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

I researched boots for days before choosing these. Pros: Made in Maine Genuine Leather Offered in Wide Width Classic Look Cons: Wide-width not quite wide enough with heavy socks Need smaller size boot opening too narrow I have wide feet and chunky legs. I chose mens boots rather than womens because they offer a wide. The width would be great for regular socks, but it's a bit tight with heavy socks. The biggest disappointment is the boot opening. The opening of the boot shaft, because I am short, hits the very bottom of my calf (my husband pointed out that on him, it would hit his narrower ankle). Sooooo, as us wide-calf women know... It doesn't close all the way. Which means when I step into deeper snow, it's going to come right through the spaces between the sides of the boot and the tongue. I probably should return them... but I really wanted them to work... I am torn. They are really nice looking.

ever since seeing my grandfathers good freind with a pair of these on his feet at hunting camp over the years i finally broke my wallet open and got myself a pair thus the 4 star rating and not a 5. so i am breaking them in a little at a time before hunting camp and will have them on my feet all day then i might give them a 5.

Ordered 1 full size down from my regular and they fit fine right out of the box. They could use some "speed hooks" at the top for lacing instead of eyelets all the way up but they seem to work OK anyway. Waiting for the cold weather to get here to see how warm they are but they feel like they will be very nice and so far they are completely dry.

Due to an extended Minnesota winter, these boots were worn more in one winter than they normally would be. Kept my feet dry and fairly warm. I was out in twenty below weather, walking the dog, and they kept my feet moderately warm for 20 minutes or so. I would like them to have more traction in ice and snow; the tread is pretty shallow. On the plus side, they don't track in a lot of snow.

I've had three pairs of Bean Boots in my life. The only reason I ever got rid of a pair was because I outgrew them. I used these boots regularly this fall for hiking in swamps, thick forests, and on snow covered peaks in Vermont - they were used hard. Each time I wore a pair of Smartwool socks, and laced them tight. These boots are waterproof and will keep your feet dry - I promise you that. One problem I ran into was a lack of warmth. I always wore thick wool socks that were dry (usually Smartwool PhDs), but every time I wore them for more than 20 minutes in weather below 20 degrees my feet would freeze. It was like the Thinsulate liner hadn't done anything to keep my feet warm. I don't think I noticed this with my past pairs because I was too young to care, but I certainly noticed it with these. Unfortunately I did return these without any problems, because I need warm boots. I intend on purchasing a 10" pair for spring and fall use, but I will look elsewhere for winter boots. I would recommend these for Fall and Spring, but not winter.

These boots are very warm and comfortable

Well made and exactly what I want, but they do not fit. The wide is definitely not wide. The boot does not fit, even when I went a size larger. Still too narrow. I wish they made a true wide size. I want them to fit!

Not happy to have to return these due to following the sizing instructions. I wear 11 1/2 normally and the instructions state to buy a size 10 due to supposed generous fit. Unfortunately, it should have said down 1/2 size instead. Will return for a size 11.

My only complaint about the boats are the Gore-Tex liner which moves around and almost comes out when you take the boots off. LL Bean should come up with a better way to incorporate the Gore-Tex instead of having a liner. Otherwise, I agree with the sizing recommendations, the boots are perfect for a long day. Love the look and feel minus the liner.

This is a rather nice winter boot. However, a note in sizing: LL Bean seems to be inconsistent in the sizing of the footwear they manufacture. Sizing in the footwear industry seems to be inconsistent in general- somewhat understandable if you consider all the dimensional variations- length, width, instep, toes, heal, arch, ball, accommodation for heavy socks, etc. However, length and width, the two standard sizing elements should not be subjective. Since LL Bean manufactures some of the shoes they sell, they have an opportunity to be a leader in the footwear industry from a consistent sizing perspective. I hope they hear the plea. I purchased the 12 EE. They are closer to 13 D. Otherwise, a quality boot for the price.

The Bean pacboots are the best outdoor footwear that I have used in 6 decades of footwear. Bean's great service and speedy delivery are value added items. These boots were the first insultated I have used and they keep my feet warm and dry during the most intense of rain storms.

With the amount of snow we received so far this winter I needed a good boot to replace my previous pair from a different manufacturer. These boots fit well, although they are a bit larger as LL Bean states in its ads, are warm, and most important to me, waterproof. They are easy to put on and take off and the quality is very high. Unfortunately I am still waiting for my backordered boot socks to see if their bulk will make these boots fit "just right."

great and lets me tromp through snow and mud.

I followed the sizing suggestion by getting one size down from my regular 11M. The 10M fits perfectly. The boots are very stiff but I hope they loosen up after more wearings. I especially appreciate the fact that they are made in the USA. I haven't experienced the lining coming out as with the non-Goretex models.

We recently moved to northern MI from the South. Reading the reviews for the LL Bean Gore-Tex Boots, I was convinced these boots would be the best choice for us "southern transplants". We have received more than a foot of snow in the past week, and these boots are proving me correct.

This is my 2nd pair The first pair lasted about 10 yrs of seasonal use..the sole finally wore out. The insulation on the new pair seems to be a bit better

These were exactly as LLBean describes them. Warm, waterproof and built to last. My only issue is that I wish they were made wider. Overall a good pair of boots I expect will last many winters.

Pleased with these boots but with one complaint. The Gore-Tex liner pulls out too easily when removing the boots; it's annoying. The top of the liner is sewed in, so they are not meant to be removed. So why not sew in or otherwise affix the liner at the bottom as well ?

I normally ware 10 1/2 ordered 10ee front of boot fits fine the heal is very loose after installation of adhesive heal pads and ordering padded heal socks they seem OKAY however I haven't warned them for an extended period the jury is still out for me I also replaced the laces they wouldn't uncoil very stiff , so far not what I was expecting

These boots did not feel comfortable for my husband. It's his feet, not LL. Bean though. He has tiny ankles and calves so they did not feel right. They're a great boot otherwise and he wished they would fit him. :(

Not a comfortable boot to walk in. Loose at the ankle more than preferred.

I would purchase this in-store next time. First time buying this boot. I needed a boot to wear when bird hunting in wet conditions, and this boot was highly recommended to me. While on vacation in NY, I took the opportunity to stop at a LL Bean store. I spoke with a store representative who matched the boot with my requirements. I tried a few boots on and found the right size and style. Since I was on vacation and did not have the space in my luggage to bring them back, I ordered them online upon returning home. After receiving my order, the boots did not fit the same, too small, despite ensuring I ordered the correct size by taking a photo of the box showing the size I tried while in NY. I had to return them and order the next size up. The next size up was too large and did not fit right. I added an insole to help with the fit, which it did. The boots work to keep my feet dry and warm, but I would not purchase these boots online again. May be a manufacturing issue but considering the cost of the boots, I will buy them in-store to ensure I get the proper fit.

These were too big and too wide. I specifically chose a wide-width boot since my husband wears wide in his footwear but his foot was slipping when walking in these boots. It might be best to try these on in person.

The boot size runs large. I usually wear a size 9. After trying them on at the store I realized an 8 was a closet fit but still a bit too big.

Since the item was just recently purchased I will not be able to complete a total review until I have worn the boots out in the cold and snow.