Which would you pick ?
These will be for winter hunting , zero temps ... extreme frosts , up to 12" of snow , rocks, mountains and wet slushy winter rain forest ...
any opinions welcome .....
Ben, they changed the Bean boots a few years ago. Schnee Hunters all the way. Tney have worked for me in every condition you describe. One other option; I have not tried Kennetrex yet, but Jim Winjum who used to own Schnees runs Kennetrex now. They look to be a little more "agressive".
Ben, I own them both..like them both. The Beannies for spring/fall and the Schnee's for the conditions you listed is how I use them.
Thanks Steve .. I have llokled at the Kennetrex based on another fella's advice ...they are pricey but get great reviews
I'll look for a good deal on some Schnee's then
Thanks Nate ...
I too have both shoes. The LL Beans were bought in the late 80's when they carried them with 'Bean Bob' soles - I particularly like these soles for hunting in steep terrain/side sloping (I think their cable tread would be an ankle twister here in Colorado). I like the Beans a lot for fall and spring wear with moist, muddy conditions and little snow or cold - I don't think you would want to wear them in a tree stand/non-mobile hunting situation when the temps were below 30d. I bought the Schnee's because the Beans wouldn't keep me warm when hunting late season (below 30d, heavy-deep snow). Each boot has its place and I like them both for the right condition I described...but for the conditions you described there is no doubt in my mind that you'll be happier with the Schnee's. I've heard lots of good things about the Kennetrek's but it would come down to $$ for me and I have been very happy with the Schnee's.
Schnees, and I like the mid calf length as they feel more like part of your leg and not klunky. I have their warmest ones.
I was a Bean lover forever.....but they changed (like Steve said) . I don't even consider them now. Schnees all the way. I have had a pair for 5 years, and I wear the heck out of them, including chasing rabbits through the briars. Top notch quality.
The only way I would choose the LL Bean boot would be if Schnee's stopped building boots......
Another vote for Schnees. I have them for the conditions you describe and colder. Sometimes my feet even feel too hot in them! Excellent quality throughout.
I have always had Schnee's, but if you look they just jumped all their prices $30-$40. The 10 inchers are now $239.
I had seen a pair of Hoffman's and checked them out, made in Idaho, cut their teeth making smoke jumper boots. I tried them and I have to say I like them, plus the 14 inchers were $175 or $185.
D.P.
Schnees for me as well. I have a pair of old bean boots that I haven't wore since I've gotten my schnees. Which is ten years ago, some of the best money I've spent.
Schnees hands down, the rubber is heavier and the leather is thicker then the bean boots I have had. I put a pair of insoles in the hunter's I have now and they are the best hunting boots I own.
For stalking and no traction issues I do love Bean boots too, but for insulated and light boots with a bob sole, schnees all the way. I wear both all the time.
Get BOTH. :)
They really are two different boots. I've got the LLbean 16" hunting shoe as they are actually called and also the 16" Shnees with the insulation. I had first bought a pair of the Schnees 16" uninsulated but found the rubber and leather too stiff or a combo of that and found them uncomfortable on my ankles. I sent them back and got the insulated ones.
Insulated schnees are a great colder weather and or deep snow boot with great fit,comfort,durability, and traction.
LL bean is a really comfortable spring, summer, early fall boot type of boot. the leather is still thick yet plyable so it fells good but should still hold up really well. the rubber boot portion is softer for greater feel for stalking type of conditons. Traction is better than the large chain link tread style like on the lacrosse burly rubber knee boots but yeah it won't be as good as the schnees air bob type of bottoms.
So yeah two different boots. But to answer your question, get the tall insulated schnees.
Schnees I have three pair and love them.
I got a pair of Hoffmans and I like them.
Schnees here too, especially if you're going from snow to rocks to mud back to snow on steep terrain.
Schnees for me.
schnee's
I have the tall uninsulated Scnees. Like said above the inside is rough on the ankles. I also have the bob soles and get a terribly loud squeaking when walking through wet grass. Anyone else have this problem?
I have both the Schnee and the L.L. Bean boots, and the Schnee boots feel FAR more comfortable to me and are much better for stability and walking. I love Kennetrek boots and could never give up my two pairs of Hardscrabble Light boots, but the rubber bottom portions of the pac boots are made overseas while the rubber bottoms on my Schnee boots were made in the USA and are clearly of superior quality. I don't know if the new Schnee boots are made with the same bottoms. Either way, I would still buy the Schnee boots, with Kennetrek being a close second.
I hate to disagree with Steve O., because he is almost always right and is a heck of a good fellow, but Jim did not own Schnee, he was their chief boot designer. Jim does own Kennetrek, and he definitely knows his stuff and designs great boots that are built by master craftsmen in Italy, with some work done in other countries.
Allan
I am gonna be different and say Kenetrek
http://www.kenetrek.com/
Ben, get the one shoe that does it all: Crocs. For winter, just add a pair of socks.
Without a doubt...Schnee.
Watch out!!! I'm a HUGE Schnee's fan and was once even in their catalog, but they have two kinds of Schnees. The Standard which are more expensive and the Sportster ( I think thats what its called). They look identical, but the cheaper ones are not made in Montana, they are imported from overseas.,I called and asked what the difference between the two were and thats what I was told.
I'll pay a few more bucks and get the Montana made!
I think you have to own a Mercedes if you get the LL Bean boots...LOL
Don't know about the newer Bean boots but I've had a pair of insulated Maine hunting boots for close to ten years and they're still going strong. No complaints as long as it's not too much below freezing. I've wore them on alot of hunts and a bunch of winter crappie fishing trips. Sad that they've went downhill, guess I'll have to check out the Schnee's when they finally do wear out.
IF you plan on walking in them a lot Schnees. I love mine. I had a pair of Bean's that I never enjoyed walking in. My schnees I put a ton of miles on this year. I was amazed at the comfort of those boots.
Just my opinion for what it's worth. I asked the same question here back in Sept...
QuoteOriginally posted by amar911:
I hate to disagree with Steve O., because he is almost always right and is a heck of a good fellow, but Jim did not own Schnee, he was their chief boot designer. Jim does own Kennetrek, and he definitely knows his stuff and designs great boots that are built by master craftsmen in Italy, with some work done in other countries.
Allan
Hey Allen, we don't disagree, I was just assuming...I called Schnee's 10 years ago to thank them for making the boots that saved my Stone sheep hunt after my Russel's failed. The gal connected me to Jim and I just assumed he was the head honcho.
I have been using Schnee's for 18 years.I have a pair of uninsulated and a pair with removable liners for winter.They have been good boots with great traction.You see most of the game wardens,biologists and ranchers wearing them here,during Fall and Winter.
Somehow I made a double post!
The ll bean boots look a lot like a pair of sorrel boots that I own.
The have a fur/wool lining and are rated to -40.
For when it's not that cold I have a pair of hunter rain boots. Super cumfy and the fleece lining you can buy for them adds extra warmth when you need it.
Also, be assured that Schnee customer service is "second to none".
Beans were great 25 years ago. Stuff changed. Yuppies happened.....
I've been an LL Bean boot fan for a long time, and have actually tried Schnee uninsulated boots twice, and ended up sending them both back, simply because they weren't wide enough. The insulated Schnee is a great shoe and I wear it exclusively in cold weather. As someone else said, they each have their place. In my case, Bean's for slipping around and warmer weather, and Schnee's when the temperature drops...but the Schnee's are very comfortable and quiet for an insulated boots (which is what prompted me to try the uninsulated ones.) gfa
I think Bean gets a bad and misplaced rap with all this yuppie stuff.
If you buy from the hunting catalog you will find the same, age old quality Maine Guide Hunting Boot. They have not changed.
The bean boot is different and yes it has changed over the years. I love the Maine Guide Hunting Boot and will always own a pair.
For really cold weather I wear a pair of Kamiks from Canada.
Bean's customer service is second to none.(nut) :bigsmyl:
Another vote for get both...my early season are Beans Duck Canvas Uppers with Rubber bottoms and my late season are my Schnees Leaher uppers and Rubber bottoms.
I own both as well. I love the insulated Schnee's, but hate the uninsulated Bean and Schnee's. They form a crease at the achilles area and rub a nasty blister.
Anyone else have this problem?
What changed on the Bean boots? I have 2 pair of them, 1 is about 25 years old, the other is about 1.5 years old. The older ones are uninsulated, while the newer ones are. Both are the Maine hunting boot. Can't see much difference in either, the leather in the older ones might be a tad bit thicker, but not by much.
Is there a diffrence in the shnees verses Kentrek?i was planing on buying the kentrek Rancher because I thought it looked a little less bulky in the rubberbottoms.I also have the llbean main hunting shoe for cool weather whitch are excellent for cool damp weather.
The LL Bean "Maine Hunting Shoe" is the same boot they made 30 years ago. If you make a mistake and get the "Bean Boot" from LL Bean you are buying a newer, cheaper version that looks like the old "Maine Hunting Shoe" but has some cost saving construction features that make them OK for yuppies dashing to the store on Saturdays, but not for hard hunting. The "Maine Hunting Shoe" is still the tough boot it always was. It can be repaired and refurbished by the LL Bean shop, and it has the great LL Bean lifetime guarantee.
I have a pair of the "Maine Hunting Shoes" in the 12" height from the mid 1970s and a pair I bought last year. Side by side, and except for the holes I wore in the old ones, they are the same in materials, quality and construction.
You can still get the "Maine Hunting Shoe" in all of the original heights including the 16" high ones. I don't know why Mr. Bean chose to call his boots shoes.
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
QuoteOriginally posted by amar911:
I hate to disagree with Steve O., because he is almost always right and is a heck of a good fellow, but Jim did not own Schnee, he was their chief boot designer. Jim does own Kennetrek, and he definitely knows his stuff and designs great boots that are built by master craftsmen in Italy, with some work done in other countries.
Allan
Hey Allen, we don't disagree, I was just assuming...I called Schnee's 10 years ago to thank them for making the boots that saved my Stone sheep hunt after my Russel's failed. The gal connected me to Jim and I just assumed he was the head honcho. [/b]
Steve,
When it came to the boots, Jim was the head honcho for quite awhile at Schnee's -- he just wasn't the owner -- so you got it mostly right. ;) Heck, if I didn't know Jim from many SCI conventions, I could have thought the same thing. One thing I like about Jim is that he never says anything bad about his former employer or any other competitor. He just tries to build the best boot possible -- even though at times I may like one of his competitor's boot styles better than Jim's. Kennetrek is a great company, and I own multiple pairs of the boots they design and market, which I think are the best of their type for me in those models of boots. But in the pac style boots, I prefer the Schnee boots.
Allan