Posted on 12/06/2014 10:41:37 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
A backlog of 60,000 boot orders could grow to 100,000 by month's end, and the company is in the process of hiring 100 workers and purchasing additional equipment to catch up with demand.
"We just can't make enough of them," said Tom Armstrong, L.L. Bean's chief merchandising officer.
The rubber-bottomed, leather-topped "duck boot" has seen sales grow from fewer than 100,000 a decade ago to about 450,000 this year. Next year, the number is expected to top 500,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
I have a pair of Lowa’s.
Had mine for 12 years, great product.
I like my Meindl’s from Cabela’s.
They must mean the “Maine Hunting Shoe” but that’s not PC nowadays.
I’ve had a pair of them for 25 years now, had them resoled 4 times. Also have a pair of Sorel types with the wool liners for 15 years.
I have a pair. They’re great, and a puppy magnet, so I have to keep an eye on them. :)
Had the shoes in my post-college preppie days. Considering buying some more.
I like to walk around barefoot in the winter, in honor of the patriots at Valley Forge. (nt)
I got mine ..... low tops
a little over sized and I wish there was an option other than leather laces
Nothing but Danners for me.
LOL.
They actually aren’t a very comfortable boot. The seam where the rubber meets the leather uppers will cut your ankle if you don’t wear thicker socks and your feet will sweat like mad in them. I wear a pair of thick wool socks and polypropylene wicking sucks under them. You need to size them accordingly for that.
Their popularity now sounds like a fashion fad by the hipsters. I’m glad to see the demand for them increasing though and that they have kept production here. They need to keep an eye on QC though during these times.
Always a great problem for a business owner when his products fly off the shelves and can’t meet demand fast enough for his consumers. Yeah, don’t you wish we could get back to those good times for American business and consumerism before liberalism destroyed it?
Got my Maine Hunting Shoes in the early 70s. Kept them in good shape and just use them when it’s really appropriate. I have changed the laces a few times. Figure they’ll last until I die.
They were extremely popular in my high school days (Cheshire, CT). Very useful in the mush grounds on the campus during the rainy season.
Now, they're so popular, they're not in the catalog. The available ones are listed online, but it's best to call the rep.....and don't forget tell them you're only buying them because they're made in the USA. I just ordered a pair of rain boots, and there were only a few colors available in my size.
FWIW, complainers to LL Bean about not having enough merchandise made in the USA is giving them fits. I also refuse to buy anything from them made in China or anything that can now be fourd of equal or better than their quality elsewhere....like 100% cotton jeans, sweatshirts, and wool winter hats.
I agree. I have a pair from the 1980s. I don’t know why I haven’t tossed them. Uncomfortable and cold.
Maybe some hipster on eBay will want them.
I prefer the Danner Ft. Lewis Go-Devil boots.
Ditto. Was introduced to them in the army, have never bought anything but.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.