Bean Boots

K

Kris Schaumburg

Well-known member
Someone was posting about how bean boots had come into fashion. I was up in Maine last month at the store while staying in Troy's cabin, and I should have bought a pair then. I didn't, however, and now wish I had. I read the notes on sizing on the website, but I'm somewhat torn. To those that have them, if I wear a 10.5 in nearly every shoe, what size should I order?
 
Agreed. Had Beans years ago and they are a good boot. I now have Schnee's and they are a better pac boot. Not so crazy about Schnee's other offerings though.
 
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I admit I didn't even know what Schnee's boots were until I googled it, but . . . .

Do you really think that comparing Bean's uninsulated $109 boots to Schnee's insulated $300 to $400 boots is an apples to apples comparison?

I'm not a big fan of the Bean's boots for hunting or anything else that involves serious walking, and they suck in the real cold, but, fashion aside, they may be the best mud season chore boots ever made.

And there is something to be said for a 1920's design that is still going strong.

I'd be a bigger fan if they made them in Sasquatch sizes so I could still wear them. I outgrew my last pair of size 14's at around age 22.
 
Jeff...if you're buying a pair of boots to hunt in then YES I do think its a fair comparison......if you're buying a pair to look spiffy in or to splash in mud puddle on the way to the mailbox then no...you are correct.......if I was doing that I'd go with a pair of Muck Boots.......I've had Beans....most uncomfortable boot I've ever worn with its moccasin style bottom.....they do look spiffy though.....


Steve
 
Steve:

Fair enough, but my experience is that most high quality "hunting" boots are overpriced, and shopping for hiking boots is a lot better deal. Maybe I'd change my mind if I wore the Schnee's, but in general I don't like rubber-bottom boots for anything but mud slogging, and waders are better suited for that.
 
Agreed on the prices of hunting boots Jeff. One thing to consider is that Schnee boots were originally designed as a pac boot for the mountains. So, apples to apples? No of course not. Bean boots, while a good boot for it's designed purpose is no where near practical for any mountainous terrain unless you want a broken ankle. My Beans gave up the ghost years ago after the second rubber bottoms finally wore out. I'm still on my first pair of Schnees that I bought over 15 years ago.
 
Well, it is the "Maine hunting shoe". We don't have much hunting in mountain country here--but we have a lot in flat swampy country and rolling hills.

A big problem with the Muck, Bog and other Wellington-type boots is that they get sucked off your feet in any kind of serious mud. This is unpleasant if you are, for example, portaging a canoe or dragging a deer. The Bean's design avoided this.

I guess my point is that the real discussion is about what Kris wants the boot for and where he'll be using it. A boot designed for mountain country and 20 below won't do a Missisippi hunter much good, and one designed for the Louisiana swamps would be terrible in an Alaskan winter.

Bean boots have their place. For example, it is completely acceptable to wear Bean boots with a suit to any formal event that occurs in winter or mud season in Maine. That may be fashion, but it beats wearing galoshes over your dress shoes!
 
for the original question- I wear a 12 for every other boot

I wear an 11 for the Maine Hunting Shoe
 
I should have expected Steve's sensitive post of the day, I now feel obligated to post pictures of a few thousand #'s of dead fish to ensure I'm still considered manly. I wish he'd do more arguing with guys who wear greater than size 14 shoes in person.
 
Kris.....hahahahaha.....


unless you were seriously "butt sore" from my soft little jab.....in which case....BUWHAHAHAHAHAA......




Fish pictures would be nice....Jam's and one of those neck tube thingies and your Pac Boots......I'll loan you my PINK Yeti for the pictures....






Steve
 
I have a pair of Bean boots that are ideal for mud season chores around town but they are cold and clammy in the field. I also second the comments about most higher end hunting boots being overpriced. I prefer good quality hiking boots at about half the price of the "made in Bozeman" hunting boots.
 
I do not have a pair of the referenced alternative boots but it is hard for me to complain a bean boot. I put a ton of miles on mine both hunting and working. When cruising timber 10 miles was a typical day. Fine down to 0 if you are moving.
As for the fashion, it is about time the rest of the country caught up. I have been wearing Bean boots, flannel shirts and wool for years. Now if we can just get those guys to pick up an axe and split their winters heat, we could tell OPEC where to go.
 
Had my pair of LL Bean Hunting Shoes for over 30 years. Had them resoled by Bean twice. Used them mostly for fishin', but did use them in early and not cold huntin' seasons to shoot lots of game, big and small.. Tread sucked, ankle support sucked, and in cold weather my huntin' buddy called em "Freezer Boots".

Yet if you want a pair to wear before you don yer waders, or stand around in a public hunting area drawing building, they do a mighty fine job. No matter what size you get they will not fit correctly.
That's part of their mystique... Back in the day if you were on a budget, and wanted a universal boot/shoe they were it.

Mine had lots of miles from all over the USA, and Canada on them. Wore out many pairs of socks in those rascals. I do miss them, but have not yet bought a new pair.
 
Kris:

Fashionable, and good for kids--even hunting kids. Used them all though my youth following my father through NE Ohio grouse covers, later hunted hard in them for WCs and Grouse in Southern Vermont. Absolutely no ankle or foot support. Was okay when I was kid. Highly recommend the Goretex lined Kangaroo boots--not insulated. Excellent support for both ankles and feet. Reasonably priced--$140+/-, little maintenance, and indestructible. I am sure others on this site have used them.
Opinions?
 
For me the Bean boots are an important matter of tradition. They go hand and hand with side by side guns, hand carved decoys etc. I got my first pair in about 1955, and have worn them since. To be frank, they aren't the best boot for some western hunting, especially chukar hunting in rimrock. I once got a badly smashed big toe due to a big rock falling on the right boot. That aside, I wouldn't wear any other boot. They were made especially for us! Just a matter of pride in again, our tradition. Best, Worth Mathewson
 
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