Among all the technical winter boots for hiking and mountaineering that I wore, I became a big fan of LLBean’s Bean Boot. They have been a good boot for the city to wade through New York’s muddy snowdrifts and street gutter ponds, and are also great for yard work or makeshift day hikes. In other words, they are a great versatile boot – and are a little lost now.
LLBean sells some versions of its Bean Boots. These are a limited edition and are the hottest available, with fluffy PrimaLoft synthetic insulation and a waterproof Gore-Tex lining – 5 inches taller and slightly heavier than standard unlined and insulated boots (views on here).
They are also called duck boots, indicating that they have rubber and leather recesses from the ankle up. Duck boots are less stuffy than rubber varieties and also fit better, because they have laces that you can tighten. I also didn’t find LLBean’s boots particularly slippery on the ice; at least, no more than other boots without crampons.
LLBean still makes Bean Boots by hand in Maine, as it has been doing since 1911, and you can send them back for repairs or soler when they are worn out.
If you get a pair, be sure to evaluate according to the LLBean sizing information. (Click to open it on the ordering page.) In my experience, it helps to choose a larger size, because you will probably wear thick socks inside them.
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Some extras
I recommend a Tube of Gear Aid Seam Sealer from REI or Amazon to pass around the seam between the rubber undersides and the leather upper. Duck boots have no leaks when it comes to winter boots, but it is always worth making them absolutely, completely waterproof when you bring a new pair home. It is not something specific to LLBean or a brand against its quality. Even in state-of-the-art technical boots, tents and backpacks, it always helps to go over the seams with a sewing sealer when new.
If you don’t have great socks, buy one or two pairs of thick Darn Tough merino wool socks from REI, Backcountry or Amazon. They have a lifetime warranty and last a long time. They have been my favorite brand of wool socks for the past seven years. We also have a complete collection of incredible high-tech socks.
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