Calling all LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Boots owners - Page 47

I'm stuck between the Katahdins and these Merrells.

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-wilderness-canyon-origins-espresso

They would be used for NYC Fall/Winter with about 2 miles of daily walking on plowed sidewalks and occasional unplowed areas.

EMY--

All merrels I've owned wore quickly on pavement. But that may be because I tried to making hiking sneakers into sneakers. I only wear my chameleons on the trail now. The leather on all merrels I've had is inferior to that on my katahdins, though I've never had boots by them.

Anyway, I love my katahdins more than any pair of boots or shoes i have or have had. I think the styling is more versatile than those merrels--the padded cuff and lugs make them seem a little out of place on the street, whereas the captoe on the katahdins make them fit in better in an office.

Add that to the Made-in-USA cachet and the pleasantries of working LL Bean customer service, and I recommend the Katahdins 8 days a week.

Does anyone have any more fit pics they could upload or take? Im trying to decide if they are too bulky before the 10% deal passes. I'd just be wearing them as a casual boot for the fall/winter. This fit pic supposedly shows the boot but could it be the water proof version? They look quite bulky PIC.

Thanks for any input

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/49464?feat=wo&moe=ordhistory

They are back on the website!

Just got an email from LL Bean. Mine shipped out yesterday. I'll get them today!

that pic makes them look bulky...but they never look that giant on me...maybe those are the wide version? in a giant size?

there are an ass ton of pics though...you're just gonna have to search (or set it to show a hundred posts per page and just start scrolling)

gnatty had a nice post in the rrl or MC casual thread with a pair of beat up katahdins (no sno seal or obenaufs ever by the looks of it),

My Katahdin Engineer boots arrived today...incredible service from Bean as usual. Ordered 1/2 size down and they seem to fit just right. I've owned Chippewas before and usually remove their insole immediatley and replace with some Super Feet insoles that work for me. The leather is a much darker oiled leather than my last pair and I guess they come with a flat welt now. Same clasic pattern outsole, but in a darker Neoprene? Overall I think I preferred the old look better. I'll post pics later

Some nice new Chippewa Katahdin-like boots at J. Crew:

http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/ruggedboots/PRDOVR~54480/54480.jsp



Typical for J. Crew though, the price isn't so nice. 100 bucks more than the Katahdin's! Oh well, instakop for me regardless.

Haha. I'm buying those tomorrow too. Going to order them from the local J. Crew to bypass the shipping. Will wear them in the rain. Bought a pair of Chippewa from J. Crew last winter and they were great, comfy and warm.

I love the description...apparently what they mean by "our design team recreated a pair of 1930s work boots found in Chippewa's archives, selecting each and every detail (even down to the sole)" is really "our design team took a currently available design, used different leather and smaller toe cap and gave up on everything else (even the sole)"

Dunno why they would even throw in that paranthetical about the sole if they were going to keep the EXACT SAME sole as the llbean boots that have been available for years and years.

edit: I'm not a fan of the color as-is but I think it would look better than the katahdins with a coat of sno-seal or obenaufs (I think my katahdins get a bit too dark right after waterproofing).

^^^ Those J.Crews look good

Ordered engineer boots...

Just ordered these. They don't ship until Halloween tho..

It might ship before that. I also ordered mine today. Based on the Alden x J. Crew and another pair of Chippewas I ordered last year, both pairs shipped earlier than the estimated dates.

I think I may have to call and size up. I ordered a 10D thinking these ran a little big, then went to the garage and checked my Katahdins which look to be made on the same last and they are 11D. I guess I could have done that first, but it would have been too easy.

Is it just me, or is the toe cap on those J.Crew boots too short?