Do you think the maine hunting shoes that are in stores today will last like the vintage ones? Im not sure if the still make them with leather uppers or just waxed canvas. They say they are different than the bean boots which are more for urbanites

They still make the leather uppers. I have a pair that has a thinsulate liner. I use them for stillhunting when it gets cold (under freezing) and/or extremely wet. Great boots.

I was not crazy about the ones my wife ordered. I got the Schnees instead. Cost more but worth it. Very well made.

I wasn't impressed with the in branch store llbean boots and they did not carry the "hunting shoe" so I ordered by phone to Maine. The newer gortex models have the liner sewn in. Much, much easier on and off, although I like having a extra set of liners with me.

Never had the LL Bean boots but LaCrosse used to make a similar boot and wished they still did.They were great for bowhunting.

For 40 bucks they replace the rubber boot. Worked for me

I've hunted with a pair of main shoes the last 3 years and they have seen a good bit of diverse terrain. Time to get the stitching repaired from the upper attachment and hope that LL Bean will do it. I tried lots of different boots, and most of the time I get one season out of them. These are the first set to last over 1 year. Not much tread left on the bottom, but I would not trade the Main Hunting shoe for anything else at this point.

-Bones

I've had several pairs, and though they were comfortable and wore well, they left a lot to desire in the grip category. In VT where weather can go from solid ice to mud in 4 hours I found them to be far from ideal when walking in the mountains. SUper slippery on wet rocks and unstable. Crazy since they were designed in ME. Lacrosse Burley Air grips all the time now, or a good pair of Rocky's with a Vibrahm sole.

Just my personal opinion, but I think there are lots of better boots out there for how we use them.

With some guys, it's all about nostalgia.

I cut my teeth on Bean boots till they cost me a bear then stopped wearing.

I have a pair that has stood up nicely for over fifteen years, but I don't wear them below 30 degrees nor on steep hills. Our leaf litter here is like a ski slope and the cable/chain tread will slide on top of it. Once a year I put some bee's wax on the threads that join the leather top to the rubber bottom. I do like them for those wet, dewy mornings in the early bow season. Not particularly a fan of rubber bottoms anytime since they become stink bombs after wearing an hour or so.

I own Schnee's and they blow away LL Bean

Love my LL boots 20 yrs on them .

I schneesed once and damn near blew off my Bean Boots, so I see where you're coming from there.

good one George :)

Is that what they call a "Schnee Rocket"? ;-)

My experience with the L.L.Bean hunting shoe matches Mr. Stout's experience for longevity but without the stink. What's wrong with your feet, George? For still hunting around the autumn woods, the "Bean" hunting shoe can't be beat. It's like an Indian moccasin with more protection for the foot.

Had Bean boots when I lived in MA during grad school. Did snow patrol and wore the soles out in one winter.

Friend of mine who is a beagler has had three pairs that never lasted over a year. The metal shanks come through the sole in two of his.

They're nice and comfortable, waterproof too, but they are not a real hunting boot in my opinion. Street walkers be more like it.

I bought the Lacrosse ones when I was in my teens. Had a removable liner. Those were very durable boots. After years and years, I wore them out, and Lacrosse quit making them. Bummer.

I went to Lowa Tibet Hi GTX this year. Got a weeks on them and so far they are the best boot choice I've ever made. Geeze, were they costly though. I hike a lot backcountry fly fishing and hunting though, and will get my money out of them.

Also, I've benn to Schnees in Bozeman. Tried their boots on there - PAC style.

Schnees PAC boots are legit.

Nothing wrong with my feet. Long walks with a non-breathing material like rubber causes normal folks feet to sweat, especially in mild weather. Wet creates odor that doesn't dissipate and also promotes cooling when you rest for awhile after walking, especially in cold weather. Everyone is different of course, but my feet don't do that in my leather/nylon boots that don't allow for sweat build-up. So if you don't have any issues, then be happy.

2x on Vtbow. Loved my Bean boots when snowshoeing or deep snow or dry Septembers. Too slick of bottom to hunt any kind of steep hill in muddy or wet conditions. Bought LaCrosse with the airbobs and used for years chasing lions in various winter conditions. Great boot, a little heavy, and of course they don't make them any more. Will be looking at Schnees.

Touche'...age and cunning trumps youth and inexperience every time, you go Jawge!

The pair I ordered off of them didn't look like they would have lasted across the street. I sent them back for a refund along with an email about my disappointment in an American company would let such poorly made pair of boots get out the door and I never even got a reply so I never even tried to order another pair. I figured that pair must have slipped by somehow and would have ordered a replacement pair, but when they never even responded to my email or, at least, apologized I vowed never again.

Never had a pair of Bean boots,but would not take for my Schnees! Terry

A comment from a Maine leather wallet...

One factor to input in LL Bean purchases. They have changed their lifetime replacement guarantee this last month.

Too many fraud returns cost them 100’s of millions of dollars.

They are good boots. LL Bean is a good company, but the return policy is now different.

Three pair. They have a place, wet, steep slopes, sidehills and ice are not their place. Quiet still hunting nin damp river bottoms are great. Ran a trap line with my 15 inch models and they kept me warm and dry. They work in snowshoes. I now live in Nevada and hunt quail and rabbits with the longbow every chance i get with them. Just like a knife-different ones for different tasks

I have had the same Bean boots for over 30 years. Had them resoled several times. Mine are the thinsulate insulated 10 inchers. My uninsulated 6 inchers have been resoled twice.

I have used them from swamps to above timberline and they always held up well. Got my first pair in the late 1960's. I have always used the insulated one's but they don't keep your feet warm in really cold weather.

I have never tried them because I can't image they could stand up to the cacti around here. Look like they would be good for places without pokey stuff on the ground though.

Love the Maine Hunting Shoe. That model is different than "normal" Bean boots. The soles are more flexible and are like moccasins for quiet walking. Not all bean boots are created equal. IMO the Maine Hunting Shoe has no equal in quiet stalking footwear.

I love them, but they're not for every situation. Good for cool, wet weather when a relatively smooth sole will be adequate. In those conditions they're quiet, comfortable, and far more waterproof than modern goretex boots. I recently bought a new pair and they seem just as well made as the pair I bought 35 years ago.

Tracking or still hunting with hard rubber soled boots is an exercise in futility with a bow. Either beanies or thin uninsulated rubber boots are all I wear unless it is too cold. This fall I will be trying mukluks in cold dry snow I carry down boot blankets in my pack that compress into a sack the size of a tennis ball. Put those over beanies while sitting and the feet stay warm.

They have there place the thing is back when Leon Bean made them there was no goretex no water proof boots like we have today . But they have been popular because they do allow one to feel the ground beneath you and kinda sneak around more so that hard soled stiff soled boots . The rubber does make my feet sweat in warm weather they were designed to be worn with heavy socks like Craig said bean says that in there book .my last pair wore out then i just tossed them well the rubber wore out. Plus they did come with steel arches later on which helps with support and comfort

Never have used Main hunting boots. Used to wear Schnees Guide boots (unlined). Not pleasant. And cold to boot. Went to Schnees with a removable liner.........heaven on earth up to about 60 degrees. Like wearing nice moccasins all day. I will never go to anything else.

Schnees vs Beans, beans win quiet every time. Schnees win traction every time. Each has an advantage depending on application

I’ve had my Beane Boots since the 70’s. Had them resolved once. They have never leaked. I would never consider climbing a cliff with them, but they are dead quiet in the woods. They definitely have their place.

My hunting features plenty of side-hill walking, in areas where there are lots of fallen leaves--especially oak leaves, which are slippery even when dry. Without meaning to knock the product at all, I'll just say that Bean's MHS doesn't have enough ankle support--or to say it another way, the boot flexes too much, in all directions--to be right for that style of hunting.

Now, if you creep along in cedar swamps, or hunt from snowshoes, they're just the ticket--which I believe is what they were designed for. But, it's pretty easy to poke a dead stub through them, so watch your step.

They eat my sox

This thread comes up every few months. It reminds me of a debate that circulates in our work office about as often as this topic does here. Its about a pizza shop that makes the "best" pizza in the world, providing you order double sauce, extra cheese and twice bake it.

Pearl Drums, That's sounds like there is alot more to the story then was told here.. :) I just wanted to refresh this thread. I received my Maine Hunting boots back in the mail today. AS GOOD AS NEW. Really nice Customer Service and returned quick.

-Bones

Funny this thread showed up today. Two days ago I received by Bean boots back after requesting re-soled. I was excited when I left the Post Office to say the least. I got home, opened the box, and wow, they re-sewed the same ole worn out rubber bottoms back on that I sent them in with! Even added some new leather in worn areas. New insoles and strings. Just the same ole worn out rubber bottoms. I was just shocked. I had even put a letter in the box detailing what I needed as required. Nevertheless, I called them and explained and they were as surprised as I was and most apologetic. Told me to return them after turkey season and they would cover all shipping and fix them up. I've been wearing Bean boots for as long as I can remember as well as my father too. I just love them, like wearing house shoes in the woods. Just an odd event for sure. Great product though and company.

I have the hunting shoe and the bean boot and schnees. Between the bean shoes I prefer the hunting shoe. Theyre great for a lot of things but steep terrain isnt one of them. They are passable for some hills but excell in wet relatively flat terrain or for stalking/still hunting. The schnees hunter2 i have are my cold weather go to boots. They are excellent in pretty much any conditions and are pretty quiet, not bean hunting shoe quiet but ok. They are surprisingly good for steep terrain and the traction you get is amazing. I have a buddy that did a snow bound mt goat hunt in a pair. Schnees makes a bean style boot as well but the thread type is going to have same limitations as the bean boot (same thread)

Have a pair that just sit on the shelf in garage. Rub my ankles and just not comfortable for me. I've tried to like them but my feet just won't have it.

I’ve had several pair and had very good service from them....warm...dry...comfortable......do not like the chain tread design for hilly terrain it is just too slippery for me

Does anyone know if you get the uppers re-soled can you switch from the Bean Boot sole to the softer Maine Hunting Shoe sole? I know the sizes of each style supposedly run different is the reason I'm asking. I'm sure their Customer Service could tell me.

Richard, I would have to suggest just calling Bean on a deal like that. Very good possibility I think. Curtis, Not that your situation is funny, BUT I had sent mine in to get re-stitched as they were coming apart almost all the way around, and ended up with a new set of lowers, laces and insoles.I think they mixed our orders... Bean called and said there had been an issue when restitching the boot, and had torn the lower. They replaced both lowers on them. I have had the boots since 2015 and was VERY shocked to hear they were going to give me basically a new boot. Same leather uppers, but I keep them conditioned and it's still in good shape. Most of the terrain I hunt is not extreme steep, but lots of loose rocks and ledges. I like that the boot allows me to really feel the ground.

-Bones

I like em. Nothing says I'm a yuppie at a dinner party any better than bean boots.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here