I have a short but wide foot, and these boots fit great in half a size up. That means I have more toe room, but that's good for thick socks. The ankle has ample room, maybe to a fault if you don't like your boots bunching out a little (you can kind of see this in the picture), but it makes lots of room for socks and tucking in pants. The boots are well made, great traction and pretty warm.
I bought these boots one year ago to wear to the barn everyday. They're wonderful. There is nothing out there that can keep my feet totally warm, but with a hot foot insert, and heavy wool socks, these boots work well. I found after wearing the boots a couple of times, they were broken in and comfortable beyond words. I hate to take them off! They are indeed very waterproof and true to size. I take a size 7 and bought a size seven. I love that they're made in the USA. Thank you LL Bean for another great boot.
It is because I love and respect LLBean so much that I write this review. Especially being from Maine and wanting to preserve the made-in-Maine nature of the boots, I have to give some feedback on them.
I have to return them. Here's the deal. They are warm to walk in, but the shearling in the footbed, originally cushy, tamped down after a walk or two. The result is that my feet no longer stayed warm in the cold weather. Second, the spot where the rubber meets the leather is exactly under my ankle bone, and I consistently get a blister regardless as to the thickness of my socks or whether the pants are tucked in.
I'd recommend that the lining of the boot be something more built-in and cushy than merely shearling. It wears down so quickly, and there went the support and warmth in just a few days of normal wear.
I love the exterior of the boot, and it REALLY is waterproof. The rest of the boot is warm. Maybe it just didn't work for me.
The first pair of boots were defective but LL Bean promptly sent a new pair and they are great! The shearling lining is soft and warm and the height is perfect (I am 5'3). My only complaint is that I wish the calf circumference was a little smaller - the calves are still rather big even with pants tucked in.
