Rain Gear – Coffee and Catwalk

Hey there! I came home on this cold, wet day to find a wonderful surprise waiting on the porch…my Bean boots had arrived! I have been so excited about these boots. I don’t own a pair of all-weather boots, and I wasn’t too pleased with the options I found out there. I’m not a fan of the all-rubber rain boot, even though I know they are great for rain. They also come in some pretty fun colors to brighten up a dreary day. My problem is they either slip up and down on my feet, making me sound like a horse trotting around the track, or if I go down a half size, they are too tight. Rainboots and my feet just do not get along!

Enter the Bean boot. I’ve never owned anything from L.L. Bean, but I recently read a review of the various types of Bean boots on Kelly in the City. The creator of that blog, Kelly Larkin, lives in Chicago, and she knows a thing or two about finding good footwear for the cold, rain, and snow. She highly recommends the Bean boots, so I decided to do a little investigating.

I really like the look of these duck boots. They are a good combination of unique and just plain weird. But, I don’t know, there’s just something about the mixing of leather and rubber that works! I also just LOVE the classic color combinations. Bean boots come in tan/navy, navy/kelly green, red wine/black, and even navy/bright fuchsia! Of course, not every color combo is available for every shoe, but you get the point.

Let’s talk about the good and the bad of Bean boots.

The Good:

*These boots are American made. Manufacturing facilities are located in Brunswick, Maine. While L.L. Bean produces a variety of products, including totes, sweaters and coats, Bean boots remain the most iconic product of the brand. The assembly process and sewing of Bean boots is all done by hand. That makes these boots a work of art, in my opinion.

*Bean boots are comfortable and hold up extremely well. They are made for severe weather and can stand up to the elements whether it be a mountain trail or a city street. They can last for years, even with heavy wear.

The Bad (or at least, not as good):

* Sizing for Bean boots can be a bit tricky. They only come in whole sizes. How the boots will fit depends on the type of socks you wear. For example, when ordering the 8″ Women’s Bean Boots, the company recommends that whole sizes order one size down if wearing light or midweight socks. Half sizes should order 1 1/2 sizes down. If you plan on wearing heavyweight socks, the company recommends that whole sizes order your normal size, half sizes order the next size down. Whewww, that’s a lot to keep track of! If you are a woman with small feet, you may have some trouble finding the right fit. The smallest size available in women’s Bean boots is a size 6. That’s a problem for me, because I wear a size 6, and there is no smaller size in most Bean boots. That was the main reason that I decided to buy the Chelsea 7″ Bean boot. I was able to order it in my normal size. Just be alert when shopping for Bean boots. You have to read the description and make sure that you order the right size.

*If the boot you want is back-ordered, you could be waiting awhile. It is not uncommon to wait 3-4 months to have your order filled. But, I would argue that these boots are worth the wait!

Verdict:

I am obsessed with my new boots! They are so comfortable. Even with lightweight socks, there is no slipping on my heel. They will definitely fit snugger with heavier socks, but I will probably often wear them with regular cotton socks. Because that’s just how I roll. These boots are also cute. They will look equally good with skinny jeans, leggings, or even a casual dress. I love a hard-working boot!