These Iconic L.L.Bean Boots Rarely Go on Sale, but You Can Get Them for $40 Off Right Now
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Long before brands like Patagonia and The North Face defined the outdoor look, L.L.Bean was making hardworking gear for hunting and outdoor recreation. L.L.Bean’s clothes are made to withstand snowy, cold Maine winters, and along with its convenient boat and tote canvas bag, the brand’s most iconic product is the Bean boots.
First developed in 1912, L.L.Bean’s Bean Boots are such a winter staple, year after year, that they don’t often go on sale. And since they’re made by hand in small batches, they tend to sell out. But right now, Zappos has these classic boots in stock in a full run of sizes for 27% off. Typically $149, they’re $109 right now. That’s $40 off an already great value.
L.L.Bean Bean Boots, $109 (was $149) at Zappos 
Their icon status belies the fact that they’re a strange-looking shoe. The rubber vamp stitched to a leather shaft gives the resemblance of a galosh that’s partway through swallowing a work boot. That distinctive look has become stylish in its own right, and Bean boots are oft-imitated under the more generic name, duck boot.
Sure, the odd look is part of the boot’s charm, but it’s really all about practicality. The leather shaft allows for flexibility and comfort, while the rubber outsole and vamp allow you to trudge through light snow without your feet getting wet. The two parts are joined by a substantial triple stitch, an early innovation in the development of these boots that added durability over the original single stitch.
Finding your fit is the trickiest part of choosing Bean boots. Half sizes are not offered, and the fit varies depending on the kind of socks you’re wearing. With light or midweight socks, L.L.Bean recommends that whole sizes order one size down and half sizes order one and a half sizes down. If you’re wearing heavy socks, you can take your normal size or go down half a size, if you wear half sizes. Because of their lack of insulation, Bean boots are a more versatile shoe for shoulder seasons or milder winters.
Shoppers are impressed with the boots’ durability. One wrote that they were on their second pair after wearing a hole in their original pair, which was otherwise in “darned good shape for being 32 years old.” Another wrote that the boots were “Well-made, durable and good-looking.”
Shoppers also appreciated the comfort, with one writing “The boots are more comfortable and lighter than the rubber/neoprene knee boots.” Another wrote, “They need a little bit of breaking in, but once they are, they’re very comfortable.”
L.L.Bean Bean Boots would typically sell out long before they go on sale, but right now, you can get them for $40 off. Act fast, before Zappos corrects whatever clerical error allowed this to happen.
