photo from reddit
L.L. Bean Boots
by L.L. Bean
11 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Jan 2025
Waterproof leather-and-rubber duck boots made in Maine, USA, designed for wet and snowy conditions.
Added Jul 5, 2026, Updated Jul 6, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
Long associated with durability and a strong repair program — L.L. Bean will re-sole or re-leather worn boots for around $40, often replacing laces and insoles too. Owners report 6-13+ years of hard winter use, though several note recent-production quality has slipped (thinner laces, deteriorating sole glue) and the once no-questions-asked lifetime warranty has been scaled back.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as November 2025
Show 11 more mentions
- 5r/BuyItForLife comment
My Bean waxed canvas top duck boots will most certainly outlive me.
- 4r/BuyItForLife comment
Was a great BIFL company... Now they have really limited the lifetime warranty.
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
Still looking new
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
I'm so disappointed to learn that the old laces are better than new
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
This pair is terrible. They're 18 months old... the (VERY thin) laces are fraying, the sole glue has deteriorated, and they're still incredibly uncomfortable.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
I've gone through at least 3 pairs... They've rarely lasted a full winter let alone more than one.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
I have the shearling lined ones, only about 6 years on them but they basically look new still.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I bought mine in 2013... More than a decade later and they're even better than when I first got them
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
L.L. Bean Boots
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Still regret buying mine without the liner, makes my feet bleed.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Love the boots but hate the lengths you have to go to to get one that's actually waterproof
Purchased my first pair of LL Bean boots (left) 13 years ago, in 2012. Wore them through every winter since then.
You can get them re-soled by Bean.
Bought my first and only pair in 2016. They're still holding up today... They're awesome boots. Completely waterproof too.
I just sent my 11 year old pair in to get them fixed... It was about $40 I want to say, so the rare time when it is typically cheaper to fix vs get a new pair
Bean boots I've had for over 10 years
I've been holding off on some for a while now and this pushed me over the edge. Just bought my first pair.