Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Gumshoe

Years ago, I bought a pair of Gumshoes with Thinsulate insulation. I wish to buy another pair, but now, you no longer make them with insulaion! Once again I am disappointed with LL Bean!

Tis product is accurately described. There are many instances in the winter and early spring when this type of shoe are mandated, because of wet and muddy conditions. They are very easy-- "on and off". That said -- I wish Bean's produced an insulated model of this basic shoe for the colder winter temperatures. Still they are my "go-to" footwear for most wet and muddy conditions. For deeper snow -- I like the higher Bean models.

These boots fully meet L.L. Bean's standard of high quality. My only complaint is the design of the tongue. It is not sewn to the flap that contain the eyelets. Therefore it allows water or snow to leak into the boot if it comes up to just below the bottom eyelet. It also creates a pocket at this same point. These boots are not designed to wade water or deep snow but could be more functional if the tongue was redesigned. Customer service is excellent. I also wish they sold shoe laces.

Love the style and comfort of this boot. My only criticism of this boot is the 'unattached side walls of the tongue" that allows water into the boot - resulting in wet socks. I imagine that this would be a simple design change, hope LL Bean might consider it. Please continue to make these boots - Made in the USA.

These are great boots. As noted by others you'll want to order a size smaller. My only complaint is that I like to leave them loosely laced and slip in and out of them without using my hands. The tongue is so floppy that it invariably slides down jamming my foot entry and requiring me to manually pull the tongue back up straight. I'm still working on a solution.

I have a super wide foot. Your boot offerings are wonderful for me and very well made. I am quite satisfied for the quality and price. Thank you Caleb the Cobbler. Have a great new year.

We would like to have these gum boots in other colors as was possible in the past. We are glad to have the EE wide size available but would also like to have the shoe in red brick or navy blue color as used to be available.

My husband and I have had LL Bean gum shoes for years, long before they were "fashionable."They are great for rainy and/or muddy days. My husband wears a 14 B which is available in the LL Bean 6" and mocs but not the gum shoe. It looks like the bottoms of all these shoes are the same so why isn't there a 14B in the gum shoes? Is there any way of ordering one?

These shoes are as expected...great! However, I can't convey how disappointed I am that LL Bean totally dropped the ball as far as the laces! The laces are the same lace that's put in the boots, but the laces in the Gumshoes are incredible SHORT! There is barely enough length to tie the shoes. LL Bean needs to start using laces that are at, a minimum, 4 inches longer. I'm sure I'm not the first to notice this. I'm going to have to go search for laces long enough to use with these Gumshoes!

Caution; these are very large! Normally I would fit in a 11 wide. The ones I bought at the store in Freeport are a 10 and I wished they sold a 9 1/2. They are sill a bit large, but these shoes only come in full sizes. They are not very comfortable. I would hate to have to walk in them all day. On hot days my feet sweat and the shoes don't breath and on cold days my feet freeze. There is no cushion to the insole so you feel every pebble. These are not work shoes. But if you are going to a meeting on a raining night, they are the perfect shoe.

Great shoe while they last. Third pair I've had. They last about 5 years until the stitching between the rubber bottom and the leather upper disintegrates. Suggest they use a more longer lasting thread.

I ordered these shoes for the regular running around I do in rainy weather. L.L. Bean predicted delivery over a month away. They arrived in about 10 days. These seem to be just the ticket for my intended use. It seems to me, though, the L.L. Bean could do better with sizing. I normally wear a 9 1/2 W shoe. L.L. Bean says to order a size to a size and a half smaller than your normal size. Now why, pray tell, is that necessary? L. L. Bean makes these shoes - has been for years. Shouldn't they be able to properly size their shoes? Apparently not. So... following directions I ordered a size down, which, since half sizes are not available (please L. L. Bean, make half sizes) brought me to a size 8 W. Scary. I haven't worn a size 8 since I was in grade school (WELL past grade school now). Well - as it turns out, the size 8 I got was probably the best size to have ordered. But - they are a bit to short and a bit too narrow. And being rubber, they won't wear larger as I use them. A size 9 W probably have been too long and no better in the width department. Life would be much easier with correct show sizing here.

These are excellent quality shoes. I would make one suggestion: place some type of retention means for holding the tongue in place when you slip your foot into the shoe. The tongue slips down in the shoe and I have to pull it out each time I put the shoe on. A small suggestion, but it can make a big difference. Thanks

I like the gumshoe very much, except for the narrow heel. In my size 8 shoe the heel is only 2.5 inches wide. Typically, the heel in my other shoes is at least 3.25 in wide. The problem with this narrow heel is that it makes easy to turn an ankle when walking on on uneven ground. The problem may be worsened by the relatively high heel height (5/8 in). I believe a wider heel would be a substantive improvement.

Taking some time to break in. Still feel big, seems there are no half sizes but there should be. After making these for so many years, LL Bean might learn to make them to size. Good construction and matches the tall pair of Bean boots I have.

Nice small shoe. Keeps your feet dry when washing the car or in a light snow. The main thing I like about them is that they are easy to get on. The main thing I don't like is the tight instep. Took three months to get these shoes.

As all Bean Boots these are well made however they seem about 1/2 size too large. I remedied this with bulky socks which can be hot in the summer. I primarily use these for garden shows so they are reasonably comfortable. The back order was extended from the original date so that was a bit inconvenient but not a big issue. The customer service rep I talked to was extremely helpful, polite professional, friendly and knowledgeable and apologized for the delays several times. All in all it was a good shopping experience and the shoes are of high quality and well made .

Love the shoe. Always the best. 3-4 week back order delayed delivery but Bean was good about keeping me informed

Bought these for summer work as winter shoes too heavy. They have proved to be an excellent choice so far. Pay attention to sizing recommendations as I wear a solid 10 and bought size 9 as directed. Fit is great even with thin socks although a heavier sock is more comfortable. I am hard on shoes for work and curious to see how these hold up over time.

Just replaced my LL Bean rubber shoes after 15 years of use. As I get older my feet got bigger..otherwise, would still be using the old pair. Great for the New Hampshire mud season; light weight, keeps feet dry, and easily sheds muck and mud. Only minor problem: my right foot has a "double angle", that is the bone protrudes and was irritated by contact with the upper on the inside of my shoe. Easily remedied with a small piece of foam rubber covered by 2" oval of light weight leather contact cemented to the offending spot. Bingo! Fantastic fit, great outdoor shoe. If I live long enough I'll buy another pair in 15 yrs.

Great shoe! A little wide and long but ok fit with thicker socks. Usually wear a 10.5 or 11 and bought a 10 and probably could have bought a 9. Still love the product

Have been wanting to get these for years, but buying shoes online is a tough one; wide feet, narrow hear, orthotics. Have to try on before buying. But read sizing recommendations and called customer service. Ordered, received, tried on. Was not a perfect fit, but wear an extra pair of medium thick socks or single pair of heavy socks. Since then have "worked" them everyday for the past week in a variety of Kentucky weather conditions.. Believe they are my all time favorite shoes. May start wearing them to church. Great support, moisture protection and overall comfort. This old man loves 'em !

I really like the quality built into the L. L. Bean Gum shoes I purchased which are size 11, but they are a tad too big. I do wish they came in 1/2 sizes since my feet are actually 10 1/2, but they will be fine for wearing to work with big ragg socks. I think size 10 would be a bit too small, so I'll just learn to adjust.

I'd echo what many have said about the quality of these shoes, BUT... They aren't quite right. I have the high boots, and the tongue is gusseted to the body of the boot. But in these shoes the tongue is NOT attached to the sides, and hence water falling on the top of the shoe leaks in. I really don't see a reason why they didn't gusset it; the fit would probably be as good (again, I can compare to my higher boots which otherwise are the same). Rather unfortunate because otherwise they'd be perfect.

I have several pairs of Bean boots, but this is the 1st time owning the Gumshoe. Finally was able to test it at a rainy, cold, band competition. Kept my feet dry & comfortable. The lower profile, compared to my other Bean boots, rubs a little around the ankle. I believe a little more break-in period & it should be better. I agree with other reviews that the tongue needs to be longer, as it stops at the top of the shoe. FIT: reviews of larger/smaller than usual concerned me, so I called the service rep. I normally wear a 10 wide & she agreed with me that to have the flexibility of wearing white crew socks, or a wool sock, this size would work. I based this on having bought a 6" boot in size 11 wide. It fits, wearing 2 pairs of socks. I also replaced the insole with a Memory Foam Insole that I prefer. All in all I'm pleased.