![]() We guarantee them to give perfect satisfaction in every way."īy the 1980s, the boots were iconic enough (with a certain demographic) that Lisa Birnbach made them a centerpiece of the tongue-in-cheek Official Preppy Handbook - see here and here, for example. The Maine Hunting Shoe is designed by a hunter who has tramped the Maine woods for the last 18 years. In 1912, he obtained a mailing list of nonresident Maine hunting license holders and prepared a three-page flyer that boldly proclaimed, "You cannot expect success hunting deer or moose if your feet are not properly dressed. began his business by working out of the basement of his brother's apparel shop. enlisted a local cobbler to stitch leather uppers to workmen's rubber boots, creating a comfortable, functional boot for exploring the Maine woods. In 1911, an avid outdoorsman named Leon Leonwood Bean returned from a hunting trip with cold, damp feet and a revolutionary idea. The Bangor Daily News gives one take on the history here, and here's another from Gizmodo. The origins of the Bean boot are essentially the origins of the company. I don't know - maybe you have to have grown up in a place where everyone wore them. They aren't sleek, and when you wear them, they really stand out. I realize these aren't everyone's cup of tea, but for me, the attraction is a direct function of their utility. Since their deep roots in American menswear is part of the reason I love Bean Boots, I wanted to start there (Section I below) I also put together an overview of options and a buying guide (Section II). This is an update and extension to a guide I put together last fall, and as always, suggestions, revisions and corrections are welcome! Bean’s rock solid lifetime guarantee.Love 'em or hate 'em, we're solidly into Bean Boot season in most of the US. With some ragwool socks we’re ready prepared for whatever weather changing seasons throw at us.Įditor’s Note: Gum Shoes can also be refurbished should you ever wear them out, an excellent feature on the process can be found here, making their already low price that much more attractive. Our call was answered promptly by a woman in a call center (they have three…all in Maine), who talked us through sizing, and told us to wear them inside, outside, however we would use them and if we didn’t like them call back they’d switch the size. We took them up on the offer, and called the toll free number. Our Gum Shoes came with a card describing how to check the fit, and encouraging you to call customer service if you’re having trouble. You’re recommended to give yourself a thumbs-width space in the boots with socks on, allowing air to circulate for better insulation, and they only come in whole sizes. ![]() One tricky issue with the Bean Boots in general is sizing. They look good with jeans, cords, or even to save your dress shoes from a messy commute. The sole has a steel shank to support the rubber bottoms and a chainlink pattern on the soles that provided good grip. ![]() Unlike a set of rubber rain boots, we found the Gum Shoes didn’t make our feet sweat horrendously, a very pleasant surprise. Not to say we don’t like the full Bean Boots, we do, the Gum Shoe just lends to daily life a little better. It’s the perfect height to protect your feet from puddles, slush, snow, or just a cold day, without requiring you to lace up a big set of boots. The Gum Shoe we tested is a short version of the iconic Bean Boots, looking more like a Chukka. Every pair of Bean Boots is still made one pair at a time in the great state of Maine. Sold since 1912, we’re hardly the first to designate a pair of Bean Boots as our CWS (crappy weather shoe). Bean’s Gum Shoes and, after said testing, they have solidified themselves as our go-to crappy weather shoes. ![]() During last few rain storms here, we’ve been demoing L.L. As this happens, the boat shoes and sandals we’ve been rocking all summer will no longer cut it. It’s only a matter of time before winter arrives. The weather is turning quickly here in the Northeast.
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