Calling all LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Boots owners - Page 65

I just received a pair of these recently and I'm not too impressed with the quality. Maybe I'm being too nitpicky, but the stitching on the sole near the toe of the boot is crooked on one shoe. Also, the cap toe is attached on an angle which slopes back from the inside of the shoe. This angle is greater on the left shoe than it is on the right. The inside leather of the boot also looks fuzzy like some of the pictures posted in this thread which leads me to believe it is split grain.

 

This thread doesn't look too active, but if anyone is interested I can take pictures.

0mfg, moc toe Katahdin's now @ Bean:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/74748?feat=508832-CL1&attrValue_0=Brown&productId=1242662

 

If you're not satisfied, contact LL Bean. They will gladly exchange it for a new one or refund you, even if you've worn it a bit. 

I too am having a hard time getting the sizing right. Since I wear a 9.5 in most shoes, I ordered these in size 9 (based on suggestions here), but found that the toe-box pinched my little toe. I returned them for a pair in 9.5, which I initially thought were going to work out. Now, after wearing them for 8 days straight, I'm beginning to think these are too narrow, especially in the outer (little) toe and the outside edge of the foot just below that. They're usually fine in the morning, but start giving me headaches towards the middle of the day.

I do believe that these boots are long enough. Is it possible that the leather will relax after wearing them more? My worry is that if this approach doesn't work, I'll end up with shoes that are considerably more worn (and less return-able). Should I consider the wide sizes? I've never in my life worn wide shoes. Is the wide version wider all the way through, or just in the vicinity of the ball of the foot? I'm considering trying the 9EE first, since the 9D may have only been too narrow and not too short. Any advice? Similar experiences?

I'm an 11D.

ordered 11D, too big even with boot socks, returned
ordered 10.5D, right length, too narrow
a 10.5W is on it;s way to me, will report back

I decided to keep my pair of Katahdins since I read on the bean website that it will take 3-4 weeks for the replacements to be shipped out to Canada.

 

I was thinking of applying some sort of product on them, but I'm not sure which. There are plenty of pictures of Obenaufed boots in this thread, and they look nice. They are a little dark, but the colour looks better than what the katahdins come as.

 

What about mink oil? What sort of effect does that have on this type of leather? I was also thinking of polish, but again I'm not sure if it would work well on the Katahdins. Is there anyway to make them a little less matte?

Man, the wides fit marginally better but are ten times uglier.

Way too wide in appearance, and the newer ones have cheaper looking leather and are a lot darker.
I'm thinking of keeping my old pair.

Does anyone have experience, will they stretch out a bit with wear?
They're not super tight, just enough that my toes can;t wiggle freely.

Hey everyone, I've been considering these boots, but was wondering if they might be a bit too big or clunky for me? There are some good pages on page 40 of this thread that I saw (http://www.styleforum.net/t/144358/calling-all-llbean-katahdin-iron-works-boots-owners/480) and they look okay with a 7.5" hem...

 

But I'm 5'11", 140lbs and wear a 28/29. Would these boots look kind of silly with slim jeans/pants with a 7" hem and with me with such a thin frame? I don't have a particularly rugged style, so am wondering if these would look out of place.

I've actually been wondering the same thing. Been meaning to lock down on these boots before it gets cold or they go out of stock and I'm about the same size as you (5'10 150lbs.) and most of my jeans are 6.5-7.3" hems. Fortunately I'm a size 7.5 so they shouldn't look to clown-like but I'm more concerned about how the break will look. 

Anyone have some good fit pics of the Katahdins with slimmer jeans?

I'd keep the 10.5D and hope they stretch in width.

Just thought I'd report back about my sizing situation. Currently, I have in my possession two pairs of Katahdins: 9.5D and 9EE. They're both long enough, but the 9.5D is uncomfortably narrow towards the front. I wore them for 2 weeks straight and my little toe always felt like it was ready to burst through the side of the boot. To my feet, it seems the normal width Katahdins were made for people with only 4 toes. I think I'm going to keep the EEs.

My only disappointment with the 9EEs is that they are maybe (maybe) slightly too loose in the heel and middle part of the shoe. I feel a little more sure-footed in the Ds, but worry the toes would never stretch adequately. Everyone talks about boots fitting "snug", but how snug is too snug? If I could get some confirmation that the forefoot would stretch significantly over time I might consider keeping the 9.5Ds.

Ruben,
In my opinion, the appearance of the EE boots is only about 10-15% worse. If I didn't have the two side by side, I honestly wouldn't know the difference.

I had the same issue between the widths.

I ended up keeping the EE and just wearing mid weight wool socks with it even if it's a bit warmer out. I'd rather have the comfort especially with boots like this.

Hey everyone, just got my Kats. I don't really have much info to add, just the redundant bit about them looking much darker than I expected.. almost black, really.

 

 

Now I'm also looking for a lighter boot. Does anyone have any suggestions for under $150?

 

I know everyone is a fan of obernauf'ing them.. but is there anything I can do to make them lighter without damaging the leather too much?

Edited by Jayross - 8/23/12 at 11:40pm

If you want something in the same price/quality range....

http://www.zappos.com/chippewa-american-handcrafted-gq-tan-rodeo-boot-tan?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_brand_page

Quick question on sizing. I tried on a pair of RW Iron Rangers, size 10. They fit decently, maybe very slightly snug. What size would best suit me in the Katahdins?