Maine gear giant collaborates with small backpack brand for special-edition boots 

By Taylor Smith 

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Bean Boot is one of the most iconic pieces of active footwear. Leon Leonwood Bean created the leather and rubber boots in 1911 to combat the problem of cold, wet feet during Maine hunting trips. In 1912, the Bean Boot (originally called the Maine Hunting Shoe) went on sale under the new company name, L.L. Bean. 

As technology and exercise science have advanced, winter boots and hiking shoes have undergone many changes. Grippy rubber treads, molded midsoles, and synthetic uppers are just a few of the recent adaptations. In contrast, the Bean Boot has remained largely the same as when it originally hit the shelves. 

For the first time, L.L. Bean has invited another company into its design room to create a special-edition version of the Bean Boot. Flowfold (https://www.flowfold.com), a small Maine-based manufacturer of sailcloth wallets and backpacks, worked with L.L. Bean to formulate the Flowfold L.L. Bean Collab Boot for $139 (https://bit.ly/2NyBuUY). According to its website, “These small batch duck boots combine water-resistant protection of rubber bottom boots with the exceptionally tough sailcloth material used by Flowfold in their super-durable bags and wallets.” 

The product still retains the heritage sensibility of the L.L. Bean brand and is manufactured in Maine, but now includes more weatherproofing than the original boot, along with a lighter frame. 

We’re calling this new collaboration a winner.