Calling all LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Boots owners

like a barrel on two toothpicks.

It takes a good 2 weeks to break them in. A better boot in my opinion is the Wolverine Addison 1000 Mile Boot. Easy break in.

Originally Posted by JCHolmes

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It takes a good 2 weeks to break them in. A better boot in my opinion is the Wolverine Addison 1000 Mile Boot. Easy break in.

Personally, I think the 2 boots serve different purposes. I use the LL Bean boot for every possible work activity from the occasional boiler room visits to the garden to going out to bars. It's versatile enough for me. I wouldn't even think about putting the Addison through all that ****, it's just way to pretty.

If you're talking purely wearing the boots for vanity purposes, yeah i suppose the addison is "better" in term of looks and leather quality.

No one has anything to say about them being tucked?

I can't see them being tucked but i think you can pull it off if you have skinny legs. I'm thinking someone who wears a waist 28-30 could pull it off. I can't see any boot that comes equipped with speed hooks being worn tucked and looking good, but i could be proven wrong.

Yea I understand what you mean. I've been wanting a pair of Katahdins but recently wanted to buy a pair of tuckable boots.

I never understood the tucking obsession, but there is a photo on page 2 of this thread that shows them tucked.

I got them before last winter and only got them into moderate use. I went with a size 11, which is typical for me with regards to dress shoes.

Originally Posted by BlueHorseShoe

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Damn, now I'm rethinking Obenauf'ing them every month.

How is the ruggedness of this compared to Blundstone or Timberland? (the only others I have experience with)

When my first pair of Timberlands were worn out I got Blundstone and until present those have been almost perfect: hard-wearing, supple, waterproof, tuck-able, easy to remove. Downside is that they're not pretty in any way and the sole is not replaceable. I use those for travel, hiking, rainy days, dirty work. Unfortunately on a hike not long ago I've had to go in them for several rainy days where they were soaked through, and now have dried very stiff and is starting to crack (don't know what I could have done to have prevented this).

I came here because of having read many times how good the katahdin is,
I am a bit torn between buying katahdin or new blundstones (I especially like the more elegant 62 & 63 models, with a more natural toeline, but with much less profile in the sole).

Is the goodyear-welting functionally as good as the injected rubber soles?

Some people say these fit TTS some say size down .5. How do they fit compared to red wing boots sizing. I wear a 9 in mostly everything and I wear 8.5D in Red Wings. Should I go half down like red wings or TTS?

I went with the same rw size. The rw's actually fit a bit looser.

Let me rephrase: are these workboots any good for hiking, and are they water resistant or waterproof?

Originally Posted by rossi

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Let me rephrase: are these workboots any good for hiking, and are they water resistant or waterproof?

A few facts:

-These are leather workboots.
-Leather is not waterproof but can be made water resistant if treated with Sno-seal, mink oil, etc.

-These have flat soles.
-Most hikers want a lug sole for traction.

-These are nice looking boots.
-Blundstones are fugly.

Originally Posted by Johdus Fanfoozal

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-These are nice looking boots.
-Blundstones are fugly.

That's for dam sure.