My parents gave me a pair of LL Bean boots for Christmas 38 years ago before I went to college. I have worn them a lot through the years. The soles were completely bald so I dropped them off at the Bean retail store. It took two weeks to ship to Maine and back, and $40 and I had a basically brand new pair of boots. New laces, tread/soles, and inserts. Incredible value. Good to see them do well in these tests. Love these boots.
@@m.richards6947 I just had this service performed four months ago. Maybe your local store didn't want to do it. Call the 800 number and they will set you up. Good luck.
I have talked to L. L. Bean about making a brand of boots comparable to Doc Martens a d Solovairs. Some of them seemed open to the idea. They would be cheaper than both and have the quality of L. L. Bean. So everyone go on Facebook and continue to pressure them to start making them.
I was a hunter who used LL Bean boots in many outdoor adventures. I routinely wore out a pair in a year or two. For me, waterproofness was desirable but not the main objective. It helped to treat the leather uppers with water resistant waxes. I chose these boots because they were light, and thus didn't contribute to exhaustion after miles of walking. Their soles didn't load up with soil even when that soil held a lot of clay. Above all, I appreciated the fact the boots were flexible enough to let my feet feel the ground. Knowing what I was walking on helped me avoid falls.
I'm actually shocked the Bean boots did the best on waterproofness. (Former Bean Boot factory worker here, back again!) The ones without Gore Tex aren't made to be waterproof at all, and the Sorels ARE supposed to be sealed. Yikes! By the way, Bean Boots can be made much more waterproof by taking a thick dubbin like sno-seal along that big line of stitching. Really shove it in with your thumb, or a toothbrush. But really, if you're gonna stand in water, get rubber boots. If you'll just be passing through streams and puddles, Bean Boots will do fine.
It’s sad that you don’t spread the word about how terrible and unamerican LL Bean is as a company. They eliminated the gross majority of their domestic manufacturing and eliminated their satisfaction guarantee while continuing to raise prices each year. The Duck boot is literally one of the last item numbers out of LL Bean’s catalog to be made in America. Truly a shame that people won’t hold them accountable and stop buying their offshore made junk.
I have many pairs of LL Beans. I love them. I wear them usually only in rain. Also have uggs and sorels, all used for appropriate weather. I live in MA so need more than one pair.
You should do hiking boots too! A lot of them claim water proof too and they’re built for some tough terrain could be interesting especially retro vs new!
I use “Smiling Mink,” on my Boots, including the LL Beans. The boots are waterproof up to the top, or at a Gap in the Gusset. The thing I don’t like about the LL Beans, is they are extremely slippery on polished concrete and tile, and it is easy to slip and fall.
I would love to see this test redone with the boots being properly waterproofed. None of these boots claim to be waterproof over the rubber, however you can make them waterproof by buying a waterproof boot guard, (LL. Bean sells one) it a beeswax based dressing that you can use to condition the leather, you can also pack it in all the seams to waterproof the boot. I live in Maine where LL. Bean originated- everyone here knows that you have to waterproof your boots, unless they are specified to be waterproof.
I just bought a pair of sorel boots and the price went up to 230. They are for my daughter in law's birthday wish I would of found this video before purchasing I would of bought llbean.
Thank you for good common sense by a person who lives in the state these are made on! LOVE L.L. Bean as I use to live in Maine and still fully promote andd support the company due to their integrity and quality.
The waterproofness depends on how hight the tounge goes up and where it attached to. An 11 " tall boot does you no good if the tounge is only attached at the bottom
I think these videos are a great visual example as to why you should always perform maintenance on your boots, especially when it comes to weatherproofing! It's always a good idea to give your boots a coat of weatherproof spray as an added layer of protection
The other thing about Bean boots is that fully waterproof models exist, and its pretty easy to waterproof them yourself. With a lanolin-beeswax waterproofer that L.L. Bean sells you can make them decently waterproof, though obviously you will need to reapply every season or so.
I love my LL Bean boots. They're the same as what you tested and they're 20 years old. (Resoled once by LL BEAN) I use them for fishing in the rain when the shore is muddy and wet. I have a heavier and thicker insulated pair for winter use that are over 23 old. They're also great boots that will last if you treat the leather every now and then. Occasionally i wear neoprene socks with both sets of boots to keep my feet completely dry and warm.
Now that you have ventured into “puncture proof” I would like to see some tests on puncture proof jungle boots (Rocky) or even snake proof boots. Here in South Texas we have some real mean cacti and fangs!
@@3lightsteps I often just wear men's boots if I can find them small enough. I fit a size 7.5-8 in men's sizes (9-10 in women's), so it can be hard to find, but when I do, often stuff is on clearance since not as many men fit those sizes. When I used to do a lot of horseback riding, I'd wear a couple different pairs of men's boots depending on what I needed for the day.
Back when I was a kid, in the late 80s 90s my sister had one of those hair dryers that you can poof your hair up a couple Building stories. I would sled riding and run around all day just stopping in now and again to dry my boots out. I would stick them in a boot and let him go for a bit and it would dry the inside out very thoroughly.;)
Yep, I agree. Waterproofed leather, however they do it, takes forever to dry. I've worn them submerged in swamp water hunting pheasants. But I'll prefer them any day to the sweaty plastic bag called goretex. but then again, I was submerging them. If I don't submerge the leather boot, then they dry quickly.
The large grommet boots you buy with liners LL Bean and Sorrel. There is also something called a Gators these covers keep water from coming over the top. No boot is waterproof when punctured. My Sorrel Boots are over 40 years old with fleece liners for warmth and gator covers to keep dry, if needed. You have not tested everything but temperature and comfort.
Only the boots nowadays sadly, but hey better than nothing. I am a Bean Booter for life. And by that I mean I own only two pair (low cut and 8 inch) and I’m set for life 😂
I love LL Bean. Best brand in America. I will go out of my way to give them my business on everything. I could share a dozen stories of how great they've been to work with on everything from camping gear to fly fishing equipment to clothing. I only wish they had more products I could buy from them. Not kidding. I grew up in MA, now live in MO, and whenever I need something I think they might have they get my first and last call.
As a suburbanite living in the South, I don’t slog through swamps while hunting muskrats (or whatever the heck lives in swamps), but I do occasionally need to shovel a couple inches of snow off my porch stairs and sidewalk. I really didn’t need big snow boots, but I needed something waterproof. Last season I bought some LL Bean gum boots and am very happy with them. Obviously, if you live in Nova Scotia or the Arctic Circle, you’ll need something more substantial, but these are perfect for me.
Had my first set of sorel's for 35+ years worked in those for the first 3.5 years almost daily drilling well's, amazing boot. Bought a new even nicer model of sorel's used around the house during winter only shoveling snow taking the trash out that minor stuff. The new ones fell apart in 3 years. The rubber cracked and chunks the size of golf balls fell off, the rubber shattered like glass. The seams and leather cracked but the laces still look like new haha. I will never buy sorel boots again it broke my heart that that company sold out like all the rest. Going to try the LL bean on your recommendation. Thanks for sharing your video.
I've got several pairs of LL Bean duck boots - the oldest is from 1986, and I still wear them. Great review - I really love the deconstruction. Thank you.
Having lived in New England (CT) for over 9 years, the folks I see wearing Duck style boots do so pretty exclusively in the winter months as a dedicated snow boot. Shoveling snow from the driveway, brushing snow off the car to get to work, to keep feet warm and dry from snow and slushy puddles as they walk about. I dont know anyone who uses these boots for hunting of any kind. But, it does almost seem as though having a pair of LL Bean duck boots is mandatory as a condition to live around here.
Its not a duck boot, but the red wing "sock bladder" system is extremely waterproof. I have a pair of the generic 6in mechanics boots, and I have completely submerged them in water about 5 inches, not a drop of water seeped in.
I've been watching your channel for a long time, I love your content. I have to say, I love your puncture setup. This is exactly the kind of thing I would see in actual research. I know you semi-jokingly said it's garage science, but it's real science, too! We're all out here putting together these kinda janky rigs, because there's no tool for exactly what we want. Keep up the great stuff :)
Wow! Great video and it's really cool that you and your team took the time to come up with the puncture test. I agree, maybe not the most accurate, but certainly cool! As a result of your series, bought myself a pair of the LL Bean boots! A lot of these manufactures should be thanking you and your team for your videos and opinions since you have to be influencing their sales on some level! As an example, two weeks ago the LL Bean 8" thinsulate was backordered until March! Maybe that was due to Christmas, but your channel may have had something to do with that as well! Keep-up your great work and it's great to see the other channel collaboration like in Stridewise and Trenton and Heath!
The puncture test is quite good - would be interesting to see how other boots you've already done videos on fare in this. It's also interesting to know if there's a correlation between puncture resistance and surface grip. E.g. if you need softer material to get better grip, but that increases your risk of a puncture, that's valuable information.
I have had many pairs of LL Bean 16” Maine Hunting Shoes and have not ever had a problem with them leaking unless the water went over the top of the boot. I did always use some of the Bean boot wax on them really wiring it into the seams. This included extensive time spent traipsing around in salt water and brackish marshes for hours at a time. Never got my feet wet unless the water was over 16 inches. Even then, if was just a moment, my heavy wool socks absorbed the water before it could get all the way to my feet. I have also worn Danner’s and Rockies. The Danners are awesome, the Rockies are good and none of them leaked. The Danners and Rockies have Goretex so you don’t get the sweat problem the Bean boots can have.
Have had a pair of the LL Beans from their catalogue for about 15 years. They've held up well. I bought them because few boots for women come in a marrow width.
Well done. I use this style of boot for sailing, since they are easier to remove than sailing boots should you find yourself in the water, they can be adjusted to your foot more comfortably, and they are often lined for cold weather. One factor you didn't address, and couldn't address, is how well they fit. Unfortunately, the Beans are not at all comfortable for me, and I wear a boot made by Superior, available at, ironically, Walmart. They are lined with Thermalite and are very comfortable. I've worn them for years with success. One issue sailors care about is how skid-proof they are on a wet deck and these fit the bill. Thanks for the test, really appreciated.
@@stephenmitchum5864, the bean boots are priced fairly. At the end of the day it's a mass manufactured rubber sole with a nylon shank sewed to some decent leather. The only reason they're not over priced is because they're made in America.
For all the boots I have tried for difficult hiking on rocks and mud, the Keen brand is the best. Their waterproofing lasts a long time. For some of the lesser brands, they start to leak long before the tread is worn down and the ankle support starts to fail.
I wore Keen hiking boots for 6 hours straight in downpour and deep puddles x 2 days of urban walks. My feet stayed dry and warm. But it took a long time to dry the exterior.
I worked landscape construction throughout the 90s in Sorels, slogging through Colorado snow, rain and mud at new construction sites, and my feet never got wet and never got cold. I can't speak for the other brands, but I still have those same Sorels, and they are still flawless boots for their intended purpose. For full submersion, I have some excellent Mares fins; use the right tool for the right job...
Seems like sorel has become more of a fashion statement than an actual practical winter boot. I bought my wife sorel's because all the women were wearing them so of course she wanted them because it was in style, and she couldn't be outside for long at all and her feet often got wet just from snow melting on them. I bought her baffins and she can't believe the difference.
My Danner hiking books have gortex layer to keep them dry. I’ve never had any water intrusion but I don’t wear them for walking in flooded outdoor conditions.
The Kamik Yukon 5 and Yukon 6 would have been an interesting addition to the lineup. Made in Canada, they are duck boot line with an aggressive lug pattern and full gusseting up the length of the tongue. No clue as to whether it's also seam-sealed as well, but it feels well-built and -- hypothesis -- could sit between the Sorels and LL Beans for both the waterproofing and puncture tests.
A big thing to remember is that with waterproof boots, once wet they stay wet. Non-waterproof boots designed correctly will be dry enough after a little bit of rucking and walking around. Meanwhile with my waterproof sets if I get the water level high enough to soak in, they are still wet even after a day or two.
I only wear this style of boot in temps well below freezing, so liquid water isn't a big concern. Near freezing I usually wear a muck boot that is waterproof.
Easier to test them, put the water inside the shoe and see if it holds. Thats how we've been told to test the goretex boots for trekking, hill walking etc it's the only way to know if the membrane is damaged.
@@stephenmitchum5864 No, that's how you actually test the membrane in a goretex boot/shoe. Water molecules are too big to fit through the holes in the membrane but water vapour isn't that's why it's breathable.
Recently acquired 2 pair of Chinese made duck boots. One is Polar Edge with a leather upper. The other is Game Winner with a Cordura upper. They have kept my feet dry in damp conditions, and when the garden hose was splattering all over them. These were found in nearly new condition on a vacant lot along with some other good stuff, where some lowlife had dumped. At least the price was right. I have always considered duck boots to be used on soggy ground and getting through shallow puddles. I have a pair of RedBall knee high rubber boots I bought some time in the 80s. Don't wear them often, but they are still in great shape and pliable. I apply some 303, or Griot's Garage Rubber Dressing to them once in a while. Now there is TrimSerum, which may be even better. These products would be good for the rubber parts of duck boots.
I have worn the L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoe for decades while waterfowl hunting in mucky, and marshy places. My feet stay dry, considering normal perspiration. These boots seem fairly immune from puncture in marshy areas with beaver cut "punji stick" tree remains. They are not the most comfortable boot for long road hiking, but in wet terrain they do the job well, and are a robust, long lasting boot.
I have a pair of the old LL Bean Maine Hunting boots, I believe 8". Probably 30+ years old, got them used for 20 bucks, half size or so too big on my feet but always wore with thick socks. I've worn them for creek wading and had the water up to the very top of the boot. For years I never had any leaks, though now one of them has a tiny leak. Hardly noticeable however. They aren't very comfortable in my opinion, but great wet weather shoes. I wear them everyday in the winter working on a snow crew.
You don't wear those kind of boots expecting them to be waterproof above the rubber any more than regular boots are. If you want that, wear full rubber wellington boots.
@Marc Carran Good wellies are great. I always opt for them in such a situation. I have Barbour and Hunter boots. Both fit my lower leg very well and stay on very well. Other than your foot not breathing they are as comfortable as cowboy boots. I didn't say only wear wellies, but you shouldn't take them where you would wear wellies and expect the same performance as they are a compromise so expect a performance compromise. Maybe you want that as wellies don't breathe and you want some waterproof performance.
Wellies are for rainy days, duck style shoes are good for when the temperature is around freezing, as they are warm (at least mine are) and waterproof enough to keep wet snow out.
@Marc Carran Depends on where you live and what you do because it is much easier to deal with a rubber boot when there is a lot of mud and standing water. Not the same as going for a hike on a wet day. Cleaning boots is an issue too. Not an issue with an occasional hike where you clean you gear after but annoying if you just go outside and want something to hose down.
@@emmamemma4162 Yeah that makes sense. I know someone who has those insultated ones. Good for hunting when it's cold and wet but you will be in them for a long time and they stop you getting cold. In snow or even wet snow you won't have the same problems as in this water test as snow may be damp but isn't getting forced in under pressure like water.
@@TomDingleby Exactly, I got a really warm pair with thick soles so I can stand around in the snow for hours without getting cold feet. I agree with you on wellies being the best shoes for mud and standing water, I have a pair that only go to my ankles and are fairly stylish. I love that I can wear them in the garden and then walk through some water to get them clean enough for a trip to the grocery store.
Love bean boots. I would always sport a pair during the winter. Great for rainy days, or when the ground is so muddy due to spring rain storms and snow melt. Great, practical, and can even be fashionable. I love mine and have owned them for years! Very durable and my feet have never been wet from a puddle or from rain
You should also mention that L.L.Bean will re-build your boots (new bottoms, laces,insoles, and repair uppers if necessary) for a very reasonable price, and return them quickly. I have a pair that is over 35 years old, and I wear them very often in the winter. They have been re-soled at least 5 times! I think it coest about $35 to resole them.
I’ve had 2 pairs of the Sorrel. Neither lasted the season, really leaked. Also had their mid calf rubber boot, same issue. The sole literally fell apart into sections
been wearing LLBean boots 35 years,,,,,The Maine Hunting shoe still have my original pair been resoled once by LLbean * rubber bottom also have the 100 th anniversary model with red sole and the slip on model and the short boot " leather and the 3 eye shoe with rubber bottom,,,,,great boots made in USA and all are resoleable from LLB A++++++
I don’t see how the pierce test is the same as standing on a sharp rock. The physics of that mass dispersement is not even close to that of a single nail
@@kurtwatson9039 I get the concept but if the likelihood of stepping on nails in outdoor environments was high, I wouldn’t buy boots designed for water. I’d buy puncture proof boots. So the idea that putting nails through rubber boots suggesting this is a poor choice on my part based on nothing to do with what they were designed for, doesn’t make sense. Go find the sharpest rock out there and stand on it, pretty sure the rubber would be able to do what the boot was DESIGNED for in the first place!
I’ve worn my LLBean duck boots to the North Pole twice when I served on nuclear submarines Back in 1977. I climbed Mount St. Helens with the same pair last year 2021. I’ve replace the bottom three times but the leather upper is so soft. I love them. Replaced rubber bottoms every time for free.
When I used to live in Michigan i walked everywhere all year (2-6 miles a day). I had a pair of Sorel winter boots. They kept my feet dry through slush and puddles as long as the water didn't go over the top of the boot. They were also very well insulated, I would wear normal socks and never got cold. I had them for 3 years of heavy seasonal use and they were still like new, I highly recommend them
I bought the boots with zippers and they said we’re waterproof. They were not and filled with water. Soaked and would not dry out. I contacted them and they sent me the lace up ones, returning the soaked ones and have those boots and dry feet 5 years later. Love the boots, thanks LLBean.
Wow, growing up in Canada I always thought that Sorel was and is the benchmark for winter boots. I guess WAS. (Didn't know they had been bought out by Columbia.) Have been living on the west coast for 20 + years and have not needed a true winter boot, but am moving to snow country in 9 months and will need a good winter boot soon. I will not consider Sorel boots as an option, now.
In my experience, the Sorel's are a lot comfier and warmer, and so I tend to reach for them more often for everyday type mud, rain, and snow situations.
I’ll say I’ve been rocking the Sperry’s for the last 4 years and they’ve held up in durability and protected against most parking lot floods. But I will look into LL Bean. Never considered their shoes.
I worked for LL BEAN…I have two pairs…there boots can withstand a lot of abuse….I wear them through fall and winter…I love the way they feel…reminds me of home in PA…mud and water hikes…being told to leave those boots on the landing and not in the house….
When my Chinese built hunting boots finally give up the ghost( it’s goretex- but leaks) - I’ll run to llbean catalog, and buy a pair of the original in thinsulate.
You have to see what leather Bean boots you are buying. Some models have non waterproof uppers and the tongue gusset is very low, like 2nd or 3rd lace hole. These are the fashion models for walks to Blue bottle coffee. While others are treated with waterproofing which can wear off over time. And some have added goretex. The 10" main hunting boot uses a different leather that is 100% water proof made so in the tanning process. The only water that can get thru is the top of the shaft or the sewing where the rubber is joined with the upper.
I bought a pair of LL Bean maybe 5 years ago, which wasn't easy as I live in Europ. I've used them a lot, mostly in the snow but also in a rain, and they never let me down. Plus, they are still brand new. Before that, I had a pair of Sorel, which were crap.
People used to know how to treat and maintain leather. Maybe because we started with baseball gloves at 8 years old. I had some Kmart Duck Boots once. I treated the letter and they work surprisingly well.
I have a pair of 25 year old Sorel Caribou boots that have a full gusset and have never leaked. I keep them in good condition w Sno-Seal and occasional mink oil. Worn in high country Colorado and also Vermont winters all these many moons.
My parents gave me a pair of LL Bean boots for Christmas 38 years ago before I went to college. I have worn them a lot through the years. The soles were completely bald so I dropped them off at the Bean retail store. It took two weeks to ship to Maine and back, and $40 and I had a basically brand new pair of boots. New laces, tread/soles, and inserts. Incredible value. Good to see them do well in these tests. Love these boots.
Back then, materials were made w much better quality.
Not anymore though...
They don't do this anymore.
@@m.richards6947 I just had this service performed four months ago. Maybe your local store didn't want to do it. Call the 800 number and they will set you up. Good luck.
@@tonydog4456 Okay I just know it says on their site they changed their lifetime guarantee to a limited one year guarantee back in 2018.
as someone who lived in freeport for years (where the bean store is) beans boots are just so nice they the best looking and has great quality
The Bean Boots threads run through a liquid wax reservoir as they get sewn. I’m happy to see my own work end up on top here.
Thank you for your hard work! I won’t buy any other outdoor boot! 🫶🏼
Thank you. I've had mine for 30 years and they are still great.
Have had my Beans for 30+ years. Never leaked. I just wax the leather as directed in original instructions and never had a problem.
I mean you can do that with any shoe or boot so long as it isn't fabric and call it water proof.
All hall the bean
That is what I used to do. I would treat the leather, the tongue and seams with NikWax and they held up for hours without leaking.
It's bc your name is Larry Beaver.
I have talked to L. L. Bean about making a brand of boots comparable to Doc Martens a d Solovairs. Some of them seemed open to the idea. They would be cheaper than both and have the quality of L. L. Bean. So everyone go on Facebook and continue to pressure them to start making them.
Fun fact: Bean Boot’s leather comes from SB Foot tannery, which is owned and operated by Redwing
I was a hunter who used LL Bean boots in many outdoor adventures. I routinely wore out a pair in a year or two. For me, waterproofness was desirable but not the main objective. It helped to treat the leather uppers with water resistant waxes. I chose these boots because they were light, and thus didn't contribute to exhaustion after miles of walking. Their soles didn't load up with soil even when that soil held a lot of clay. Above all, I appreciated the fact the boots were flexible enough to let my feet feel the ground. Knowing what I was walking on helped me avoid falls.
Loved this review!
I'm actually shocked the Bean boots did the best on waterproofness. (Former Bean Boot factory worker here, back again!) The ones without Gore Tex aren't made to be waterproof at all, and the Sorels ARE supposed to be sealed. Yikes!
By the way, Bean Boots can be made much more waterproof by taking a thick dubbin like sno-seal along that big line of stitching. Really shove it in with your thumb, or a toothbrush. But really, if you're gonna stand in water, get rubber boots. If you'll just be passing through streams and puddles, Bean Boots will do fine.
Thanks for the awesome insider info. Got my goretex ones last year and love them!
It’s sad that you don’t spread the word about how terrible and unamerican LL Bean is as a company. They eliminated the gross majority of their domestic manufacturing and eliminated their satisfaction guarantee while continuing to raise prices each year. The Duck boot is literally one of the last item numbers out of LL Bean’s catalog to be made in America. Truly a shame that people won’t hold them accountable and stop buying their offshore made junk.
@@AaronsRandomLife you seem like a dork
Please do an AmA!
@@dougthealligator you seem like an ignorant consumerist.
I have many pairs of LL Beans. I love them. I wear them usually only in rain. Also have uggs and sorels, all used for appropriate weather. I live in MA so need more than one pair.
You should do hiking boots too! A lot of them claim water proof too and they’re built for some tough terrain could be interesting especially retro vs new!
Exactly what i was thinking!
Could be a huge content idea
Would love to see Keen boots tested!
Would be super helpful. They're not cheap but a very important part of a good hiking experience.
Hiking boots would be huge. So many brands make claims of being “fully waterproof” while being barely water resistant. Loads of false advertising.
I use “Smiling Mink,” on my Boots, including the LL Beans. The boots are waterproof up to the top, or at a Gap in the Gusset. The thing I don’t like about the LL Beans, is they are extremely slippery on polished concrete and tile, and it is easy to slip and fall.
I would love to see this test redone with the boots being properly waterproofed. None of these boots claim to be waterproof over the rubber, however you can make them waterproof by buying a waterproof boot guard, (LL. Bean sells one) it a beeswax based dressing that you can use to condition the leather, you can also pack it in all the seams to waterproof the boot. I live in Maine where LL. Bean originated- everyone here knows that you have to waterproof your boots, unless they are specified to be waterproof.
I just bought a pair of sorel boots and the price went up to 230. They are for my daughter in law's birthday wish I would of found this video before purchasing I would of bought llbean.
I also agree with her suggestion. Arianna Searway, thank you👍🙌👏 for the info provided.
Thank you for good common sense by a person who lives in the state these are made on! LOVE L.L. Bean as I use to live in Maine and still fully promote andd support the company due to their integrity and quality.
Can you provide a link or site for that item? I am buying my first ll bean and would love to waterproof them.
The Bean boots are great! Bought them for my wife and daughter! They love the comfort! They are the go to boots when we go to NYC.
The waterproofness depends on how hight the tounge goes up and where it attached to. An 11 " tall boot does you no good if the tounge is only attached at the bottom
Jerry Kinnin: It also depends on HOW they are attached. Some boots are not gusseted. Those that are, fare better.
I think these videos are a great visual example as to why you should always perform maintenance on your boots, especially when it comes to weatherproofing! It's always a good idea to give your boots a coat of weatherproof spray as an added layer of protection
I’m pretty sure L.L. Bean specifically tell you it is only waterproof up to the rubber, so I wouldn’t expect anything but that.
The other thing about Bean boots is that fully waterproof models exist, and its pretty easy to waterproof them yourself. With a lanolin-beeswax waterproofer that L.L. Bean sells you can make them decently waterproof, though obviously you will need to reapply every season or so.
It's true, but the leather is also gusseted. If you beeswax the seam, you've got a boot that's waterproof enough for 90% of people
That's bc L.L. Bean is a trusted brand, that actually lives up to that trust haha
I love my LL Bean boots. They're the same as what you tested and they're 20 years old. (Resoled once by LL BEAN) I use them for fishing in the rain when the shore is muddy and wet. I have a heavier and thicker insulated pair for winter use that are over 23 old. They're also great boots that will last if you treat the leather every now and then. Occasionally i wear neoprene socks with both sets of boots to keep my feet completely dry and warm.
Now that you have ventured into “puncture proof” I would like to see some tests on puncture proof jungle boots (Rocky) or even snake proof boots. Here in South Texas we have some real mean cacti and fangs!
Someone needs to make snake boots for athletic women with larger calf muscles.
@@3lightsteps I often just wear men's boots if I can find them small enough. I fit a size 7.5-8 in men's sizes (9-10 in women's), so it can be hard to find, but when I do, often stuff is on clearance since not as many men fit those sizes. When I used to do a lot of horseback riding, I'd wear a couple different pairs of men's boots depending on what I needed for the day.
I’d love to see a dry-time test for these boots. It’s a pain to get your boots wet on the inside, but it’s even worse when they take forever to dry.
Get a boot dryer from Cabela's.
Back when I was a kid, in the late 80s 90s my sister had one of those hair dryers that you can poof your hair up a couple Building stories. I would sled riding and run around all day just stopping in now and again to dry my boots out. I would stick them in a boot and let him go for a bit and it would dry the inside out very thoroughly.;)
Yep, I agree. Waterproofed leather, however they do it, takes forever to dry. I've worn them submerged in swamp water hunting pheasants. But I'll prefer them any day to the sweaty plastic bag called goretex. but then again, I was submerging them. If I don't submerge the leather boot, then they dry quickly.
I’m from Maine you have no idea how happy I am that you made this video
Toaster is waterproof (cat)
I think we need a video to test this hypothesis.
Has to be plugged in for the waterproof to work though
One of my buddies tested it, but that prick didn't tell me the results.
Just don’t throw toaster in the water while you are in it.......
@@vustiburnproductions6049 yeah, I wouldn't want to be in a tub with Toaster or a toaster...
Both seem dangerous.
The large grommet boots you buy with liners LL Bean and Sorrel. There is also something called a Gators these covers keep water from coming over the top.
No boot is waterproof when punctured. My Sorrel Boots are over 40 years old with fleece liners for warmth and gator covers to keep dry, if needed.
You have not tested everything but temperature and comfort.
Glad to know a classic American product is still being made right in Maine with excellent quality
Yeah! I was impressed and very happy to see that result, as a mainer haha
Me to
Me too!
Me three, as a Mainer!
Only the boots nowadays sadly, but hey better than nothing. I am a Bean Booter for life. And by that I mean I own only two pair (low cut and 8 inch) and I’m set for life 😂
I love LL Bean. Best brand in America. I will go out of my way to give them my business on everything. I could share a dozen stories of how great they've been to work with on everything from camping gear to fly fishing equipment to clothing. I only wish they had more products I could buy from them. Not kidding. I grew up in MA, now live in MO, and whenever I need something I think they might have they get my first and last call.
Grew up in MA too, and yes L.L. Bean is our go to for just about everything.
Love L.L. Bean! They are the very best and such wonderful people and service!
The guy at Project Farm would like this.
I was thinking the same thing. I love Todd's channel.
Me also!
@@MM-tf5gg We shall enjoy another Project Farm tomorrow at noon, or whatever time zone you are in.
@@Colorado_Native Good I'll be there!
But can the LLBean boot replace a see thru lawnmower head? Can ground up LLBean boot lubricate a lawnmower engine?
As a suburbanite living in the South, I don’t slog through swamps while hunting muskrats (or whatever the heck lives in swamps), but I do occasionally need to shovel a couple inches of snow off my porch stairs and sidewalk. I really didn’t need big snow boots, but I needed something waterproof. Last season I bought some LL Bean gum boots and am very happy with them. Obviously, if you live in Nova Scotia or the Arctic Circle, you’ll need something more substantial, but these are perfect for me.
Had my first set of sorel's for 35+ years worked in those for the first 3.5 years almost daily drilling well's, amazing boot. Bought a new even nicer model of sorel's used around the house during winter only shoveling snow taking the trash out that minor stuff. The new ones fell apart in 3 years. The rubber cracked and chunks the size of golf balls fell off, the rubber shattered like glass. The seams and leather cracked but the laces still look like new haha. I will never buy sorel boots again it broke my heart that that company sold out like all the rest. Going to try the LL bean on your recommendation. Thanks for sharing your video.
the old ones were made in Canada. New ones in China
Thanks for the honesty ! I was debating ($) but dry toes and long lasting are important issues !!!
I've got several pairs of LL Bean duck boots - the oldest is from 1986, and I still wear them. Great review - I really love the deconstruction. Thank you.
Having lived in New England (CT) for over 9 years, the folks I see wearing Duck style boots do so pretty exclusively in the winter months as a dedicated snow boot. Shoveling snow from the driveway, brushing snow off the car to get to work, to keep feet warm and dry from snow and slushy puddles as they walk about. I dont know anyone who uses these boots for hunting of any kind. But, it does almost seem as though having a pair of LL Bean duck boots is mandatory as a condition to live around here.
HACK: cover the inside of seams with Roofing cement and top with denim. Cure for a week. Same for nail holes
Its not a duck boot, but the red wing "sock bladder" system is extremely waterproof. I have a pair of the generic 6in mechanics boots, and I have completely submerged them in water about 5 inches, not a drop of water seeped in.
I've been watching your channel for a long time, I love your content. I have to say, I love your puncture setup. This is exactly the kind of thing I would see in actual research. I know you semi-jokingly said it's garage science, but it's real science, too! We're all out here putting together these kinda janky rigs, because there's no tool for exactly what we want. Keep up the great stuff :)
Wow! Great video and it's really cool that you and your team took the time to come up with the puncture test. I agree, maybe not the most accurate, but certainly cool! As a result of your series, bought myself a pair of the LL Bean boots! A lot of these manufactures should be thanking you and your team for your videos and opinions since you have to be influencing their sales on some level! As an example, two weeks ago the LL Bean 8" thinsulate was backordered until March! Maybe that was due to Christmas, but your channel may have had something to do with that as well! Keep-up your great work and it's great to see the other channel collaboration like in Stridewise and Trenton and Heath!
My take these boots are working walking around General stuff. None of these are waders or muck boots. However, 👍 to LL Bean.
The puncture test is quite good - would be interesting to see how other boots you've already done videos on fare in this.
It's also interesting to know if there's a correlation between puncture resistance and surface grip. E.g. if you need softer material to get better grip, but that increases your risk of a puncture, that's valuable information.
I have had many pairs of LL Bean 16” Maine Hunting Shoes and have not ever had a problem with them leaking unless the water went over the top of the boot. I did always use some of the Bean boot wax on them really wiring it into the seams. This included extensive time spent traipsing around in salt water and brackish marshes for hours at a time. Never got my feet wet unless the water was over 16 inches. Even then, if was just a moment, my heavy wool socks absorbed the water before it could get all the way to my feet. I have also worn Danner’s and Rockies. The Danners are awesome, the Rockies are good and none of them leaked. The Danners and Rockies have Goretex so you don’t get the sweat problem the Bean boots can have.
Have had a pair of the LL Beans from their catalogue for about 15 years. They've held up well. I bought them because few boots for women come in a marrow width.
Thats my reason, too
I love my 6inch LLBEAN! Had them for over 5 years and still strong.
I really like LL. Can’t live without them.
Well done. I use this style of boot for sailing, since they are easier to remove than sailing boots should you find yourself in the water, they can be adjusted to your foot more comfortably, and they are often lined for cold weather. One factor you didn't address, and couldn't address, is how well they fit. Unfortunately, the Beans are not at all comfortable for me, and I wear a boot made by Superior, available at, ironically, Walmart. They are lined with Thermalite and are very comfortable. I've worn them for years with success. One issue sailors care about is how skid-proof they are on a wet deck and these fit the bill. Thanks for the test, really appreciated.
When u put Toaster in the tank at the beginning I legitimately yelled “TOASTER” in a concerned voice in a house full of sleeping people
My cat isn’t water proof, more water “resistant”.
VERY resistant
@@NMiller_ 😂
My cat, may not be faster than her shadow, but she is faster than water!
EXTREMELY resistant
How would you know it you didn't pull the tissue paper out her azz? That's the real test
What I learned; if you're thinking about buying the Sperry boots just buy 5 pairs of walmart boots.
Sad. I bought some for Christmas
@@TheGreenlove87 How have they held up?
@@thesanfranciscoseahorse473 I live in Texas so I have not used them yet. I bough them for winter travels.
No the LL Bean boot is under priced, it doesn’t matter what something cost it is under preforms
@@stephenmitchum5864, the bean boots are priced fairly. At the end of the day it's a mass manufactured rubber sole with a nylon shank sewed to some decent leather. The only reason they're not over priced is because they're made in America.
LL Bean boots are the original design and what Sperry, Walmart and other brands of duck boot copy
For all the boots I have tried for difficult hiking on rocks and mud, the Keen brand is the best. Their waterproofing lasts a long time. For some of the lesser brands, they start to leak long before the tread is worn down and the ankle support starts to fail.
I wore Keen hiking boots for 6 hours straight in downpour and deep puddles x 2 days of urban walks.
My feet stayed dry and warm. But it took a long time to dry the exterior.
I worked landscape construction throughout the 90s in Sorels, slogging through Colorado snow, rain and mud at new construction sites, and my feet never got wet and never got cold. I can't speak for the other brands, but I still have those same Sorels, and they are still flawless boots for their intended purpose. For full submersion, I have some excellent Mares fins; use the right tool for the right job...
@juliette Irene Oh, that's terrible. I'm glad mine are still in good shape, then.
I treated my l.l. bean boots after I got them but I've been able to keep my feet nice and dry after hours of fishing in around a foot of water.
Mink oil or something else?
I've done the same with my Bean boots with good results. I use SnoSeal and pay particular attention to the stitching.
My Bean boots have never failed me walking through the snow.Not sure I'd use them for walking in standing water, however...
Seems like sorel has become more of a fashion statement than an actual practical winter boot. I bought my wife sorel's because all the women were wearing them so of course she wanted them because it was in style, and she couldn't be outside for long at all and her feet often got wet just from snow melting on them. I bought her baffins and she can't believe the difference.
My sorels didn’t keep me warm either
The structure of your videos is brilliant. I love the subtle humor and jokes, and always straight to the point, no bs.
The LL Bean boots are the most China resistant, that is the biggest plus.
My Danner hiking books have gortex layer to keep them dry. I’ve never had any water intrusion but I don’t wear them for walking in flooded outdoor conditions.
The Kamik Yukon 5 and Yukon 6 would have been an interesting addition to the lineup. Made in Canada, they are duck boot line with an aggressive lug pattern and full gusseting up the length of the tongue. No clue as to whether it's also seam-sealed as well, but it feels well-built and -- hypothesis -- could sit between the Sorels and LL Beans for both the waterproofing and puncture tests.
These boots were made for farming. They were called muck boots. They were designed to clean barn stalls etc. Not to be walking through standing water.
which brand boots are you talking about. ?
A big thing to remember is that with waterproof boots, once wet they stay wet. Non-waterproof boots designed correctly will be dry enough after a little bit of rucking and walking around. Meanwhile with my waterproof sets if I get the water level high enough to soak in, they are still wet even after a day or two.
I only wear this style of boot in temps well below freezing, so liquid water isn't a big concern. Near freezing I usually wear a muck boot that is waterproof.
Same.
You should do a similar test with actual hiking boots and trail running shoes that are labeled as waterproof
Happy to say I haven't had issues with my timbs and redwings keeping my feet dry.
Easier to test them, put the water inside the shoe and see if it holds. Thats how we've been told to test the goretex boots for trekking, hill walking etc it's the only way to know if the membrane is damaged.
I don’t know how effective that test would be because I believe Gore Tex is directional.
@@stephenmitchum5864 No, that's how you actually test the membrane in a goretex boot/shoe. Water molecules are too big to fit through the holes in the membrane but water vapour isn't that's why it's breathable.
I wear LL Bean boots every day in the Maine Winter and I’ve owned them since the’80s.
“The rest of this week is going to be crazy, we got some cool videos coming out” maaaaan you told us this last year. I must see!
Recently acquired 2 pair of Chinese made duck boots. One is Polar Edge with a leather upper. The other is Game Winner with a Cordura upper. They have kept my feet dry in damp conditions, and when the garden hose was splattering all over them. These were found in nearly new condition on a vacant lot along with some other good stuff, where some lowlife had dumped. At least the price was right. I have always considered duck boots to be used on soggy ground and getting through shallow puddles. I have a pair of RedBall knee high rubber boots I bought some time in the 80s. Don't wear them often, but they are still in great shape and pliable. I apply some 303, or Griot's Garage Rubber Dressing to them once in a while. Now there is TrimSerum, which may be even better. These products would be good for the rubber parts of duck boots.
I like the puncture test, you should add it as a regular segment on the reviews
Great job! Surprised the Bean and Sorrell were not more waterproof. Thank you.
I for real thought he was going to pour water into the tank after he put toaster in there lmao
I have worn the L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoe for decades while waterfowl hunting in mucky, and marshy places. My feet stay dry, considering normal perspiration. These boots seem fairly immune from puncture in marshy areas with beaver cut "punji stick" tree remains. They are not the most comfortable boot for long road hiking, but in wet terrain they do the job well, and are a robust, long lasting boot.
Shame the Sorel leaked so quickly. I love my LL Bean but I would really like a boot without the heel.
Same
I bought a pair this year. Way more comfortable than the bean boot. Warm and great for walking.
@@peterwesthe-his5508 which one did you buy?
I have a pair of the old LL Bean Maine Hunting boots, I believe 8". Probably 30+ years old, got them used for 20 bucks, half size or so too big on my feet but always wore with thick socks. I've worn them for creek wading and had the water up to the very top of the boot. For years I never had any leaks, though now one of them has a tiny leak. Hardly noticeable however. They aren't very comfortable in my opinion, but great wet weather shoes. I wear them everyday in the winter working on a snow crew.
You don't wear those kind of boots expecting them to be waterproof above the rubber any more than regular boots are. If you want that, wear full rubber wellington boots.
@Marc Carran Good wellies are great. I always opt for them in such a situation. I have Barbour and Hunter boots. Both fit my lower leg very well and stay on very well. Other than your foot not breathing they are as comfortable as cowboy boots. I didn't say only wear wellies, but you shouldn't take them where you would wear wellies and expect the same performance as they are a compromise so expect a performance compromise. Maybe you want that as wellies don't breathe and you want some waterproof performance.
Wellies are for rainy days, duck style shoes are good for when the temperature is around freezing, as they are warm (at least mine are) and waterproof enough to keep wet snow out.
@Marc Carran Depends on where you live and what you do because it is much easier to deal with a rubber boot when there is a lot of mud and standing water. Not the same as going for a hike on a wet day. Cleaning boots is an issue too. Not an issue with an occasional hike where you clean you gear after but annoying if you just go outside and want something to hose down.
@@emmamemma4162 Yeah that makes sense. I know someone who has those insultated ones. Good for hunting when it's cold and wet but you will be in them for a long time and they stop you getting cold. In snow or even wet snow you won't have the same problems as in this water test as snow may be damp but isn't getting forced in under pressure like water.
@@TomDingleby Exactly, I got a really warm pair with thick soles so I can stand around in the snow for hours without getting cold feet. I agree with you on wellies being the best shoes for mud and standing water, I have a pair that only go to my ankles and are fairly stylish. I love that I can wear them in the garden and then walk through some water to get them clean enough for a trip to the grocery store.
Love bean boots. I would always sport a pair during the winter. Great for rainy days, or when the ground is so muddy due to spring rain storms and snow melt. Great, practical, and can even be fashionable. I love mine and have owned them for years! Very durable and my feet have never been wet from a puddle or from rain
The link for the Walmart boot killed me 😂
You should also mention that L.L.Bean will re-build your boots (new bottoms, laces,insoles, and repair uppers if necessary) for a very reasonable price, and return them quickly. I have a pair that is over 35 years old, and I wear them very often in the winter. They have been re-soled at least 5 times! I think it coest about $35 to resole them.
I’ve had 2 pairs of the Sorrel. Neither lasted the season, really leaked. Also had their mid calf rubber boot, same issue. The sole literally fell apart into sections
Same experiemce with my Sorels! Super expensive & the seams tore apart 2 months into owning them!
been wearing LLBean boots 35 years,,,,,The Maine Hunting shoe still have my original pair been resoled once by LLbean * rubber bottom also have the 100 th anniversary model with red sole and the slip on model and the short boot " leather and the 3 eye shoe with rubber bottom,,,,,great boots made in USA and all are resoleable from LLB A++++++
I don’t see how the pierce test is the same as standing on a sharp rock. The physics of that mass dispersement is not even close to that of a single nail
Basically, none of those boots will resist a nail puncture if you step on one pointing straight up. Steer clear of nails!
@@kurtwatson9039 I get the concept but if the likelihood of stepping on nails in outdoor environments was high, I wouldn’t buy boots designed for water. I’d buy puncture proof boots. So the idea that putting nails through rubber boots suggesting this is a poor choice on my part based on nothing to do with what they were designed for, doesn’t make sense. Go find the sharpest rock out there and stand on it, pretty sure the rubber would be able to do what the boot was DESIGNED for in the first place!
I’ve worn my LLBean duck boots to the North Pole twice when I served on nuclear submarines
Back in 1977. I climbed Mount St. Helens with the same pair last year 2021. I’ve replace the bottom three times but the leather upper is so soft. I love them. Replaced rubber bottoms every time for free.
Cut an Ecco Track 25 in half!
When I used to live in Michigan i walked everywhere all year (2-6 miles a day). I had a pair of Sorel winter boots. They kept my feet dry through slush and puddles as long as the water didn't go over the top of the boot. They were also very well insulated, I would wear normal socks and never got cold. I had them for 3 years of heavy seasonal use and they were still like new, I highly recommend them
I'd like to see Boggs versus Muck.
I bought the boots with zippers and they said we’re waterproof. They were not and filled with water. Soaked and would not dry out. I contacted them and they sent me the lace up ones, returning the soaked ones and have those boots and dry feet 5 years later. Love the boots, thanks LLBean.
Can you do a serie about the best logger boots? That would be awesome :)
Wow, growing up in Canada I always thought that Sorel was and is the benchmark for winter boots. I guess WAS. (Didn't know they had been bought out by Columbia.) Have been living on the west coast for 20 + years and have not needed a true winter boot, but am moving to snow country in 9 months and will need a good winter boot soon. I will not consider Sorel boots as an option, now.
In my experience, the Sorel's are a lot comfier and warmer, and so I tend to reach for them more often for everyday type mud, rain, and snow situations.
I’ll say I’ve been rocking the Sperry’s for the last 4 years and they’ve held up in durability and protected against most parking lot floods. But I will look into LL Bean. Never considered their shoes.
None of these boots are made for extended immersion water so it's a faulty test from the get go.
I've had the Beans , Sorels, and Walmart boots. They're all ok for wet grass, a little mud or snow. At least in my experience.
These boots are fugly and not waterproof, what purposes do they serve ？
For truly bad weather I use an insulated safety to cap wellington boot, looks alright, totally watertight, very puncture resistant and warm as hell.
We're gonna test these boots ... in a tank .. with a cat ....... to see just how Toaster proof they really are ....
I worked for LL BEAN…I have two pairs…there boots can withstand a lot of abuse….I wear them through fall and winter…I love the way they feel…reminds me of home in PA…mud and water hikes…being told to leave those boots on the landing and not in the house….
Thanks! I saw a "great deal" on Sperry, but decided to check UA-cam for reviews. Your video was very informative and entertaining.
When my Chinese built hunting boots finally give up the ghost( it’s goretex- but leaks) - I’ll run to llbean catalog, and buy a pair of the original in thinsulate.
You have to see what leather Bean boots you are buying. Some models have non waterproof uppers and the tongue gusset is very low, like 2nd or 3rd lace hole. These are the fashion models for walks to Blue bottle coffee. While others are treated with waterproofing which can wear off over time. And some have added goretex. The 10" main hunting boot uses a different leather that is 100% water proof made so in the tanning process. The only water that can get thru is the top of the shaft or the sewing where the rubber is joined with the upper.
I bought a pair of LL Bean maybe 5 years ago, which wasn't easy as I live in Europ. I've used them a lot, mostly in the snow but also in a rain, and they never let me down. Plus, they are still brand new. Before that, I had a pair of Sorel, which were crap.
People used to know how to treat and maintain leather. Maybe because we started with baseball gloves at 8 years old. I had some Kmart Duck Boots once. I treated the letter and they work surprisingly well.
Muck boots make sure they're the insulated light ones for winter.
I have a pair of 25 year old Sorel Caribou boots that have a full gusset and have never leaked. I keep them in good condition w Sno-Seal and occasional mink oil. Worn in high country Colorado and also Vermont winters all these many moons.
How about giving Muck boots the once over?
Love your channel!
I have a pair of Sperry duck boots that I wear in the winter in Michigan. They keep my feet very warm and dry in the snow and slush.
This was informative, helpful and so much fun to watch.
I'm glad I made the right decision and purchased the LL BEAN boots.
Great video!!!
Some of these shoe companies are thieves and i am glad someone is holding them accountable .
Awesome ‘tests’ . Getting ready to buy some new boots . LL Bean ! Never heard of Weaver Leather . Will check out . Thanks