Honestly, I was very disappointed in this product. It’s just not the product I thought it would be. I expected an ‘all-fur’ lined boot; instead the fur just goes down to an ankle. If you are buying these boots for a fairly cold / freezing and snowy weather, you’ll freeze in these ones. I would. Also, I ordered an American size 8; what came was size 8, which looked and felt like 10.
I've had these boots for three years. They are great - warm and waterproof. My only complaint is that the shoe laces frayed in the first year. I tried calling LL Bean to get replacements but was informed that they do not have replacement shoe strings. I searched for similar shoe strings and got as close as I could get to the originals. I have some on the boot presently which are just not as good as the ones that came with the boots.
My husband got me Sorel Caribous for Christmas and I was so unhappy that despite their real comfortableness they are clumsy and look unfeminine; I got these Bean boots now and have to admit that they are the real fancy 'duck boots' to wear for women. Reading BornMaineiac's review of 12/11/08, I was afraid that the feet could be cold ("The foot part is like a regular Bean boot") while the ankle was warm, and that would be the least I'd like to happen. But actually the foot part is entirely lined - though not with shearling but - with some stepped fleece-like material and IS cozy and warm. Regarding the size, I followed the previous reviewers' advice and ordered down (wearing regularly an 8 1/2 - 9, I ordered an 8 medium), and they fit perfectly with nylon (I mostly wear skirts) and light- to middle-weight socks. I might even have ordered narrow (I have normal feet width) and emphasize the petite look, because they - as apparently all bean boots do - run large.
I ordered these boots because I liked the look of them, but didn't think they would have the functionality of normal winter boots. I was wrong. They are very warm and amazingly comfortable. I mean so comfortable I never want to wear any other shoes. Seriously. These boots also look even better in person. The teenager nextdoor is green with envy so I guess this style is in this year. On the practical side they actually have great arch support, more than even my tennis shoes. I can walk a long way in them and still be comfortable. I haven't tried them folded down like some people wear boots so I don't know how well they work for that. They feel true to size to me with normal socks. I wouldn't order a size down unless this is something that you have to do often. I have somewhat narrow feet and these boots fit them well even though I got the medium size. My friend has medium width feet and she wears these in the same size too and loves them so I think you should pick your width by what kind of socks you plan to wear. They haven't leaked yet as I've hiked rain, snow and puddles. They have kept my feet warm on days down to 5 degrees but haven't tested them in colder weather yet. They have normal tread on ice, and like most boots I have to put ice treads on them to walk when we have days like yesterday when everything freezes into sheets of ice. They are a little tough to lace up but thats only because they are so thick and sturdy. My friends pair cut a bit into her ankle when she wears them but mine don't bother me. We both wear them all the time. My only dislike is they say Bean Boots on the back heel a little larger than I'd like. I hate have labels on any of my clothes but for these boots I'll deal. I think the boots will last a long time and I hope they do because I really love them. Also as a random note, if you have dogs you might want to lock these away. My dog who has never previously cared about shoes or even chewing is more interested than I'd like in these boots. Its the shearling, shes very attracted to it.
