LL Bean Rubber Bottom/Leather Top Boots. Yes or No?

S

Scott Free

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
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A long time ago, I had a pair of knock-off rubber bottom/leather top boots similar to those made by LL Bean. I didn't find them particularly comfortable, but as mentioned, mine were knock-offs. Who has the real deal, and what do you think of them for woods walking through muck and snow?
 
I have owned more than one pair from LL Bean and they are great boots to just slip on and go out in the snow and slush.
 
I wore mine around NYC streets and in the parks in winter. Warm and dry. Not the best traction but OK for just walking.
 
If your talking about the maine hunting shoe they are very good. LLBean is one of the few outfits that has such a boot produced and gives accurate sizing info. Allows you to buy shoes that will fit with whatever level of insulation you want to wear.
 
It took me a while to get used to my Main Hunting Shoes (which I use for ... hunting) but they are my goto boots now. I'd buy another pair.

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Beckerhead #42
 
I'm getting a pair of the 12" Maine Hunting Shoes from the in-laws for Christmas this year. Tried them on at the flagship store and though I take a size 9.5 normally a size 8 fit me comfortably with enough space for some heavy socks. They were really comfy and I'm looking forward to them replacing my Corcoran leather flight boots as my outdoor boots--they were a nice gift from a friend but they'll be my riding boots now. :):thumbup:
 
one of my favorite boots ever. as long as you get the right size, you will be happy, im sure.
 
This old pair of Bean Boots were purchased in 1990. They are as functional today as they were when new.
I have trekked through most of the swamps in North Florida wearing these. They are comfortable all day long, and very effective with regards to insulation and being water proof.
BeanBoots.jpg
 
Having owned the basic (uninsulated) models of both the LLBean boots and the Cabelas knock-offs, I prefer the Cabelas version. The sole is sturdier ,provides greater traction, and seems to resist abrasion better. When wearing the Bean boots, my socks tended to creep down my foot and bunch up at the toe while walking. I found either boot unsuitable for really cold weather for as with any rubber boot the feet will sweat in them and freeze, ultimately they are best suited for wear in damp conditions and moderate temps. LLBean used to make a version of this boot with very sturdy bottoms and Vibram soles (wouldn't have believed it but a good friend owns a pair), wish they still did. One big plus with the Bean boot is they will put new bottoms on them for quite a bit less than the cost of a new boot.
 
the bean rubber - leather boot was such an early innovation success it was a cornerstone of the great l.l. bean company. buy the l.l.bean not a knockoff. several years back i opted to pick up two pair of less expensive clones. the synthetic uppers fell apart after 6 yrs. of minor use . they just degraded sitting in closet.
dennis
 
Leon Leonwood Bean designed the Maine Hunting Shoe (boots) in about 1912. These leather top/rubber bottom boots have been in almost constant production since that period from what I have read. IMO, that says something about a product given our fickle and fragile market of today.

I have been wearing the Maine Hunting Shoe (boots and shoes) since the early 1960's. My father and grandfather were wearing them when the Maine Hunting Shoe was a relatively new product! In my (our) experience, having owned some of the knock-offs, the L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoe has been the superior product around our farm and ranches (extremely hard on active footwear), and in the woods. Worn with a heavy-duty wool sock (s), my L.L. Bean boots are almost as light weight and comfortable as my mukluks (highly breathable mukluks are best around frozen ice and snow, not slush, muck and mud). The boot can be adjusted to fit your needs by adding or changing the footbed, and by the type of sock you choose to wear. When venturing in the woods with this style of boot, carry extra socks with you and change them out when your activity level changes (hunting in the wintertime Northwoods will teach you this real quick).
 
I've had a few pair over the years. Not good for long trekking but waterproof.

The main death of all the pairs I have had is on the sides where your foot sort of bends when you climb a hill (and I live in hilly) the rubber part develops cracks there from the stress of bending.

But I'm talking wearing every day and a lot of uphill. Probably for the average use they'd last a LONG time.
 
hollowdweller said:
The main death of all the pairs I have had is on the sides where your foot sort of bends when you climb a hill (and I live in hilly) the rubber part develops cracks there from the stress of bending.
Click to expand...

Bean will replace the rubber bottoms for a nominal fee . . . about $35 as I recall and ship them back to you in less than two weeks. I have two pair now that have had the bottoms replaced in the past couple years.

And each pair has now been in use in the NE Tennessee mountains for about ten years.
 
I had a low pair like the ones pictured above by Mannlicher. I wore them nearly every day for about 6 months. I was working and walking on muddy streets nearly every day as it rained OFTEN near the equator. They worked perfectly. I essentially wore them out with the soles bald in that time period. They were about as comfortable as regular work type boots. I would only buy from LL Bean.
 
I owned a pair for years. Great cold weather boots. When I moved south I gave them to my brother, and he still wears them. :thumbup:
 
I've hunted the Louisiana swamps in the same pair of 10" Beans since Christmas of 1990. My mother bought them for me when I was a senior in high school. I have never had the need or desire to get another hunting boot since. I did have to replace the soles last year (finally wore a hole in the rubber). These are tough boots! They may outlast me. Also great for Mardi Gras, rainy football games, and LSU bars.
 
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