One boot to rule them all: L.L.Bean says they are the one true Bean Boot
“We are well aware of the various brands out there that are marketing boots similar to our Bean Boots,’’ said L.L. Bean.
While the Northeast’s snowfall got here sooner than we would’ve liked, L.L.Bean’s signature duck boots — aka the “Bean Boot,’’ aka the season’s most in-demand foot garb — certainly did not for most.
Year after year, Bean Boots are on backlog around the holidays, and, year after year, the backlog starts earlier. The company is just “tickled’’ that the boots are so popular, L.L.Bean said in October.
And the trend is only growing. Other name brands are are carrying duck boots that are similar to L.L.Bean’s signature style. Sperry has a pair for men and women, and J.Crew has a unisex pair made by LaCrosse footwear.
Are these brands hopping on the L.L.Bean bandwagon? Bean Boots have a prominent history, the make and style of the shoe dating back to 1912. But it’s still hard to say. Duck boots are duck boots, after all.
On J.Crew’s website, the LaCrosse duck boots are said to have been “inspired by a vintage pair of boots that our designers discovered in Japan.’’
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“We are well aware of the various brands out there that are marketing boots similar to our Bean Boots,’’ Mac McKeever, L.L.Bean spokesperson, said in an email to Boston.com. “As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery.’’
McKeever listed a variety of “elements that make the L.L.Bean Boots the original, authentic boot that is most in demand,’’ including how they’re hand-sewn in Maine.
“There are many boots out there similar to ours, but there is truly only one Bean Boot,’’ MacKeever added.
J.Crew did not respond to Boston.com’s request for comment.
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