By now you’ve heard the news: L.L. Bean no longer offers a lifetime guarantee on its products (instead, returns will be accepted within a year, with exceptions evaluated on a case-by-case basis). While a few bad apples ruined it for the rest of us, there are plenty of other brands similar to L.L. Bean that do offer lifetime warranties. To help you find alternatives to those duck boots or backpacks, we went in search of dupes for some Bean favorites that’ll be guaranteed for life — within reason, of course. Note that we are not in any way suggesting a boycott of Bean (we’ll continue to shop there!); just letting you know what your options are.
Those famously cozy Wicked Good Bean moccasins are great, but why not consider something similar from Lands’ End, which are about half the price, and come with Lands’ End’s unconditional guarantee?
A very on-sale (and very guaranteed) backpack alternative to the Bean book pack.
It’s not flannel-lined like the Bean version, but this one from North Face is filled with a toasty down alternative.
This Lands’ End canvas tote is pretty much a cousin of the Bean tote.
Consider an alternative to the field jacket from the also New England–based Orvis (Vermont!).
While we love the fleece sweatshirt Bean makes, this one from gorpcore staple Patagonia might be even more iconic.
You knew we had to include these duck-boot alternatives to the classic.
Turtlenecks are an L.L. Bean (and cold-weather) staple, but our favorite version is Lands’ End’s.
The best alternative to the canvas duffel by L.L. Bean is the canvas duffel by Filson — the last word on weekend bags.