Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Trail Model Hiker 4 Water Resistant Low

I just returned a similar pair a couple of weeks ago because the EE width was too narrow. All of my shoes, sneakers, and athletic footware are sized 10EE and al fit well. For some reason the shoes I have been getting recently from LL Bean in this width have all been too narrow. Either correct the sizing or offer an additional wider width. These are being returned also.

says its waterproof but its not I just use it in my back yard working with my dog and when I finish my socks are wet Thank goodness I did not use it for camping

First the GOOD -- they fit well and are very comfortable. The "wide" is actually wide enough for my fat foot. They're kind of like running shoes, but with extra stability and authority. They look good, too. ---------- And now the BAD: they are wearing out seriously in the upper heel area after exactly FIVE(5) months of moderate wear. The material in the heel area really needs to be made of something more wear-resistant than at present. I thought of sending them back, but they were a bargain, plus I don't want to be without them! So I will look for some kind of shoe-repair tape, and hope that Bean's upgrades the heel material before my next purchase.

This shoe is a good looking hiking shoe that while listed as a wide, is way to narrow. I have a wide foot with a high inseam so I always look for a wide cut on shoes. These definitely are not them. They hurt my feet when I wore them. Tried to wear them twice. Are returning them to local store as soon as I can (live an hour plus away). I've had different shoes from LL Bean that have been outstanding but these don't make the cut.

Ordered 10-1/2 EE the first time and they were too small. Returned them and ordered 11 EE and they aren't any better than the first pair. Going to return these and order 11-1/2 EE this time and hope for the best. They're good looking shoes, but the return charges are eating me up!

There seems to be a problem with these shoes in the wide fitting - check the other reviews. These were very tight with a thin dress sock. Impossible with a medium weight hiking sock. The old mountain treads fit perfectly out of the box.

The Wide EE width is not a typically "wide" size.

It took several days before I was without pain and discomfort

These shoes seem to be the right length, but rubbed a little on the front inside, I believe they are just not a double E width as they say? As for the look, they are a strange light blue and I would describe them as blue and not brown. I will be returning them.

I can only report my own experience. These shoes were not waterproof, not even water-resistant. The dark strip at the front seemed to be porous and soaked through. The mesh panel at the top, backed by some kind of material was also porous and soaked through. I never took these through a puddle, all I did was stroll across wet grass and wear them in a light drizzle. They got soaked through the toe several times, and, incidentally, they are very hard to dry out after that happens. I don't know if there was something wrong with my pair--I elected to return them and replace them with a completely different L. L. Bean shoe, the East Points, and we will see. This was my second pair of Trail Models. The previous ones seemed water-resistant for a little over a year, then suddenly began to get wet through the toes; perhaps there is something in them that wears out or tears with toe flexure?

PROS: effective waterproofing, style, price. CONS: insufficiently flexible, don't really break in, poor insoles, soles wear out too quickly. I have had these for approximately 2 years, and have done some moderate hiking in them (maybe 100 miles, max) so they're not too old. At first, when I bought these, they were fine in terms of comfort in the sole. INFLEXIBLE: The one problem initially was that they bent at one specific location on the top. This caused a crease to form. Initially, it wasn't a big deal, and I'd get used to it after a little while. After more use, the crease would form more. It started to rub against my pinky toe and caused blisters. It has just recently become unbearable. SOLE DOESN'T HOLD UP: More recently, I was feeling uncomfortable on the bottom of my foot. When I took out the stock insoles, they were very thin - and i thought maybe it was the rubber sole that i was feeling through the insole and maybe the sole was a little thin. Then I inspected the area under the insoles - I felt indentations that had formed on both the sole inside (near the ball of the foot) and outside of the sole (across the foot from the ball). This corresponded to the same location as the crease that had formed on the top. I tried replacing with relatively expensive insoles, but i still feel this indentations. GREAT WATERPROOFING: I have used these in wet situations and they have very effective waterproofing. So it has that going for it. NOT SOMETHING I'D RECOMMEND: Based off of the number of miles I have put on these, i would have expected more out of an LL Bean manufactured product. These are shoes, and will break down at somepoint, but any other brand's shoes I've ever had did not break down like these ones. Maybe they're defective, but I think it is at least some design.

I loved the style, and color, good looking but not comfortable at all. Getting them to fit seemed impossible. Even with the poor fit, they are still to heavy and, stiff. There's no way for these shoes to "break in", the soles and, upper have no flexibility

I have loved this shoe over a long time and bought 6 to 8 pair for my son and myself in years past, but the model this time is narrow, lacks the hook as top lace point and top material colors are poorly chosen, particularly the gray with blue lineing/flecking. Someone was asleep at the switch specifying this product. So, today i bought the rugged ridge hikerfor $60 more....broke my yankee heart.

They are very stiff and on the small side. Recommend 1/2 size larger than normal. They don't seem to have much give. Like wearing two cinderblocks. Llbean needs to find manufacturers who make wide shoes. 75% at least of the shoes I look at are only available in d medium. Disappointing.

I loved the previous LL Bean Trail model hiking shoes. (I bought three pairs.) The old model fit me better than any hiking shoes I've ever worn. Not these. These are wide in the heel, narrow in the lacing area. Please bring back the old style!

Ordered first pair size 10.5 D. The shoe across the mid-foot was too narrow, felt like my foot was being squeezed. Ordered an exchange, 10.5 EEE. More room across the mid-foot but still a little snug, there is minimal arch support and the heal is a little loose. An orthotic insert for arch support have made them reasonably comfortable to wear. I would not purchase these again.

I buy shoes from LL Bean regularly, and with great success, so I doubt I am the problem in this case. My foot is 2E/3E, and the wide model just doesn't do it. Too bad, because the shoe looks great and seems very well made and it's probably very comfortable---if it fitted. And that's why I gave it only two stars. Doesn't matter how good a shoe is, if it doesn't fit. A lot of other people also complained about the narrowness of this shoe, including people with standard width feet. If you can wear a narrow shoe then you should definitely buy this shoe. Otherwise, be warned.

All my shoes are medium width. These shoes were tight on the right foot. Not built to industry standard.

The shoes were too narrow for me. Also I prefer the top of the shoe to have a hook for the final lacing rather than an eye.

I bought these two years ago and I realized it deserves a heads up for others. When I first put them on they felt like a glove. Cushiony and super nice. But beware of buying shoes online. Within 20 minutes my feet were in terrible pain. These shoes for some reason add additional pressure to the toe and I felt like my toes were trying to compensate the entire time on any hike I've been on. I only really wear these when it's raining so I tolerated them for the past 2 years but I will never buy boots or shoes without a trial again.

Sizes seem to run a little shorter. Returned for size larger but were sold out.

I was hoping for a good hiking shoe but was disappointed that the toe box pushed down on the toes.. Had to return them.

Nice looking shoe, but my shoes would not stay tied

These hurt my feet. Very uncomfortable for an ll bean shoe.

I attempted to return less than 1 year old pair of the Trail Model 4 hiking shoe only to be told that I can't get an exchange because they are too worn and beyond the product life cycle. That's what's wrong with them! Worn out in 9 months! I have been hiking with Cresta hikers and Alpine hikers for 10+ years (still have them) and the inner fabric of the shoes are still intact. The Trail Model 4 have torn and worn fabric after a few short months of walking. My other two boots undergo much more aggressive walking than these shoes. I'm 67 and have been buying LLBean product all my lifefirst time ever did I try to return a product for exchange and was denied. Attached is a photo showing my 10+ year old hiking boots with intact inner fabric and the torn to shreds fabric of the Trail Model 4 shoes after a few months wear. Very disappointed in LLBeans failure to stand behind their merchandise. I expect longer than a few months life cycle on a shoe. Any suggestions on a different company with a better attitude?