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

These are very nice looking, well-made boots but be careful with these if you have a wider foot. My feet are wide at the bridge of my toes and the wide (D) width was not wide enough to be comfortable (and with the rubber construction there's no breaking these ones in!). I returned and exchanged for the goretex cresta hikers and got a much better fit with the wides.

I thought it was me; I just received my new boots and tried them on. They were small; I paid attention to the advice about how to order. Do not order a size down. I wear a 9, ordered a 9 and my big toe with my pantyhose on is right at the front tip of the boot. I'm thinking about ordering a 10, but not sure if the 10 will be too big. Otherwise a good product if I could get the right size.

The boots are well made, but don't pay attention to the directions to order smaller. I wear a 6.5 narrow shoe but usually order boots in a 7 for socks. I ordered a 7 medium and can hardly get my foot in the boot. I am petite so an average sized girl would have problems. Thinking about ordering an 8 but not sure. The tongue of the boot is sewn as one piece into the boot - so it can make it difficult to slide your foot into the boot - don't count on wearing very thick socks and tightening the laces after your foot is in the boot.

I wanted to love these, but they squeak something terrible! I thought by now they'd have broken in but they haven't. I wish I had gotten the softer leather version.

My old pair were stolen outside the door of my apartment and had to get a new pair. They just aren't the same. For reference, LL Bean told me they revamped the boots in 2020 so I used to be a 7M and am now 8M in the new ones (normally wear 8 or 8.5M). The shoelaces felt SO cheap and the boots just don't fit as well as they used to. The length and width of the sole were fine but the part around my ankle was so big even tightening the laces as much as possible. They gaped and it was super uncomfortable. Just really disappointed.

Unfortunately I had to get a replacement pair because my first pair had a defect. On the bright side the replacements came in just 3 days , the manager was very nice to next day air them. Unfortunately the replacements also had a defect. The left boot fit perfectly and there were no defects on that one. The right boot was the one with the defect this time. The leather upper portion of the boot was not properly aligned with the rubber boot bottom. This makes the boot way too loose around the ankle and heel, which makes them seem way to big. This was the same problem i had with the first pair. There seams to be a lack of quality control. It's very unfortunate because the boot that had no defects, fit like a glove. I am also a little unsatisfied with the customer care this time, as the lady just recommended I try a different pair instead of helping me figure out the problem with the boots I wanted. Very unsatisfactory considering the price. I got an offbrand pair for $50 that are warm and fit like a glove (with no defects) I might give llbean another chance , but i'll just return them for now.

I wear a size 8, and the fit me like a size 9. There was a defect on the inside toe area of the left boot. The rubber covering the toe of each boot did not match. Went to a local LLBean store where they verified the issues. I tried on a size 7, which fit well. I also tried the shearling-lined Primaloft boots and found those more comfortable, so I bought them. Extremely happy with the shearling-lined boots one size smaller than my usual size with thin socks.

I bought these online... These boots are gigantic! I'd say a full 2 sizes too big. I got these to replace my sorels, which are way too chunky... I always see girls with cute LL Bean snow boots that go well with skinny jeans and aren't clunky. These are apparently not that style. And what's up with the laces basically being like woven pipe cleaners? Super stiff and bendy and don't like staying tied... The boots also have little to no traction, so be prepared to ski... they are really warm tho, so they have that going for them. I got them online and am too lazy to take them to a post office to send them back so I guess I have a pair of $200 dog-walking boots... oh well...

My daughter has a pair and loves these, so when my other winter boots from Bean fell apart, I decided to try these. I am very sorry to say that I was quite disappointed. The lining inside the boot was lumpy and uneven. There were places that were too narrow and others that were too wide. They just were not comfortable. I packed them up and sent them back.

I've been meaning to write this review for months now, hopefully doing so might change future buyers opinions. My fianc and I eached purchased bean boots for our adventures after doing an immense amount of research. He chose to get the normal version without insulating, and I chose these. I read so many reviews saying the normal version was not warm enough, but I wish I had not listened to those. The gortex liner makes them so sweaty to the point where my feet are wet shortly after putting them on. And I apologize for the TMI, but they have become incredibly unfortunate smelling. Which might be understandable if I had worn them to the extent to which I intended to, but since they run so hot, I rarely do. I even purchased a few pairs of the wall bean wool socks because I love the look of the two together, but that was a waste. I tried to phone llbean to see if they had any advice on how to remove the liner, but they said it was not possible and could not help in the matter.

When it came time for a new pair of winter boots, I wanted something that could withstand the elements and last more than a season in the harsh weather. I settled on this model after recommendations from friends. These were beautiful boots and and the quality of the craftsmanship was clear. They were great in cold weather; I wore them in snowy, near-zero temperatures and my feet stayed dry and warm. However, I experienced significant pain in my arches and heels due to how oddly the boot hit those areas. I had plenty of room, so going smaller or bigger wasn't the answer. I figured (and hoped) it was just a matter of breaking the boots in, so I scaled back the time I spent in them to take the process more slowly. Unfortunately, it didn't help; the pain continued and became more pronounced. Maybe my feet simply don't work with the duck boot design, or maybe my pair was defective. Regardless, I had to return them, and while I'm only giving the product two stars, L.L. Bean's customer service deserves five out of five. They were kind, helpful, and I was able to return the boots even after a month of wear. I have never experienced such wonderful customer service; it shows how seriously L.L. Bean stands behind their products and this is greatly appreciated! If you're planning to purchase Bean boots, I recommend doing so in the store. Try them on, spend time with them, walk around, and get an idea for how they're really going to feel before making your decision.

I got a pair of these boots about a year ago and after a few wears I noticed that every time I pulled my foot out, the whole lining of the boot came out as well. This boot is very hard to take on and off, even with thin socks. I returned them and got a replacement pair sent to me but unfortunately when I tried them on, the same problem happened immediately. I plan to return these and maybe try a different style. Very disappointed because these are very comfortable and warm boots, wish quality was better.

These did wear out the soles after only 2 winters. Used primarily in woods and on snow and only in the winter. Llbean did allow a retun although experience at the store was not easy. Had boots llike these before and they lasted more than 20 years.

I was very excited when my thinsulate/Gore Bean boots arrived. I ordered online (while at store) during their 25% off Black Friday sale. My shoe size is 6.5 medium, so I ordered a 6 medium (per their instructions). I was expecting the stiffness of the new Bean boots, but I was not expecting a 'medium' width would be tight/narrow. I visited the store, at 10 am when they open, and the place was already busy. Spoke with a sales person, he said they don't carry 'wide' in stores to try on. He suggested I order a 'wide' to to see which fit better. But this would be at full price! huge hassle..and purchasing/returning is too much time and money.

I was so happy to find warm waterproof boots in narrow, and I had high hopes when ordering because narrow boots are so hard to find. But ultimately I'm really disappointed in the fit. I've found that shoe manufacturers don't seem to understand that people with narrow feet tend to be narrow in the heel rather than the forefoot. These boots are too wide and slip like crazy in the heel and are too narrow in the toe box--exactly the opposite of how a narrow shoe should be constructed. Another reviewer mentioned the stiff laces, and I agree. The boot was hard to put on and lace up, and the ankle was stiff, oddly folded, and rubbed my skin. All in all, a disappointing fit for my narrow-heeled foot.

I ordered a 10 Wide. The length was fine but the width was far too snug. And the left shoe's insole was warped. I owned a pair of these for more than 20 years (I think that's how long I've had them) and it was finally time get a new pair. But these just don't seem as good. I'm returning them. I ordered the Wildcat Boots at the same time, and they fit beautifully (despite being a medium width).

I think these boots were very well made, but they were so stiff, they were like trying to walk in ski boots from the 60's and 70's. There was no way that I could even walk in them. I have been told that perhaps the goretex or thinsulate makes them stiffer. I returned the boots.

I ordered this boot in a size 10 for walking my dogs in the rain and slushy snow. But this boot was much too big for me. Sadly, I ordered the boot again in size 9, which was too small. With the Gore-tex bootie inside, this boot really should be made in half sizes. So sorry I could not keep this boot.

I tried these boots because I liked the idea of the extra waterproofing and insulation. Unfortunately they seemed very stiff at the top and dug in to my shins. Another reviewer said they loosened up after wearing but I didn't want to risk it. Trying the 6-inch style now hoping the lower rise won't rub as much.

I bought the wide size 7 of this boot. I have purchased Bean Boots most of my adult life and had expected to like these as well. However, I found that the 8" boot was too tall with the reduced gusset size to accommodate my leg at that height. What a disappointment! I double checked my husband's 8" boots, and found that the ability to open the leg area had been reduced by narrowing the size of the gusset. Back they go. :-(

Opening at top of boot is too small for my foot - unable to get foot into boot comfortably. I wear an 8.5 M shoe; I ordered an 8 (as recommended) in a D width to allow for plenty of sock room. I will be sending these boots back, but I am not discouraged! I will be ordering the shearling instead!

I listened to the reviewers who said these run small so i ordered my true size. But i wear a 7 wide and while the width of these boots felt good, they were too big... my toe was an inch from the tip. My biggest complaint with these is that they are STIFF! They were not comfortable maybe it's b/c i'm only 5'1" and they don't fall on my calf at the right spot. Also, can you get stiffer shoe laces???? I thought they were going to crack & break when i was lacing up the boot! Good quality but i would not recommend for shorter women. Also, Bean should put pictures of the top opening of the boot on the website... the tongue is connected so it's not easy to get your foot in & out.

The boots were of course perfect but for this active 84 year old woman.. I couldn't get them on, I could not pull the very stiff laces, they were way too heavy and stiff and I do not have years to break them in so back they went to LL Bean and I ordered something more appropriate.

I generally wear a size 8 or 8.5 (if the shoes are narrow). I'm 5'9", 130lbs. I ordered a size 8 (wide), and they are too small in every way. This makes no sense. A 9 would be way too big. Half-sizes need to be offered.