To Bean Boot or not to Bean Boot...

[whiteslashasian]

It's that time of year...winter. A few weeks ago I got caught in that horrible snow/slush mess we got here in NYC with my leather soled Allen Edmonds Park Avenue's

and vowed to never let it happen again.

That said I've been looking into some kind of appropriate footwear to use in heavy rain/snow/ice/slush and it seems like everything points me to a Duck Boot or more specifically, the Bean Boot.

Is there anything I should know about these boots other than to go a size down. Any reason to go 10in, 8in, insulated, etc? Or is that all personal preference? How are they comfort wise?

Any other alternatives other than overshoes? I'd like to keep it under $120 if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Slewfoot]

I'm thinking about ordering a pair as well after the NYC snowstorm the other week. I was walking around for 3 hours doing last minute Christmas shopping - not fun. I'm leaning towards these: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...tn&cat4=502767 Since I'm a 10 or 10.5 C (depending on shoe) sounds like I'd be fine in a 10 narrow. Best, David

 

[Cid]

I have had a pair of Bean Boots for nearly 20 years. My experience has been that they are a great value. Bean used to offer free repairs/resoling for life, which I have taken advantage of once.

 

[romafan]

I might get some Muck Boots....

 

[why]

I like to wear wellies.

 

[Wes Bourne]

For winter wear, I alternate between 2 pairs of Red Wing GTs (dry conditions), some Acton Joule overshoes for snowy days when I'm wearing dress shoes to the office

and finally, I have some Sorel 1964 Pac as well as Sorel Mounty boots for days when it's dumping snow outside.

I highly recommend Sorel 1964 Pac boots (with or without the fur trim liner), they're super warm, even on the coldest days and remarkably lightwight given their bulkyness. Buy them in your usual dress shoe size; they're made roomy to acommodate wear with thick wool socks.

 

[ccffm1]

I used to have a pair of Bean Boots. They entered Nirvana about three years ago, but I have to say that I was very satisfied with them. I´d definitely buy them again, but at the moment I´m just too cheap to stomach shipping costs to Germany.

 

[doink]

Originally Posted by RLlikes

I have had a pair of Bean Boots for nearly 20 years. My experience has been that they are a great value. Bean used to offer free repairs/resoling for life, which I have taken advantage of once.


I had new rubber bottoms put on mine about 6 years ago and had to pay for it. Still cheaper than new boots, especially considering the uppers were in perfect shape and continue to be nearly 10 years after buying them.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Thanks for all of the info everyone. I will look into those 1964 Pac boots for my super crazy blizzard and ski trip winter wear. I'm going to jump on a pair of 10" Bean Boots with the Thinsulate while they still have my size.

 

[Catechumen]

Originally Posted by doink

I had new rubber bottoms put on mine about 6 years ago and had to pay for it. Still cheaper than new boots, especially considering the uppers were in perfect shape and continue to be nearly 10 years after buying them.

Were you expecting new rubber bottoms to be put on your Bean boots for free?

 

[doink]

Originally Posted by Catechumen

Were you expecting new rubber bottoms to be put on your Bean boots for free?

No, I am just relaying my experience in relation to the one above that mentioned they would resole for free.

 

[Catechumen]

Originally Posted by doink

No, I am just relaying my experience in relation to the one above that mentioned they would resole for free.

Yes, you're right - sorry. I didn't read the earlier posting carefully enough.

My recollection of L.L. Bean goes back 30 years and I neever reall them offering to attach new bottoms to their Maine Hunting Shoes (Bean Boots) for free.

 

[Connemara]

I love my Bean boots. I have the Gore-Tex 8" and they're great in snow and rain. I was worried about my feet overheating due to the insulation but it is fine.

 

[Keon]

Anyone know a good winter city boot? For snow/slush and the fact that my city overdoes it with the salt on the sidewalk.

 

[bl@ster]

Necrobumping this ages old thread to say: New 100th Anniversary Maine Hunting Shoes (Bean Boots) just released. Looks like they replicate the original 1912 version:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/72753?feat=510482-GN2