What's the Deal with L.L. Bean?

[Telemark]

@Heart On My Sleeve

Probably in the near future, the most I’ll use the equipment for is a 3-4 day backpacking trip. No trekking in Nepal, but perhaps some American wilderness areas.

I’ve trekked in Nepal with LL Bean gear, it holds up just fine.

Bean’s makes (and rebrands) high quality gear. Much of it is targetted at around town and “image” but there is still a core of good gear, sold inexpensively, and backed by excellent customer service. Other brands have similar customer service (REI, EMS, and most of the gear manufacturers) but Bean’s is really about the best out there.

I still order some gear (mostly clothes) from them, but will always swing by the outlet stores for great deals on good gear. I have a mix of high-end brands (Marmot, Mountain Hardware, TNF, Pataguicci) and store brands (REI, EMS, Beans) and you probably won’t go wrong with any of them.

[bouv]

@friedo

A guy I knew ran away from boarding school near Portland, ME where there’s a big LL Bean outlet store. In the camping section they have a bunch of tents and sleeping bags on display. So he got nice and cozy inside one of the tents and hid there, sleeping while the store was closed.

When the morning crew came to open the store they found him and he was promptly arrested. :wally

For a second I was going to say this couldn’t happen, because their store never closes…ever. But then I re-read and you said outlet store in Portland, not “the” store in Freeport, which is the one I was referring to.

I love L.L.Bean. Always had good service, good quality. My favorite piece of clothing is an eight year old barn coat from them. The edges are frayed, buttons have fallen off and been resewn, and etc…but I still love the damn thing. I probably should send it in and get a new one.

[Zoe]

My 91 year old mother said she wanted “overalls.” I ordered them from L.L. Beans. She meant blue jeans and LL Bean took them back even though it had been several months.

I use their luggage – indestructable. But if an airline damages it anyway, LL Bean replaces it.

Their clothing is durable, well made and true to size.

I’ve passed the store several times, but there is always a line out the door.

But some of their clothes are made just a few miles from where I grew up and there is an outlet that I visit when I go back home. The labels are cut out, but I know their stuff. I can’t even find anything wrong with their rejected stuff – so they are really picky.

[Agrippina]

Ugh. Delivery from L.L. Bean.

—Otho, Beetlejuice

[Heart_On_My_Sleeve]

@Agrippina

Ugh. Delivery from L.L. Bean.

—Otho, Beetlejuice

Heh, I forgot about that!

[World_Eater]

@friedo

A guy I knew ran away from boarding school near Portland, ME where there’s a big LL Bean outlet store. In the camping section they have a bunch of tents and sleeping bags on display. So he got nice and cozy inside one of the tents and hid there, sleeping while the store was closed.

Lucky it wasn’t their main store in Maine, it never closes.

[Phlosphr]

Yep, the Maine store is thier home base. It’s in Freeport, and it is open 24/7/365. My wife and I used to go right before Christmas to enjoy the festivities. It was kinda fun being there with 1000 other people at 1 a.m. with a Taddy Porter in one hand and a piece of smoked salmon in the other whilst we walked around the camping section! 2 more weeks till this years trip.
Oh and as for the OP, their Gear is very good! I use it and North Face for my Winter gear.