Holiday Review: LL Bean Boots Rediscovered

These 8-inch LL Bean boots are part of our assortment of annual Holiday Reviews. Check out more items here.

Our guest columnist, Julie Kenney, writes:

When I was a kid, getting a new pair of Bean boots for Christmas was anticipated and desired.  This fall, just opening up the cardboard box brought me right back to Christmas mornings as a Maine girl.

As I grew older, it seemed more convenient to try out different boots (maybe less expensive too) from other manufacturers.  Big box stores seemed to be the way to go. But I jumped at the chance to review the Limited Edition Thinsulate and flannel Bean boot.  A few differences from the Bean boots of yore:

  • The leather is much more soft and supple
  • The fit is more of a sneaker than a clunky boot

A few things that have remained the same:

  • The handmade quality is still evident
  • Utilizes the same heritage boot tread that’s said LL Bean forever
  • Waterproof rubber lowers
  • String boot ties to lace up (which made me oddly nostalgic)

Every pair of boots comes with a notecard with a person’s name that handcrafted that pair…mine is from “Nancy.”  Thank you Nancy!

Caution:  if you intend to wear your boots with thick socks, order up a full size.  My regular and lightly padded socks worked perfectly with them.  Some online reviews mention a heel ridge that can be uncomfortable.  I did not find this to be the case with my fit; there’s an option of removing the padded inner sole if needed.

I am so thrilled to rediscover my love of L.L.Bean boots.  They work perfectly with our chilly, wet autumns here in Maine.

These 8-inch LL Bean boots are part of our assortment of annual Holiday Reviews. Check out more items here.

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