Columbia Bugaboot III vs L.L.Bean Bean Boots

Buy the Columbia Bugaboot III for deep cold, slush and icy winter commutes. Buy the L.L.Bean Bean Boots for wet, muddy, mild-weather wear and a classic look you can resole. The Bugaboot III has more winter engineering: a seam-sealed Omni-Tech membrane, 200g insulation, a molded shell and an Omni-Grip sole. The Bean Boot is simpler and lighter in feel, with full-grain leather, shearling lining and a chain-tread rubber bottom. Owners rate the Bugaboot III well at 4 out of 5 across 389 ratings; the Bean Boot's reputation rests on decades of use and its resoling service.

• Choose the Columbia Bugaboot III if you face real winter cold, packed snow and icy sidewalks and want insulation plus a grippy winter sole.
• Choose the L.L.Bean Bean Boots if your worst conditions are rain, mud and wet grass and you want a boot that can be resoled and worn for years.