L.L. Bean Gore-Tex Day Hikers

Review Date
March 11, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Hiker471(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Rochester Hills, MI

Price Paid:  $60.00 at L.L. Bean

Summary:
I use these boots (Low version) for daily hiking in the warm months in Michigan. I find them most useful and comfortable for hiking on the hard-packed trail areas of parks.... they are light and function more like a sturdy running shoe which allows me to hike at a much faster pace (keeping the pulse rate up, etc.)Overall the boot is very light, cool, and comfortable.... they are my favorites for casual use. Like any lightweight hiker they wear out really fast, (7-8 months) losing all their tread on the bottom. As far as support goes I replace them after a few months to prevent my foot from splitting in half while walking on rocky ex-railroad paths. Things get really dicey traction-wise when trying to hike on muddy trails and hills. The boot was designed for light use and it delivers in that regard 100%. For deep mud, snow, I switch to an all-leather, full-length steel shank backpacking boot for support and traction.

Similar Products Used:
L.L. Bean Mountain Guides
L.L. Bean day hikers-several pair
Timberland Gore-tex field boots
Timberland Iditarod boots
Hi-Tech boots with 6" uppers
Military-Issue Jungle Boots

Review Date
November 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Frank Kerrigon(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Litchfield, CT USA

Price Paid:  $89.00 at mail order from LL Bean

Summary:
Very good lightweight boot for short to medium day hikes (up to 15 mi.) with light pack. Water proof. Good fit with my wide, low volume foot, but took some fooling around with different socks, tongue pad, and inner soles. Decent traction and stability in rocky New England with tree roots, etc.

My wife has recently sent back two new pairs of the women's version. First one had a bad seam at bottom of tongue; second had bunched up nylon above toes. Hope that's not indicative of quality problems.

Bean's customer service is the best: informed, courteous, with customer always in mind.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
June 24, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: John Ealding(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Chesterfield, VA

Summary:
These boots, and one other from L.L.Bean, both had same problem. To avoid excessive movement at heel that causes rubbing and blisters, you have to tie the laces so tightly that they cut into the tops of your feet.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 11, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Mark(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland, OR, U.S.A.

Summary:
These boots are very uncomfortable. Any hike greater than 8 miles caused me pain and blisters in many places in my feet. I'm looking to switch brands after a waste of money. I've done much better in the past on the trail in tennis or basketball shoes. I wouldn't recommend these boots.

Review Date
February 28, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Joshua Rutkowski(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Ann Arbor ,MI ,USA

Summary:
i had to have my boots sent back twice. the first time the sole of my lest boot seperated. this happened half way into a dayhike. the second time i sent the boots back was because the seams were ripping apart.

they were comfortable but the tounge of the boot oftentimes would slip down to the side.

would be good if i walked for a half hour once a year or so

Customer Service:
amazing service!!! they sent new boots back and then gave me a refund after i had so many problems. great service