Just got my second pair of the Red Coral Wellies, having had to return the first as it was much too big. Although Bean tends to suggest 1/2 sizes ordering up, I can't think of any time when I haven't wished I'd ordered down in the first place. However, due to the easy exchange process, I now have a lovely pair of well-fitting boots, and will no doubt live happily ever after with them!
I purchased the chocolate brown wellies with springer spaniels on them from LLBean last fall, 2008, and have since worn them to soccer events, hiked around an extremely cold wet camp, hiked up to the ski lodge and countless other places. I love them...they are comfortable to wear all day and with the wellie warmers your feet stay warm. One of my all time favorite purchases! I would buy them again--well worth it!
I generally wear a 7M or 7.5M in dress shoes and 7.5M in athletic and hiking shoes. I bought both the 7 and 7.5 in the coral print wellies and I am keeping the 7. I liked the room in the toe box in the 7.5 but they just felt too big everywhere else - all loose and clompy when I walked like I would trip over them. I bought the wellie warmers to wear with them - not really for winter bc I have winter snow boots - but more for how soft and cute they are for springtime when its cool and rainy. If I wear just the wellie warmers with no other socks, the boots fit snug but comfortably. (I think though if I wore a wide shoe size they'd be too narrow). I was planning on wearing insoles with them but didn't have to because the footbed is finished in these boots with a little arch support (not just a rubber bottom). I've read a lot of complaints about the top opening being narrow on the calf. I have muscular calves (but I'm also only 5'3") and the opening fits me just fine even with my jeans tucked in. I think the opening is supposed to be a little snug to keep the rain/puddles from splashing into your boot!
I bought these boots and after I ordered I noticed that a lot of comments said that with even normal sized calves they were too tight so I got really nervous (I have calves on the larger size). But I just got them in the mail and they fit perfectly with plenty of room to spare for thick socks. I am looking forward to wearing these out in the snow and rain!
