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

I bought these boots a year ago for work. I'm a dog walker in the outer Boston neighborhoods so I'm out in all kinds of weather, five days a week, four to six hours a day. These boots have held up through relatively heavy use, both neighborhood and wooded park walking. (And don't let Boston confuse you, I'm in very wooded parks as often as I am on neighborhood streets.) The only real wear has been the soles, which no longer have a tread. I've also replaced the laces. These boots are comfortable enough for hiking and all of the walking I do, though I did add in some heavy duty sole inserts for extra comfort. I ended up wearing down the insoles that came with the boots! I do, however, have one complaint. While I love these boots, and I'd definitely recommend them, I've noticed one big flaw. The seam where the leather and rubber attach tends to leak and let in a significant amount of water. I've tried to combat this issue by waterproofing the leather and waxing the seam regularly. This has helped some, but if I'm out in the rain or snow all day I end up with soggy socks. Also, if I step in a puddle higher than the rubber my sock will definitely get wet. In the past my shoe choice has been combat boots, but the LL Bean boot is more comfortable, in my opinion. However, this leak issue is pretty uncomfortable. It'd be great if LL Bean were able to somehow seal this seam to prevent water from seeping in. Otherwise, a very durable and comfortable boot for heavy use! Also, the leather is quite comfortable after a little breaking in, plus extra softness from conditioning.

Nice boots and more comfortable than I expected. Haven't had a chance to wear them in wet weather yet, but so far they are nice and warm. Only giving 4 stars because I was hoping they would have better traction on ice than they do. Other than that I am very happy with them so far and am expecting to get many years of wear out of them. Make sure you follow the tip about ordering a smaller size than you normally wear to get a good fit unless you plan to wear heavy socks with them.

This is the first pair of Bean Boots I have owned, not that I haven't always wanted a pair. I purchased them primarily for rainy day bus duty at my school. However, the other day I had to leave suddenly while I had them on and ended up wearing them for the entire day! They were INCREDIBLY comfortable! I was so impressed by their wearability while walking, standing, and sitting. No matter what I was doing, my feet were warm, comfortable, and dry! Thanks Bean for a great boot!

boots replaced the older pull on style.. i had. theese boots have less insulation in them.covers only the rubber part.and the leather upper has none. used for driving snow plow trucks

I love these boots. However I did not believe they would size down as warned on the product description page (ie if you are an 11 buy a 10). None of my shoes are like that!!! When they arrived, I had to send them back for a smaller size. But now I'm happy - I have a great fitting pair of beans!

When I was first ordering these, I was skeptical of ordering a full size down from my regular size, as the sizing guide said, but I did it anyway. Once I received them and put them on for the first time, they definitely felt tight, mostly in the width (I ordered a 10M), across the top of my foot. I also noticed that the fold in the tongue of the boot hit directly on my ankle bone on each foot. This made it feel like my ankle was getting bruised. I almost returned them, but I decided to wear them around the house for a few days. After 2-3 days of wear, they loosened up and felt much better. I have worn them with fairly thick athletic socks, with and without poly propylene sock liners. Both combinations work well. I would say follow the sizing guidelines, and give them a chance to get broken in before wearing them outside. I hope this pair lasts a long time.

I am a bit disapointed that the thinsulate lining is only in the footbed, not lining the whole boot. You have to be careful not to role the edge of the liner under your foot. These boots are suitable only for use with heavy winter socks, but with heavy socks they are just fine in quite cold temperatures.

Been hunting in the original boot for 40 years and decided to get a pair of these for quick trips around the neighborhood. Somewhat a tighter fit than what I am used to but within 20 minutes they were broken in well. Was a bit surprised at the length of the back order however.

These boots arrived just in time for me to use in our first storm of 26" of snow. They were the right size, warm and comfortable. I look forward to many years of use.

I bought these as a gift for someone who works outside in all kinds of weather and needs waterproof footwear. After reading the reviews, I decided to go with his regular size 12 instead of sizing down as suggested in the description. Many reviews indicated they run large but not a full size or size and a half. He first said they were too big, but then decided he probably couldn't wear a full size smaller, so he kept them. He is wearing them OK with the thicker LLB wool-blend hiking socks. So, half sizes should order down, but whole sizes--?? Other than the sizing he likes them and wears them often, not just for work, so I am rating them 4 stars based on that and their great reputation. He hasn't had them long enough to comment on their durability but I expect it to be excellent. These are more expensive than some other similar brands, but hopefully the quality will be worth the extra cost, and LLB customer service is tops should there be a problem with them. I took off a star because of the sizing issue. These boots really should be offered in half-sizes.

First boots ordered fit snug (width) so called in and within minutes we had replacement (wider) boots being sent out. Return process via the prepaid UPS tag was simple to complete too. 2nd pair came quickly and I have been enjoying them ever since. Only suggestion is to extend leather further down the heal to ease when you push them off with you toe.

my husband wears a 10 1/2, but we were directed to go 1 1/2 sizes down to a 9 if he wears thin to medium socks. He had to return them, the 9 is too small. We are hoping the 10 is just right for him.

I ordered these on Friday and they got here within 3 days. Its starting to get colder here in NYC and I am looking forward to wearing them. My feet get cold during the winter with other boot brands so I am excited to use these asap.

These boots are sexy beautiful and fully functional for my needs. I got them to use in shovelling snow and walking to work. I've only just received them and worn them a couple of times, so I can't comment on longerm enjoyement yet. But I am delighted by them. The sizing instructions worked for me, especially with the Bean socks.

Very good Quality, just as expected.

i ordered these for my husband and followed the directions exactly - ordering a 7 for my husband who wears an 8 1/2. He argued with me, but I insisted the instructions said to do that, but sure enough they were 1 size too small. Great boots, just buy them more true to size.

you cannot wear socks with this boot..that's why the lining comes out with it..if you wear socks the lining sticks to the sock..great boot,warm and easy to put on..customer service was great. the size ..one size lower than what your real size is..overall very happy!!

Nice & durable looking boots. Nice quality leather uppers, with well constructed rubber bottoms. Followed sizing instructions, but boots were very narrow. Was told by Custoemr Service Rep. that these boots are not good for people with high instep, arch. Might try the wide fitting wide. Overall boot is well constructed.

New purchase. Only worn boots less than a week and the fabric is already coming off of the inserts. Requested replacement inserts. LL Bean won't just replace the defective inserts without also having to return the boots. So, return $159 boots rather than just replacing what's probably $5 inserts... Yikes.

Ive had a few pr over the yrs. Only reason im giving a moderate score is tt the right boot leaks and the pr needs to be returned/replaced.

I was extremely disappointed in these boots as they were not up to the quality of the last pair I owned that lasted for 20 plus years. The boot shaft (from the sole to the top of the boot) is not as long, the laces were barely long enough to double knot, and the tongue didn't fold under the laces comfortably. I ordered the men's style as the women's style has too pointy a toe. Yet this men's style had a toe that was a little pointier than I would like. Plus, I thought that the indication on the chart for narrow width indicated the letter B which is what I wear in women's shoes but this width was rather narrow. As I don't wear the boots on a regular basis, they will be okay and the leather will soften over the years but I was disappointed in the quality for the price I paid.

Would be nice if they offered half siZes. Had to purchase shoe inserts to accommodate sizing issue. 11 was too small 12 was too big.

I ordered a 14 EE and received a 14 d. They didn't fit so I sent them back.

The boots fit my feet all right but they are a little long - not a big problem. After just a couple of months of wear following treatment with Boot Guard they are still waterproof but time will tell. I do have 2 frustrating problems. I special ordered my boots with hooks instead of eyes for the top 3 attachments for the laces. I am sure that the individual I spoke to initially about the hooks said that they would be installed in the top three positions. Instead they were in the second, third and fourth position from the top with an eye at the top, which goes a long way toward defeating the purpose of the hooks , to make lacing up easier and quicker. I was surprised to be told that that is just the way L.L.Bean does it and you are not going to change. I have owned more than a few pairs of boots over the years and never seen this done before and can't understand why it would be done. My other problem is that, while the boot fits my feet just fine, when I tighten the laces the leather sides of the boot that the laces are attached to meet in the center before the boot is snug to my leg. I am wearing pretty heavy socks and I could not be accused of having slender legs so I don't think that this should be happening. I understand that these boots are made to accommodate insulating inserts but they are sold to be used without the inserts so this really should not happen. When I brought these concerns up while speaking to one of your representatives she did remind me that I could return them for a full refund, no problem, but I was a bit surprised that L.L.Bean would give no consideration to addressing either of these concerns or consider making any changes. The boots are usable so I intend to keep them but I am left with the feeling that my efforts at helpful criticism were simply dismissed and, apparently, considered irrelevant or undo-able.

Leather is beautiful boot is great looking, if only I could break it in and ware it comfortably? The leather is stiff and uncomfortable.