ll bean hunting shoe/boot

[OH Osthaus]

I remember a thread a while back about the great service some of you got while getting the bottoms replaced, so I know some of them have been worn a long time. I have never owned a pair - thought about it - just never bought them.

but, I need something for wet woodcock covers. I generally go for leather moc toed styles, have gotten tired of getting two seasons out of gore-tex lined leather boots, before I end up with wet feet.

the last rubber bottom boots (generic) I had were prone to getting thorns through them ( and that is fun because you need to pull the thorn out slowly through the boot before you can get it off)

so - here are the questions -

is the rubber bottom tough enough for thorny covers?

and how is the wet ground mud traction with the chain pattern sole, and how soon does it wear smooth?