Customer Reviews L.L.Bean 8" Thinsulate Bean Boot

Great boot but definitely order a half size smaller as suggested. Wish I had listened !!

Let me first clarify my recommendation. I'm a big backer of Bean products and regardless of my issue its still a great product. My issue is regarding sizing and fit. I would not recommend these boots to those who normally where half sizes. LLB recommends purchasing a size below you normal shoe size given the generous fit to accommodate heavy socks so if you normally wear a size 10 you should order a size 9. Unfortunately the boots are only available in whole sizes which is difficult for those of us who normally where half sizes. I'm a size 10.5 and recently ordered a pair of thinsulate bean boots in a size 10. Sure enough, when I tried them on they were too big. I'm not one to wear heavy socks either so I exchanged them for a size 9 at the local LLB store. In the store, the size 9 fit felt acceptable but when I tried them on again at home I found them to be too tight. I was really excited to own a pair but I'm starting to think that it's not in the cards. I'm frustrated with the fit. I can understand the sizing down but it is unrealistic to think that half of customers would feel comfortable going one whole size down while the half dropped one and a half sizes down. I imagine I will return these too.

My wife bought me the 6" Bean Boot as a Christmas present and was very excited to have them considering all the snow/rain we've had in NE. However, they were very tight across the width of my foot and they actually hurt. Local LL Bean store took them back no problem. After reading the reviews and trying on variety of sizes and heights, I finally decided on and ordered a size 8 EEE in the 8inch Thinsulate boot. Delivery took 2 days and now here I am in July with my Christmas present and I cannot wait for it to rain!! I have been walking around with the boots on indoors to get a feel for them and they are comfortable. Believe the 'disclaimer' about the sizing my 9.5 foot fits comfortably in a size 8 Bean Boot with Thinsulate and normal sweat socks. Thanks LL Bean! The only reason I rated only "Good" is that since receiving there hasn't been enough rain to wear them outdoors... Good grief!

I started shopping for Bean Boots back in November 2013, and it definitely took awhile to sort out what size I would need - combined w/ the holiday rush, I was definitely in for a wait to get my hands on a pair. After deciding to wait until after the holidays, I ordered them in early/ mid January w/ the knowledge that they would become available in early March of 2014. As luck would have it, they arrived in mid-February just before my birthday! :) Bean Boots definitely run big - I wear a size 9.5/ 10 shoe, but a size 8, medium-width Bean Boot w/ Thinsulate fits like a dream w/ hike OR thinner socks. The waterproofing is legendary, and with the persistent wet weather here in Boston my Bean Boots have kept my feet warm, dry, and happy while commuting on the T (including about 2.5mi walking round trip on Boston's poorly-shoveled and incredibly puddled streets). The only possible reason I could find to dock this product a star is the time that it took me to secure a pair; otherwise, they have been an exemplary pair of boots on the street and in the base lodge. Cheers to L.L. Bean for their fine craftsmanship!

I like the boots. I wish the thinsulate came up higher into the boot. I was surprised how narrow the boots were, and they weren't as long as I'd expect. I'm a size 8.5. Using their calculator they said to round down to the nearest size. I feel that is incorrect and I should have been told to round up. I've only worn them a dozen times so maybe they'll stretch out, but I hope once I start wearing my big wool socks, my feet don't feel restricted and get cold.

LL Bean really needs to just get over the tradition of their Bean Boots and start selling half sizes. It costs the consumer and the company money in lost profits from returned and exchanged boots while people with half-sized feet desperately try to figure out how in the world the things should fit. I have Bean Mocs and Bean Boots and they are two different sizes and neither really fits me., but they're each as close as they can get. It's very frustrating and I, for the life of me, can't figure out why Bean hasn't simply changed their procedures to help their customers. I still like my boots. With thick socks, they fit well enough, with a little bit of wiggle. They're otherwise warm, comfortable, but I wonder how well they'll fit a few years down the road.

I ordered the boots for myself for just an outdoors boot to possibly hunt it as well. The boots came in and they were very comfortable and stylish but big. I wear a size 10 so ordered a size 10 and they feel for like 11's. As a tip I would DEFINITELY order a full size lower than what you think you are especially if you are wearing the boots with a thinner socks. The insulation is what I expected, not winter boots fully but still good to hunt in and warm.

Fairly warm, definitely water proof. Comfortable

Boots are just what my grandson wanted but they run extremely large; difficult to obtain the appropriate size after the holidays (back ordered/ Feb.) -- Found them in flag ship store in Maine but "express" shipping took 5 days to Ma. (paid extra for it) Anyway, he loves the new boots --

Quality of the boot itself is top notch and likely deserves a 5 for an overall rating. I would give it a 4.5 due to the sizing issue. It recommends sizing down a full size or half a size if you a have normally wear a half-size. I would recommend sizing down 1.5 sizes if you wear a half size. Even with chunky socks, the boot runs a little big. I normally wear a 9.5 and ordered the 9.

I bought another pair to replace my well-worn pair from 1990. I plan to send the '90 pair back for new bottoms. The replacement pair is the exact same size and width at the '90 pair (8 GW). Unfortunately, the replacement pair is too narrow in the toes. The '90 pair is more "oval" shaped (roomier) where the replacement pair is more tapered in the toe area like a pair of tennis shoes. I can not use the replacement pair with anything but thin socks, where I could wear 2 pair of thin socks, or one pair of thick, in the '90 pair. I plan to send both pair back to LLBean so they can see what I need. Maybe I was not specific when I ordered or maybe they wore-out the "wider/roomier" mold and have only the narrower/more stylish mold still in use.

After about 2 hrs my feet did get cold even with wool socks. Indeed to LL claim - my socks were 100% dry. By far the best boots I have owned. It has great grip, and comfort. I would def step and purchase the sterling (extra warmth version) if only they had 8", and tan color. Even so, this boots are awesome. Def would recommend to friends! As always I love LL Bean, because of their superb policy and customer service!!!!

I definitely love how these boots look, and more importantly, they work great in snow or rain. However, the way the tongue connects to the shoe creates a fold that's constantly pressing into my inner ankle bone. I have been wearing them for 3 days and my ankles from both legs hurt very much. I googled around and found people said the best way to solve this problem is giving them some time and they will be eventually broken in. But is this normal to feel pain to wear any shoes in general?

A good boot, that will offer solid construction and years of usage. However with the thinsulate, I have yet to find any significant difference displayed by it. Good to wear to school or a good ol puck game, as well as a private school outing. Very versatile: dress it down with sweatpants, dress it up with khakis. However, while walking in the snow, the chill of the snow is felt through the gum? bottom, and the snow layers up below the boot so when you walk on hard surfaces after walking on snow, the balance of the boots thrown off. The length with thinsulate is perfect, just your usual shoe size. Without it(the normal version) order a size down. I personally wear them to school and to lacrosse games, so I do not tie them up properly, so they are slip on/off able. When walking like this, it hurts your arches, I would recommend not doing so. Also, the leather tends to bend at the heel, right wear the rubber bottom ends, which at times can be uncomfortable. All in all a great boot for casual wear, im planning on bringing them to the slopes, not sure if someone would wear them as per say a mailman in winter might need.

If you are considering these boots............pay close attention to sizing info................they really do run big..............order at least 1 size down

Although my order was back ordered and took quite a while to receive,I like my boots very much. I tried to get a pair just like the ones I've had for almost 20 years, you no longer offer the 6" boot. I hope these last half as long as my old ones. I wish they were broken in already!!

These boots have experienced sutle improvements over the years including insulation in the rubber/foot area. I ordered size 14 for my 15.5 husband and they worked great- but he wanted the higher ones- which I can't find in size 14, that's why I gave it 4 starts. Remember they run big

Customer service was correct when they suggested to purchase the shoe slightly smaller than my normal shoe size. They are comfortable. However, they are not water proof. I bought the water proofing boot guard and applied it before using this boot. I apply it every month. But the boot still allows water in, enough to stain my socks (it comes out in the wash) brown.

I was excited to get a pair of these classic boots. Unfortunately, I have wide feet and found that the W size was not nearly wide enough.

My son wears a 9.5 shoe. Bought him a size 10 boot thinking he could use the extra room for thick socks...but 10 is too big. I'm exchanging the boots for a size 9. Hope they won't be too small.

Over the years I have had a variety of boots, usually getting the more update techy ones. I finally decided to go to the original, made in Maine, Bean boots. The boots fit well and even in the first wearings were supple. The quality of manufacture shows up immediately. The reputation Bean boots have earned is truly justified.

I like the boot, however the Thinsulate is only on the sole, and does not include the upper leather portion. So you walk on a comfortable Thinsulate insert, but have no added insulation anywhere else. This may be a problem in extended cold conditions.

. Been wearing these boots for 15 years . Get a winter maybe two out of them. They do the job and my feet stay warm, but... Soles and heals wear out too quick. I end up replacing the laces if I try to get two winters out of a pair. Why can't you get them in dark brown like the hunting boots?

Feel good. I bought the boot seal(not in catalogs or on line) for extra water protection. I was told that they run a full size large so I bought 1 size smaller and they fit well.

Don't get me wrong, the boot is well made and performed very well in the field. But, the Thinsulate is too short. It needs to extend slightly above the rubber to leather seam to be of any value. The Thinsulate only extends 1 1/2 inches above the sole, why? Without purchasing good heavy boot shick which are available thru LlBean you WILL be subjected to blisters on your ankles.