Because of a bunion on both feet I need a shoe that comes in a wide width. These boots fit the bill! I am very happy with them even though they do need breaking in.
Broke these boots in in the city and on a day hike, then they carried me on a very rainy and muddy six-day hike in Tasmania. I had to special-order the narrows from Bean (after great frustration trying on every normal-width boot I could find in person at other stores) and just crossed my fingers that they'd fit. Luckily they did. Be sure to give yourself time to get used to how heavy they are, at least if you have big feet like me. They squeaked when I got them but once you wear them that goes away. My feet stayed warm and dry for a couple days longer than other hikers' (we all had on gaiters and overpants). After days of never completely getting dry overnight, these boots did become saturated, and first the tops of my toes and then on day 6 almost my whole foot became damp, causing a couple blisters. Now the leather on the toes is in kinda bad shape and I need to fix them up somehow. Overall, great boots, especially given the conditions I took them through. If you can make them even tougher, Bean, then please do!
ProsDurable, Great Value, Comfortable, Performing as Expected, worth the investment
This is the first pair of hiking boots I have had from LLBean and it didn't take me long to realized what I was missing. I read a lot of reviews on how this boot ran small so I ordered a size larger thinking it would be better with thick socks. I was wrong. Had to send them back, which LLBean was awesome with the return. There was a reasonable $5.00 return/shipping charge deducted from the refund that was put back on my credit card within a day or two of them receiving the boots. The second pair arrived within three weeks after I shipped the first pair back and my credit card was recharged as a new purchase. I was kept up to date with emails from LLBean so I could track the progress the entire time. When I first put the boot on they were a little stiff so I didn't lace them up real tight. Within a week of wearing them daily for my hourly morning walk through the woods, I gradually started to lace them up a little tighter each day. I have had them for over a week now and they feel great on my foot. No blisters, hot spots, or any type of soreness. I have been wearing them with thick socks and once with thinner socks for comparison. The terrain I walk on is very rocky and I cross over several streams where before my feet would always get wet. My feet now stay dry and there is a huge difference in these boots with the ankle support on the rocks. I once twisted my ankle with my previous boots, which were military issue and not LLBean. I will probably stick with LLBean from here on out. Definitely worth the extra $$$. I have bought cheaper costing (but still good boots) before and the leather Gore-Tex Cresta Hikers blow the others out of the water right out of the gate...or should I say box
Wish there was a 10 1/2. Really quite narrow for a narrow, but too tight with heavier socks; otherwise a classy, well-constructed, and, it would seem, a great- looking and durable shoe. Needs more toe room and the pair I returned squeaked. Hope the exchange---medium---works perfectly. Anticipating the best!
