Hoping some of you guys that have used them could give me your opinions on L.L. Bean hunting boots.
Thank you
I wear mine (10"uninsulated) early season quite a bit. They are lightweight, comfortable and provide great "feel" for what's underfoot. I also wear them when moderately cold with Artic Shield boot covers while on stand. They are not the best choice for wet or snowy conditions in hilly terrain due to lack of traction. That said, I will always have pair of them around.
There are two versions:
1. The "main Hunting Shoe" which is the old, reliable, last-for-years, steel-shanked LL Bean Boot with the rubber bottom and water-proof leather tops. These are outstanding.
2. The "Bean Boot" which is a lesser model for less money. These do not have waterproofed leather or a steel sh
Get the Main Hunting Shoe.
I have had worn them in the 12" height for more than 40 years. They are great boots. In my opinion they are the best boots available for hunting deer on the ground. You can feel the ground a bit and that helps in still hunting.
I buy mine a touch large so I have a little room in them. Tight boots get really cold once the temperatures start to drop. Plus, I like heavy socks in my boots.
And LL Bean's guarantee is so good.
What smokin joe said!
But I got the 16" tall ones.
FYI,
You can order them with speed laces, hooks instead of eyelet holes.
Bob
My go to hunting boot is the LL Bean Maine hunting boot. I now have a tall pair, pain to lace but great for crossing creeks.
They told me go down in size. So I wear a 10 1/2 shoe, and 10 Maine hunting shoe. I can still fit 2 pr of wool socks and I love them. I suggest you go higher than 10". They are less sloppy and better IMO for climbing too. I second the arctic shields and traction.
Thanks guys, The Maine hunting shoe are the ones I was really interested in and im glad to here you can order them with the speed laces cause if im able to get a pair I will probably go with the 16"
If you go for them, I think you'll like the Maine Hunting Shoes. As said, they are a little more money but they are well worth the cost.
bought a pair of 16" this year and found them to grip wet leaves and soil as good or better than my danners---also I followed they're fit instructions and was very satisfied [2pr wool socks]a real bargain--customer service second to none--made in maine
Great boot. About the only boot I wear until it gets down below 30 degrees. They are a little slippery sometimes but not enough to worry about.
I have an insulated pair that have over 20 years on them and the soles are really slick now. They are a great product.
I wear the Maine Hunting Shoes when it's too wet for my moccasins. Come snow and cold weather, I don't wear the MHS because my feet get too cold in them.
Tom
I wore a pair of the Main Hunting Shoes for about 15 years....they were awesome. I did, however, replace them with the Schnees version of the same boot. A little more money, but 10X the quality. I have worn them HARD for 4 seasons, they look new.
I have a pair that have logged thousands of hours in woods and on the water winter crappie fishing for the last 12 years. I can't imagine having a better all around boot for the climate I live in.
I have had the Maine Hunting shoe for years and like them. I limit them to moderate temperatures, because my feet get cold easily in them when temperatures drop.
They are tools and have their limitations. I don't wear them for everything, but I have a pair and I wear them a lot. They are a good, well made boots.
I think you will enjoy them.
ChuckC
I wear mine all season in Ohio. I use boot blankets when it's really cold. I have no problem with traction and I hunt Southern Ohio which is really hilly. All around my favorite hunting boot.
16" Maine hunting shoe is really good! The factory laces are too short but this is easily fixed. Do not like speed laces because brush will make them "jump out" of the speed laces. They can't be beat for spring turkey either. Some say the traction sucks but for me if I experience this problem I am moving too fast!
I, too, wear the 16" hunting shoe. They have served me well for 20yrs. From grouse hunting to loading my canoe for wilderness fly fishing for smallmouth to my early season bow hunting. They are legendary for a very good reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I believe you all have convinced me to order a pair. Thank you all for your input
Jason
I bought a pair of main guide boots this fall for bow season. I ware a 10 1/2 usually and I ordered a 9. uninsulated and I love them. probably couldn't get a real thick shock in them, but I wasn't planning that going in. ware like boots ive had for 5 years, no break in required. I think you will like them.
Have three sizes. The shoe model is my work around the house. The 10" is my fall and flat land hunting. Trap in 16 in pair. My 10 model is 30 years old and due to have the rubber replaced as they are slick!
They are not mountain boots, especially in snow, but great for river bottom hunting.
I owned a pair for a while but to be honest I wear the Schnees 16" Guide Boot now. IMO the leather is a lot better and the stitching is better on Schnees. Same design and everything.
Have three sizes. The shoe model is my work around the house. The 10" is my fall and flat land hunting. Trap in 16 in pair. My 10 model is 30 years old and due to have the rubber replaced as they are slick!
They are not mountain boots, especially in snow, but great for river bottom hunting.
How are they in places that have tend to be rocky? Not screed slope rocky like the mountains but where I hunt out here in NE Ks there are some rocky spots here and there.
I've hunted in them most of my life. They are great in woods, not great in desert. Their biggest asset is that they are waterproof almost up to the top of the leather. The soles tend to be a little slippery, but you can feel branches and such pretty easily. When I was a kid, I had a pair with vibram soles. I don't know if they still offer them that way, but I liked them (although they would track mud into the house). They are not good for extremely cold weather and the ones with heavy felt liners just make my feet sweat. THEORETICALLY, they are good for scent control because of their rubber bottoms, yet they still breathe a bit better and are more comfortable than Lacrosse rubber boots.
As their name indicates, they were designed for hunting in Maine, which is rocky, hilly woods with swamps. They are great for all that. Plus, I'm pretty sure they are one of the few LL Bean products that are still made in the USA. - John
they are made in US unlike most of the other stuff at bean now,,,, don't forget to check out LLbeans outlet store website where super deals can be found,,, we have one local here and you never know what you'll find in there not just their hunting boots but camping, canoeing, fly rodding, I have 2 pairs of hunting boots I got for 60 each brand new,, Nice made in USA wool sweaters too.
I've been wearing LL Bean Maine Hunting boots(uninsulated)for over 35 years. I like the 14" high variety with speed lace hooks. I need to send my latest pair(about 6 or 8 years old) back for resoling. If I'm hunting in cold weather(20deg is cold for us) I wear a pair of smart wool socks with them.
Have three pair and one I had resoled after 20 years of use. Bought a pair of 16" with speed laces and used them for 7 days on a mule deer hunt in Wyoming and they fit the bill. Also were handy against snakes. Speed laces were the way to go.
Sending mine back for second re-sole after 30 yearsm. As stated get about 1/2 size big to allow for thick socks. :thumbsup: :archer2:
ive worn the bean boot and maine hunting shoe for alot of years, but as a couple others have said, the schnees are a way better quality and heavier leather plus have a rebuild service for pretty cheap....
Been about 8 years and I need my first re-sole. Sending them back after the holiday rush...$39.
I have tried others before but nothing is quieter in the woods than the Bean hunting shoe IMO!
Just found this thread. I bought a pair this year . LL Bean Maine Hunting Boots 10 inchers. Uninsulated without the liner.I wanted them for early season because I was getting tired of trying to get off my LaCrosse Grange. When I ordered them the person told me to get the size 8 I wear a 9 shoe. They fit and I have plenty of room for heavy socks. For Winter Bow I wear my LaCrosse 1200's.Plus they're made in Maine U.S.A.!!!