Fall is coming, I assure you. And what could be a better symbol of autumn than these LL Bean Signature boots? Fall is undeniably the best time of year on the East Coast, it’s just good living. I dream about the season and its trappings most of the year. Stay tuned for more on that thought…
Brilliance. Desperately looking forward to fall myself.
I have had mine for over 15 years.
You can wear them straight through muck season.
I love what the signature collection had to offer for summer/spring and I am especially loving fall.
I own two pair of Red Wings (which is ridiculous since one will last a lifetime), but Bean Boots are better for treading the city slush. A must have.
My pair arrived in the mail Monday and I’m trying to rock them already!
http://www.atreasuryof.com/2010/08/11/bean-boots-ll-bean-signature/
I saw these in the catalog the other day. I’m still not sure what I think about the black and brown combo. I’ve got too many pairs of these already, mostly for light duty dog-walking or for rainy days. For real outdoor or inclement weather use, I prefer Schnee’s (with ADV soles) or, my new favorites, White’s Snow Cats.
I have the same pair of bean boots since 1985 or ’86. I had the bottom part replaced once. They are the super tall ones, like 16″ I dont know if you can even get them that tall anymore.
Not my favorite boot to be honest. My socks (gasp! socks?) do weird things in them and it’s not pleasant. And terrible boots for cold weather. My favorite winter boot: Whites Snow Cats. I’ve had a pair for 2 winters and they are awesome.
I’ve had the medium height chocolate leather since 95 and I need to have them resoled. I rotate between the hunting boot and blundstones. I like the Alex Carleton version of the Hunting with Wax Canvas.
Last year I ordered a pair of the bison hide bean boots and replaced the standard laces with red laces. I can’t be more pleased and actually find myself wishing for inclement weather so I can wear them more.
the boots are iconic, but completely useless.
walk around in a snowstorm in these and you’ll be screaming for a pair of sorrels. find yourself in one of those great pools of icy water that lurk at every nyc intersection right after and in between snowstorms, repeat scream, add expletives.
tortillas have better cushioning than these boots.
i digress, perfect boot for dithering about, light rain, trips to farmers market/flea markets, posing as landed ny/ct gentry and great props for a photo shoot.
Now those look like a jolly good pair of shit kickers
The best part of fall in the north east to me, yes even beats out tweed jackets, is just the smell of the leaves at night.
like erbody I had some as a kid and while these do look awesome I’m a bit non-plussed by folks being so hung up on them, they just aren’t innately aesthetically appealing, at least not to the degree of other boots, but if it’s slushy out live it up
Eh. I can’t get into the black on brown. That yellowy/orange stitching doesn’t do it for me either. But, to each his own…
-Animal
I’m going to go with Quoddy boots myself this Fall. I just can’t quite look at the above Beans without seeing an old lady tottering about her garden in them (albeit low tops at shoe level)
how’s the breathability issue with these boots? non-existent? I feel like my feet will get sweaty (even in the cold winter)…
Buy the ones that say Maine Hunting Shoe instead of bean boots….more authentic. If not in regular Bean or Signature catalog get from Bean Hunting catalog
ML’s set the right course correction here. The Maine Hunting Boot is the real heavyweight in the Bean Boot department.
I’m all for them making an ACL limited “Black Out” line for you.
I’d pay big for All Black Bean Boots. Just saying.
Do It!
These Bean boots are indeed evocative of a much anticipated autumn, but one must note that the lacing is incorrect. Or to be more precise, the lacing indicates that this pair of boots were NOT acquired on site in Freeport, Maine. Devoted Bean boot lovers know that there are three gentlemen and one woman sales associates who, if asked politely, will “tie” the lacings in the true, traditional manner (the key is snugness yet the ability to quickly slide the boots off and on.) This is a talisman among visitors to Freeport and oft recognized, especially among those who hunt with foot hounds (beagles and bassets.)
The lacing is similar (but distinctly different) from the lacing and end “knotting” of Blucher mocs that are also done for those shoes (on request) when they are purchased in Freeport.
And again, if you are in the main store (not the factory stor) and ask the (correct) clerk politely, they do still arrange for your shoes/boots to be sent down the road to the factory and have someone who worked on them/sewed them sign the inside of the tongue and you can pick them up in two days.
And of course the heel label must say “Maine Hunting Shoe” not “Bean Boot”!
(And personally the tan uppers are preferable over the dark brown or black.)
@EJ,
Did you make that whole story up or are you being for real???
I think they look pretty nice in black, the canvas look great as well.
These are are wicked awesome. Unfortunately I know brooklynites will be wearing these in mid september because its “getting chilly”. Hopefully that won’t detract too much from the style and allow me to wear these in Boulder, CO during our winters where theres actual snow on the ground 3-4 months a year. Buying these boots in NYC is like buying a Land Rover to pick up the groceries (unless your market is 20 miles of snow packed road away).
These boots are simply the best — I grew up in VT and this was all my family rocked.