L.L.Bean Bean Boots, 8" Tumbled Leather

THE new classic for mucky weather. Tall enough to keep snow out. The high quality leather on these is nice and soft.

THE new classic for mucky weather.

Used to have a pair of the Rubber Mocs and wore them all the time in Alaska. Was excited to get new boots as the Intermountain West has lots of snowy, mushy changeable weather. I first ordered the 6" boots, but they chafed my ankle. LL Bean’s superlative customer support exchanged them for the upgrade model. 

The high quality leather on these is nice and soft. Worth the extra money. 

I really enjoy the collar and the pull-up loop.

The laces are stout vintage things that will probably outlive you, and the next generation. I’ve worn them all day in deep snow, mushy slush, and rain days. Even used them on snowshoes. They can be slippy on ice. They repel the damp, certainly with the rubber lowers, and it seems the leather uppers don’t absorb water. If there was a problem with the stitching, I would have applied some waterproof something, but so far its okay.

Bean sells this for $19.95> “Protect your L.L.Bean Boots and other leather footwear products with our Boot Dressing, a mixture of beeswax, lanolin and oils that waterproof, preserve and restore leather.”*

These are great schlepping around camp. The boots are not good for trail hiking as they are by design roomy and flexible. I recommend finding the right insole with support and wearing thick socks so they are more walking friendly and warmer.

Overall real comfy in the muck. Worth the money for the supple leather and Made in Maine. I smile each time I put them on.

* I know a guy that used this on Scarpa Kailish. Works for him, I guess.

Background

Decades (won't say how many) of snow life in the West and Alaska. Lots of camping, including snow (see Snow Cave Review).