Are LL Bean Boots Worth It? Iconic American Prep Boot Review

Things you need to know about an iconic American boot, and whether it's worth the price: https://gentl.mn/ll-bean-boots-review

#llbean #review #notsponsored

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VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: E.J. Daniels & Teresa C. Schneider
→ Camera: Chris Dummer
→ Editing: Jonathan Oster
→ Supervision: Preston Schlueter

IMAGE CREDITS:
→ Sporting Classics Daily
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→ The Boston Globe
→ Alex Grant
→ Outside Magazine
→ The Fire Wire
→ Lee's Lookbook
→ Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
→ LL Bean
→ The Manual

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00:00 LL Bean Boots Review Introduction

The classic LL Bean original Bean boots have been gracing the feet of outdoorsmen, preps, and hipsters for over 100 years. As classic style enthusiasts, we share an honest review of the famous boots in this installment of our ever-expanding “Is It Worth It?” series.

00:57 Bean Boots History

Believe it or not, the original Bean boots actually predate LL Bean as a company. Leon Leonwood Bean was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman living in Freeport, Maine. Bean originally called his new creation the “Maine Hunting Shoe,” although they were also known by the generic nickname “duck boots.”

For most of its history, LL Bean had kept in place its famous unlimited return policy, which allowed customers to return items at any time if they were dissatisfied. In 2018, however, Bean limited this policy to returns made within one year of purchase with proof of the original purchase. Bean claimed that they have been forced to change this policy because people had been abusing it.

Today, the LL Bean Company enjoys an annual revenue in excess of 1.5 billion, maintains over 50 store locations, and employs over 6,000 people.

04:00 LL Bean Ethos and Industry Position

Despite alterations to his famous satisfaction guarantee, LL Bean remains closely associated with an Americana aesthetic that is trustworthy and dependable. Relying on simple lines, neutral earth tones, and rugged silhouettes, especially in their boot lines. The emphasis on practical styling truly suited for nature originally cemented the popularity of LL Bean styling with outdoorsmen, hunters, and the sporting set.

Today, Bean boots are worn by a variety of men, from preps to hipsters to workmen to hikers, who all seem to be drawn to the very simple business model: simple styles with quality materials and versatile palettes.

05:21 LL Bean Boots Overview

Today, LL Bean offers a wide variety of specialty boots and shoes, but this review is only on the original.

The original LL Bean boot currently retails on the LL Bean website for $149. In both the classic tan and brown and basil and black. You can also get the shorter 6-inch model for $139.

07:00 Original Bean Boot Variations

Bean has released two basic variations on their original boot. The Gore-Tex/Thinsulate model is designed to be even more water-resistant and insulated without increasing weight.

The other variation is intended for cold weather use and features a shearling-lined upper section with 200-gram PrimaLoft insulation in the lower portion. The leather on this model has also been tumbled for a more broken-in, comfortable feel.

07:39 Our Assessment: The Original Boot
08:52 Our Assessment: The Shearling-Lined Boot

Overall, while this boot variety is marketed for the extreme cold, we do not find it useful for wear in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

10:23 Are They Worth It?

Bean boots are worth it if you wear them in transitional seasons or have mild winters, you’re primarily interested in a boot for wet environments, you can integrate the boot into your larger personal style, or you can utilize it as a commuter boot.

12:36 Outfit Rundown