all of your lines of boots and shoes. As always, Customer Service has been excellent and patient with my returns.

So warm and waterprrof, had bad weather recently and been wearing these out. Taking skiing with me next week

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I had to to try out my new boots to make sure they were the great boots you say the are. They are the best boots I ever had and invested in. I want to thank LL Bean and Katie for making them Awesome and so Special.