Bean Maine Hunting Shoe Owners?

[lloyd dobler]

Hi all - first time posting. Hopefully I'm posting in the correct forum.

Do we have any owners of the LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe? If so, what are your thoughts, and where do you normally use the boots? Do you find the 10" height to be overkill for everyday use?

I live in northeast CT and plan on using the boot throughout winter on the snowy/rainy days and throughout the spring and fall mud season. I currently own the Bean mocs, and wear these during the winter...love these for the walk to the office and I can throw on the dress shoes.

Lastly - for those of you who may own the MHS and a regular Bean Boot - is there is a preference of using the MHS over the regular Bean Boots? I don't do much hiking or hunting so would the MHS still work for the walks into work, wearinga round the office on casual days, out to dinnner/bars etc or should I look to the 8" or 10" bean boot?

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[JO3B]

I foolishly purchased these for stylistic purposes. I can't do them that way, though i won't deny that some people can. Obviously they have utilitarian use as well but i have other boots for that. The 10" is def overkill, unless its not of course. I live in NYC and even with this neverending show we have i would never need all that boot up my leg.

Also they shouldn't be worn for a full day because the rubber is just horrible for breathability.

 

[bosatlbwi]

I think 10" would go over my knees.

 

[Alex C]

I have the 10" boot. I bought them for heavy snow and upland bird hunting. I'd recommend sizing up to allow large wool socks.

That being said, even with my mucky applications, I wish I'd gone shorter. They're a real pain ********** to put on. I've left snowy shoes on indoors just because I'd leave again in a relatively short while and didn't want to spend the couple of minutes taking them off/putting them back on. Go as short as you think viable for your application.

 

[Harold falcon]

I own both the MHS and regular short bean boots. The MHS I only wear for shoveling snow or working outside in the snow. The bean boots I will wear to work.

Also, my automobile is a manual transmission and I find the MHS just about impossible to wear while driving.

 

[makewayhomer]

I have the 8 inch Bean Boot w/ Goretex and Thinsulate. I think that is the ideal height/feature set. money boots.

 

[porcelain monkey]

I have a pair of the waxed canvas version from the Signature line, and I am very pleased with them. I like that look better than the traditional leather. I find them best for slush and rain. They are fine in the snow, good traction and all, but even with heavy wool socks I don't think you want to be standing around too much if it's much below freezing. When it's really cold I revert to my Sorels with the heavy wool lining.

 

[randomkoreandude]

DC (and a lot of east coast) got hit with snow/sleet mixture last night

i was rocking the sig canvas bean boots all day and they were perfect with some thick wool socks

btw there is an official llbean/sig thread so post there

 

[MiniW]

I own the 10" maine hunting boot and it has gotten tons of wear every winter (especially this year in NYC). I lace them loosely and just slip them on when I am walking the dog or running errands around the city. most of the pants I wear just bunch up at the top so I don't worry about them getting dirty. I definitely wouldn't wear them if I was going to be indoors for a long period of time, but for slushing around outside I couldn't think of anything better. They have also saved my feet a few times when I walk unknowingly into those large deep puddles that look like pavement in the dark on some of the street corners in the city.

 

[jackdaw]

I've got 6" Bean boots--easy to put on and take off and more than adequate for slush and snow in town. Slim enough to drive the cramped pedals on my MT Subaru. They also come in a narrow width as well as med. which is quite snug. For tramping the woods in really cold weather and deeper snow I like the Sorel style pac boots from Schnee's Boots in Bozeman, MT. Much better quality all around, good support and great traction with their air bob sole. That said I had a pair of the old Sorels that lasted through 20 years of hunting, skiing, and working in the woods in MT and CO.

 

[bigbjorn]

I have 10" MHS. I wear them snowblowing, for soggy commutes, and wore them hiking last weekend in the snow. I find the 10" height ideal - it comfortably allows you to leave the top two lace holes unlaced, as you should on high boots, and means they work well with knee-high gaiters if you're in deep snow. Good product.

 

[lloyd dobler]

Thanks all for the feedback...what height are boots in the signature line?

 

[brianoh]

Not sure. I have the waxed canvas sig. I get compliments all the time and I walk around in the NYC winter like a boss.

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by lloyd dobler

Thanks all for the feedback...what height are boots in the signature line?

I guess they would be 10" They have eight eyelets and measure 9 1/2 inches from the heel to top of the upper. I typically leave the top three unlaced the wrap the laces once when I tie them. This makes it easier to get on and off quickly.

 

[bigbjorn]

Oh yeah, and don't size up. I'm a 9.5E (sometimes 10D), and I wear a 9 in the unlined MHS, with liner socks and thick ragg wool socks.