The Story of the Original L.L.Bean Boot
The first-edition Maine Hunting Shoe, created in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean
The L.L. Bean Bean Boot, originally known as the Maine Hunting Shoe, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. It’s one of the most iconic pieces of American outdoor gear and a lasting symbol of rugged craftsmanship and New England practicality.
Origins (1911–1912)
In 1911, Leon Leonwood Bean, an avid hunter and fisherman from Freeport, Maine, returned from a hunting trip with wet, cold feet. Frustrated with the inadequacy of existing footwear for outdoor conditions, he had a simple but ingenious idea: combine the waterproof rubber bottom of a rain boot with the supportive leather upper of a traditional work boot.
A letter from Babe Ruth, friend and customer of L. L.
By 1912, Bean had designed a prototype and founded L.L. Bean, launching his business with a mail-order catalog sent to fellow outdoorsmen. The original product was called the Maine Hunting Shoe and sold for $3.50.
The first-edition Maine Hunting Shoe, created in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean
A Rocky Start
The first batch of 100 boots was made with rubber bottoms sourced from a local cobbler. Unfortunately, 90 of them failed—the rubber split or separated from the leather. Bean responded quickly, refunding every customer and using the feedback to improve the design.
He then partnered with the United States Rubber Company (later Uniroyal) to produce better rubber soles, and the new and improved boots were a success.
Growth and Icon Status
Over the decades, the boot evolved in small ways—better stitching, improved soles, and more sizes—but the overall design remained unchanged. The boot became a favorite of hunters, hikers, and outdoors enthusiasts across the country.
In the 1970s–80s, as outdoor lifestyle brands grew in popularity, the boot gained a cult following among preppy and college fashion circles, especially in the Northeast.
The triple-stitch is a trademark of L.L.Bean Boots.
By the 2010s, the Bean Boot had become a fashion icon, ironically embraced by urban hipsters and fashionistas for its vintage appeal. This unexpected trend led to backorders and waitlists, sometimes stretching for months.
Made in Maine
One of the most notable aspects of the Bean Boot is that it is still handcrafted in Maine, at the company’s Brunswick and Lewiston factories. Each pair is made by skilled bootmakers, using many of the same methods as in 1912. L.L. Bean reportedly turns out hundreds of thousands of pairs a year, and demand has remained strong through boom-and-bust fashion cycles.
Legacy
The L.L. Bean Bean Boot represents more than a product—it’s a story of innovation, resilience, and Yankee ingenuity. It's:
Over 110 years old
Still made in the USA
Unchanged in design yet timeless in appeal
A symbol of durability and practicality, now layered with cultural cachet
