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

I normally wear an 8.5 women's shoe, and was recommended by customer service to buy a size 7. It fit very tight with a light sock. A size 8 would have been more comfortable and a better fit.

I finally bit the bullet and purchased these boots last week because the weather in D.C. is more slushy than snowy. I have a trusty bulky boot (insert popular boot company) that is not very walkable. I purchased the Bean boot to keep my feet warm and dry during my 2+ mile daily commute. Success! In regards to size, I have a naturally wide 7 1/2. The only size in the store was a 6 Medium. They accommodate my length perfectly wearing a mid-weight sock, but are a bit on the tight end in width. I have broken them in and it's not a problem. My only gripe with the shoe that prevents the 5 star treatment is that they have NO ICE TRACTION. I ate it on some black ice and slip and slid my way through various patches throughout the day. All in all, I am very glad I purchased the boot and the superior customer service that I received in store validated my continued experience with the company (I have been to the flagship and MA branches alongside the McLean, VA locale). Thank you LL Bean!

I ordered these boots back in December and just received them today (feb19). I was really worried about the fit because so many people commented about it which really helped me buy the right size. My feet usually fit in a size 7 1/2, rarely a size 7 in some heels. So I ended up buying a size 7 medium. I tried them on and they are perfect, a little snug but once the leather relaxes they will be perfect. They adorable!! I can't wait to wear them in snow or rain!!

I agonized between this boot and the children's Bean Boot. I know that the adult Bean Boots run very big - this is a problem for me, since I have size 5 feet and the smallest women's size is 6. So I'd already be ordering a size up out of necessity, when every recommendation is to order a size down. But I really wanted the Gore-tex/Thinsulate lining since I intend to use these as winter boots (the children's version is unlined). I also read many reviews that said the lining takes up some of the room inside the boot, so I decided to take my chances and place the order for a size 6 women's Bean Boot in the regular width. I like that the lining is a nice crimson color, and the fabric is slightly fuzzy and quilted. As for the fit - unfortunately the boots fit bigger than I had hoped they would. I definitely would have preferred a size down or two, even with thick socks on. My sister, who wears size 6.5 or 7 shoes, tried my boots on and they were a comfortable fit for her. However, once the boots are laced up I have no issues with my feet sliding around, and they are actually very comfortable to walk in. I went on a 2 hour long walk and didn't have any blisters or hotspots, despite the thick, stiff leather upper. The lining truly makes a huge difference in comfort. But LL.Bean, PLEASE make women's Bean Boots in smaller sizes. I've worn the boots out several times now, and while it hasn't been snowing on the west coast, it has been raining. I tested the boots in some deep puddles and am happy to say that my feet stayed perfectly dry. My feet are also prone to getting cold, and they stayed toasty warm. I'm taking a trip out to the east coast soon, and will really put the Thinsulate lining to the test then.

Thank you to LL Bean for making boots for long skinny womens' feet! I am a size 11 Narrow and it is difficult to find shoes that fit well. I love this boot. The only issue so far is the top of the upper part of the boot cut into my leg a bit, but I believe this is because the leather is so new and stiff. I've seen people wearing these boots where the uppers are worn/broken in/soft. So I'm hoping the stiff leather hitting against my leg will diminish. Otherwise I am happy with the comfort of the boot.... fits like a.....glove! Very warm.

Really like this boot. Only issue is the size I wear a 7 1/2 in my other LL Bean shoes. I followed suite from the size recommendations and order a 8 to accommodate for thick socks. Wish I ordered the 7. Keeping the 8s because they are that comfortable.

A friend of mine got me these shoes without me even trying them one. I got a 7 wide!. Normally I am a 8, 8.5 and not usually wide. These fit perfect with or without a large sock. I am so excited to finally have a pair. My advice to anyone else buying is go down a size and maybe wide, the regular or normal probably wouldn't fit my foot.

This is my second pair of bean boots. The very first one I bought was a little cheaper because it didn't have the insulate or gore tex in it. I bought the second pair with the insulate and my feet actually felt warmer and less prone to dampness when it's raining hard like what we've been getting lately here in NYC. I was torn between getting the one I did which was way more expensive ($189 + tax) and the navy boot which I think is the most stylish out of all the selection. In the end, I still love it because of the extra insulation plus these boots are back ordered! I got a letter from the mail that it was gonna be pushed back till January before it was gonna be shipped but I was surprised that it was shipped on the original date promised and was on my doorstep on the first week of December just as I hoped! I was just excited to get it before Christmas. If there was any negative thing about it is its price. but very stylish and high quality. Will probably get the navy boot next!

These boots will WEAR like iron and they really are waterproof. HOWEVER, even with the Thinsulate, your feet will freeze if the temperature gets below 25. Seriously, they're not well insulated. I live in Vermont -- and it gets COLD here. So for long winter hikes, I bought pac boots with lots of insulation. But for zipping around town and short walks, and working in the yard on cool days, you can't beat these. They will last for decades.

I bought these to use as an extra pair of winter boots, because I'm moving to the midwest. I was hoping to get the version without the Thinsulate so that I could also wear them in the fall, but the size 6 ended up being way too large without Thinsulate. I really wish they came smaller than a 6. I get that they're intended to be worn with super thick socks, but still. The kids hunting boot doesn't come in the classic color, so I felt kind of stuck with having a too-big boot by about a full size (I measure out on the Brannock at a 6.5, and I typically wear a size 7 pump or size 8 running shoe). Fortunately, the attached tongue keeps my ankle in place so that the boots don't fly off my feet. I haven't worn them in any wet or wintry conditions yet; I just wanted to mention that they should be available in smaller sizes.

Worth the money, used them recently on a watershed hydrology field trip where we were working along a creek with a steep bank. Never felt more secure walking in the steep and slippery terrain, and the waterproof worked. My feet were a little cold at times, but it might that the shoes are tad on the small size for my feet, or that I get cold feet easily. Who knows? But I love them anyways.

I just ordered the LL Bean Gortex/Thininsulate 8" boots, and although I followed the "guidelines" on the website for buying the right size boots, these turned out to be too small based on the recommendations. I wear a regular size 7, and the site said if you wear whole sizes order a whole size smaller - I did and they were to small. If I wasnt wearing any socks they might work, but that's obviously not realistic. I just reordered a 7 and we will see how that goes, these ones will go back tomorrow.

LLBean's advice to order a size down is absolutely right. They feel small when you first put them on, but after wearing them for just a couple of hours they fit you like a slipper and they actually feel a little bit big now. Also, taking the boots on and off is made a bit more difficult by the liners, but not impossible. These boots are surprisingly supportive and comfortable for a rubber boot. I've had them 2 weeks and I love them. I just hope they last as long as everyone says they will because they were EXPENSIVE! Worth investing in American manufacturing though.

I recently purchased these boots to use while hunting and around the farm. I usually wear a 7 1/2 - 8 so I ordered a size 7. When I first received the boots & tried them on they were tight fitting and I was worried I had ordered them too small. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to wear my thicker socks with them. However, after walking around the house in them for a few days they began to break in and better form to my feet. Looking forward to taking them out in the field and seeing how they perform.

somewhat stiff. Need to wear some to soften and custom leather upper. warm. good arch support.

So this is my FIRST pair of bean boots. I'm a 5'4" muscular woman. My shoe size can range from a 6-8 with a 7.5 being the average I buy / wear. After reading several reviews I guessed I'd need a 7 considering I usually wear a 7.5 and I assumed a 6 would be small... The boots are lovely, look great, and are very warm! But they do run rather large, I have almost an inch of extra room from the toe to the tip of the boot. I would suggest if you're an average woman with petite feet with a size 7.5 foot on average to order a size 6 boot.Other than being a little big, i'm completely happy!

I'd give the boots an excellent rating, they looked perfect - great quality and warm and sealed well - but because they were too small I had to return them for exchange. I followed the sizing directions when I ordered initially. This time I went up a size. I have not received the new ones yet. I was disappointed that there is a $6.50 return fee as well.

I haven't tested these boots in really cold weather but I've worn them around a bit in cool weather and they are plenty warm. I ordered them in 6N and width-wise they fit well. They are still a little too long--I normally wear a size 6N--but this is the smallest size that comes in narrow. If these boots were about 1/2 to 1 in. shorter they would be perfect. The leather is a little stiff but anticipate it will soften with time.

I have had a pair of the size 10 boots like this for several years and was happy with except that I needed a 10.5. I decided to give the size 11 a try after my others wore out. They are too long, but at least I can wear heavy socks with them and they don't cramp my toes. The heels are very loose, but I have a narrow heel, so not suprising. At least I can tightened up the ankles with the laces. I love the traction and the waterproofing they provide, since I wear them fishing a lot and end up stepping in water or standing in rain.

I wanted to replace worn-out Hunter rain boots as well as hardcore but VERY HEAVY Sorel snow boots. I opted for these since they were 1) lighter and 2) more versatile to cold/wet weather (less single-use). They are definitely warmer than the Hunters (so I won't be able to wear them in a summer thunderstorm, unfortunately). And they're VERY comfortable - normally wear a 6.5-7 so I ordered a 6. My only complaint is that they're not as easy to jump into, like rain boots are.

So I originally wanted to purchase the shearling lined boots b/c they are super stylish winter boots...they turned out to be horribly bulky in the front where the laces are...just way too chunky, clunky looking. I'm all about style & function, so they were a no-go. I then turned to these boots and I knew they were the right ones the moment I put them on. First, they make your feet look very slim and not bulky whatsoever. They are extremely warm and true to size in my opinion. Other bean boots seem to run quite large but I wear a 7 and tried the 7 on in the store and they fit perfectly...even with thick socks. The color is a perfect neutral that will pretty much go with anything and they are very comfortable. The only reason I rated 4 stars is because the back of the boot is very stiff when you walk...like there is no give. My husband said it's supposed to be that way for support but it does feel a little awkward. Maybe this will go away when I break them in? Regardless, I have tried on so many winter boots it's insane. I ultimately decided on these beauties. I bought these in the store and they were already running out...it's only October! I would suggest buying these ASAP b/c I'm sure they will be on backorder before you know it. ;) I can't wait to actually wear this this winter.

I found the first pair of boots I ordered were too short, even though the suggestion was to order down in sizing. I normally wear an 8 1/2 shoe medium width. The first pair were 8s and I had to send them back. They were just a little too snug with the thinsulate lining, which is why I had ordered them to begin with, so I did not want to remove the lining. The reorder was a size 9 and even though they are just a little long they are not too long to be comfortable with thick boot socks.

I haven't been able to test my new boots in the snow yet, but they are very warm and seem well-made and durable. I was surprised at how comfortable they were even when I first put them on. I typically wear a size 8 shoe and ordered a size 7 boot and they are just a tiny bit too big, something that I think thick socks will cure. My only problem with the boot is that it rubs my calf, I hope that thick socks will help with this also.

They are very sturdy, well made boots. They are very cozy inside. I had to get used to the 8" top because I used to have 6" duck boots. These are not quite as comfortable to me because of the how far they come up. I think as I wear them more, the leather is starting to "break in." I also think they are really cute and look great with jeans. They definitely keep me warm and dry.

I wear a size 7 1/2 and have medium/wide feet, and I was reluctant to listen to the sizing info after reading reviews about the insolation making the boot smaller. Ordered a 7 wide, and I received them sooner then expected since they were backordered. They fit but I have about an inch of extra wiggle room... I'm debating over sending them back for a 6, but they are backordered for another 2 months and by then winter will be almost over. They fit well with thick socks though and the the width is perfect. I recommend listening to the sizing chart... the lining does take up some room but not enough to drastically change shoe sizes and over time it will wear down which will make the shoe even bigger.