Posted on 03/29/2016 11:03:43 AM PDT by C19fan
Come close. They won't bite though some have been gnawed upon, chewed, and bitten themselves (mostly by labs and golden retrievers, if social media is the source). Weirdly, the weathered boots piled into a bin, located in a far-off corner of the factory, don't smell so bad either. It's hard not to want to touch them, to trace their wrinkles. Each boot carries its own landscape of dings and dust, faded in its own peculiar shade, with its own particular history.
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
I never owned a pair, but my daughters do. Seems to be a fashion requirement at school.
Glad to see these are still made in the USA. it would be a temptation to try to save 10-20% to make these in China, but that short term gain would ultimately destroy the brand. Not because China would have bad quality - but that once they moved, LL Bean will have destroyed its character and soul, and the brand would reflect it before too long.
Yes, but do they eat quiche?
I got a pair of LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoes around 1970. They’ve gone hiking all around the world. Still wear them.
I’ve had a pair of the “Maine Hunting Shoe” or the PC version “Bean Boots” for over 25 years. About 3 soul replacements later. Having said that, they really aren’t a very good design by today’s standards.
I have to wear them with extra thick socks to avoid cutting my ankles where the rubber and upper meet. You’re feet also sweat like a pig in them.
Their Sorel type version with the wool felt liners are gangbusters in the snow or for ice fishing. Have a pair of those too.
Your wife must love you with those in the house. LOL
And NEVER put your foot back into your boot if you have taken it out of the boot, walked around a little and put the boot back on your foot without changing socks.
Because your boot becomes a petre dish with the warmth and moisture and the cleanest you make your foot, the longer your boot will stay fresh and not stink.
Well, I'm generally in a hurry so I do eat very quiche.
I can’t imagine having to take the time to put on and take off a pair of lace-up boots. There are still some custom boot makers around in the American southwest who make boots that will last a lifetime. For working in a pasture, I wear simple wolverine high top steel toe wellingtons. Easy on. easy off and tough.
They don't harm our concrete floors, its a man's house dontcha know... ;0)
Also cotton socks do the trick for me. Synthetics seem to keep the foot from "breathing" IMHO.
I have to be honest. I am a shoe and boot aficionado. I had the issue of my feet continuing to grow until I was in my thirties and my feet being very narrow — for 30 years I wore an A.
Because of that, easily found cheap shoes and boots did not cut it for comfort.
Bean makes some good stuff but Red Wing, Vasque and Zamberlan have captured a lot of my income as has Allen-Edmunds in shoes. Keen in sandals along with Teva and because my feet started to spread and my arch drop I have had shoe size changes my whole life requiring new spending.
I do keep them for fifteen to twenty years in some cases, but it is truly crazy how much I spent on shoes for a guy.
Also lay your boots on their sides after you take them off. The air can circulate much better through them and dries them out faster and more thoroughly.
My father wore them.
I’ve loved Red Wings over the years especially their “Red” work boots but they have simply become far too expensive at over 200 bucks a pair now for a boot that at best is going to last me about 18 months to two years.
The soul attachment also precludes local shoe repair as they have to be sent back to the factory for that.
I like my rubber-leather combo winter boots but, like you, have problems where the two materials interface. The stitching and overlapping edge just cut the ankles something fierce. I’ve tried duct tape and other linings but they just got to be too much trouble to wear and now only get brought out once in a while for deep snow.
I have a pair of Rockports that I have had for 18 years or so. Still fit great though they need to be resoled. A good pair of shoes / boots cant be beat. Well worth the investment of $120.
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