I love, love, love these hiking boots. They are so comfortable right from the start! I wear them at work where I am basically on my feet a lot. I have gone on a short hike through water--no leaks and my feet stayed nice and warm. I did have trouble getting the right size but LL Bean has the best customer service available--I returned the first pair and received the next pair without any problems. I ordered the "true to size" based on advice from customer service--but the boots were too small and cramped my foot. I did order the narrow because I have a narrow foot--but I had to go to the medium and add a half inch to the size so that I could carry a pack and wear thicker socks plus have plenty of room. These are the best boots ever and I bought my husband a pair also--he loves them too!
I've been looking for a durable all around weather boot and boy have I found it in these boots. I ordered my normal boot size in 8. Comfort right out of the box. I even kicked the comfort up a notch, I added the womens shearling insoles (getcha some they're awesome) and wear these with the LLBean hiking boot socks. I've worn the boots in over a foot of snow doing plowing, shoveling and playing outdoors with our labs and not once have these boots disappointed me. Not sure if these have steel toe because I can't make an indentation to verify where my toes are. The only minor item I've found it the second loop doesn't stay when tied, (it maybe due to my high instep) I bypass that loop and use top loop & double tie them. I haven't tried the other laces they came with, I'm saving them for spring/summer landscaping. Like I said this is only minor and will not deter me from ordering these again in the future. Hey LLBean, PLEASE DON'T CHANGE A THING ABOUT THESE BOOTS OR DISCONTINUE THEM-they're perfect
I finally had to put my Ecco boots to rest after 7 yrs & they don't make a gore-tex leather hiking boot. So I turned to LL Bean. Because of the comments on size, I called one of their Reps( always helpful & friendly) & he researched around & suggested I stay with my true size, 9 Wide.The boot fits perfectly but I wear more of a boot sock liner due to how warm gore-tex. The boot is very comfortable right out of the box & gives the ankle support I need. My only complaint is they are a little heavy for a wimpy girl like me. I'ld definetly buy them again.
I loved the fit of these boots right out of the box so much so I immediately bought another pair.(They were on sale). In the summer I was going on 10-15 mile hikes on a regular basis.The fatal flaw of these boots are the top three rows of tabs. They are cheap and will bend. One pair has the bottom row smashed so I can't hardly get them on and off. Plus I never realized how handy the little loop on the back can be to pull shoes on and off. I have walked five miles with a rock in my shoe so I didn't have to deal with taking them off. The top tabs have a tendancy push out. I hike with shorts and I have given myself some nasty gashes from the opposite boot. The tabs are sharp. This has made me hate these boots. This is the most comfortable hiking boot I have ever worn but I will never buy another pair because they have such a poor design on the tabs. I have other cheaper llbean boots that have a much better tab design.
