LL Bean 8" Gore-Tex/Thinsulate Review

Ever since Leon Leonwood Bean started making Bean Boots in 1911, they've been popular. You've probably seen a pair on someone's feet, especially if you're from the Northeast. And while they've become a highly sought-after boot over the last decade, there's a good reason. Regardless of whether you like their looks, they last forever, they're warm, waterproof, and will fit just about anyone (as long as you wear thick socks). While they don't have the same heavily-lugged outsole as some of the competition, they make up for it with their handmade construction and solid weatherproofing. As a result, they're stylish and casual enough for kicking around town while also being fully legitimate workboots.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

While you can waterproof the unlined LL Bean boot with waxes, we went with the Gore-Tex/Thinsulate lined version to test one of the more protective variants.

When we got them, we were impressed — the lining goes all the way up to the top of the boot, so we got a full 8" of waterproofing. Other low boots we've tested over the years have been docked points for their low gussets, so we were happy to see the extra lining here.

We also weren't sure how waterproof the lining would be, but after 30+ minutes of wading around in Western Montana rivers and creeks in spring flood, we can say they're pretty dang waterproof. And while we haven't done this yet, we're planning on sealing the outer leather, which will keep things even more watertight.

Comfort

We sized the LL Bean up a bit, and with thick socks, they were super comfortable. The laces let us dial in our fit, but because we're lazy, we tied "Eastland Knots." This turned them into slip-ons, allowing us to tighten or loosen them easily without tying our shoes. We also really appreciated the Gore-Tex/Thinsulate, which is lined with microfiber and helps keep things cozy on chilly mornings.

One thing to mention is that the uppers are made of thick leather, so they may be a bit stiff to start with. Just keep wearing them — they'll break into your foot soon enough and become much more comfortable.

We weren't super impressed by the insoles on this boot. We pulled them out, and they were remarkably floppy in our hands, especially in the forefront. This doesn't seem to be a new issue, and some reviews we found recommend getting LL Bean's shearling insoles to help add some heft and warmth. As is, these weren't the worst insoles in the test, but they also weren't the most supportive.

Traction

This metric is where the LL Bean didn't wow us. While they performed better than some of the more casual low-topped boots, we felt that their "cable-pattern" outsole wasn't deep enough to grab onto loose or slick material. Other boots feature deeply-incised lugs, while these tend to slip a bit more. They are perfectly adequate on most surfaces but get a bit squirrelly on wet wood and mossy rocks.

For what it's worth, LL Bean Boots are resole-able, so if the cable pattern wears away over time, you can send them back to Maine to get spruced back up.

Warmth

We were impressed by how warm these boots are. The version with Gore-Tex/Thinsulate lining kept our feet surprisingly toasty in the cold Montana winter, and we barely noticed even when we'd been out in the snow for a few hours. The lining has microfiber on the inside, so they are warm almost as soon as you slip them on in the mornings.

Thanks to the lining, these boots did well in our ice-filled bathtub test, and we barely noticed a chill, even after 10+ minutes.

Style

We realize the LL Bean Boots might be polarizing. Not everyone grew up in the Northeast, where duck boots are a completely normal style. But duck boots have become positively stylish in the last decade, so we're confident that if you like the look, you can get away with it — though the further you are from Maine, the more comments you might get. In the same way that XTRATUFs mean Alaska, Bean Boots signify Maine and New England.

We especially like the leather uppers, which, after time and use, will become more and more weathered and broken-in.

Fit

There are a lot of forum posts and reviews about how Bean Boots fit, and there's a lot of advice out there. Here's our take: they're meant to be worn with thick socks. Most folks recommend buying your size, which will have a bit of room for thicker socks. We really like having some extra toe-room, so we sized up a size, and they still fit fine. If we really want to get them snug, we just tighten down the laces.

Getting down to specifics, our Brannock measurement is a US size 12. We bought a size 13 for these, and they fit just fine. Our feet are a D width, and these were perfect. For narrow or wide-footed folks, these also come in a narrow width (B) and a wide width (EE), so you should be able to find something that fits perfectly.

Value

We know the Bean Boots are on the more expensive side of our test, and we're not arguing they're a budget buy. But no other boot in our test has the same number of testimonials guaranteeing their durability. Countless reviews discuss how these boots have lasted decades (with a few factory resoles). No other boots in the test have that kind of proven longevity, so sure, these are a bit pricy to start with, but they're pretty much certain to last. In our opinion, that makes them a pretty great value, especially when it comes to their impressive performance in our other tests.

Conclusion