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L.L.Bean’s Iconic Boot Took Over a Century to Look This Badass.

This premium leather version of the Bean Boots is part of the elevated Signature collection.

Close-up of a black leather boot with a textured surface, featuring yellow-brown laces threaded through metal eyelets. The boot has a thick, orange rubber sole with a rugged tread pattern. The stitching and construction details are visible, highlighting the boot's durability.L.L.Bean
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By Brad Lanphear

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Few products have the clout and heritage of L.L.Bean’s Maine Hunting Shoe, commonly known today as the Bean Boot.

The beloved Maine outfitter doesn’t need to change a thing to make its legendary footwear stylish and respectable, but that doesn’t stop its design team from tinkering with different colors and materials.

Pair of black leather duck boots with tan rubber soles and tan laces, placed on a rustic metal stool. The boots have a high ankle design and visible stitching around the sole.
The Signature Bean Boots in Cruiser Leather have a pebbled full-grain leather upper.
L.L.Bean

Most Bean Boot iterations offer alternatives for different environments and seasons or fresh looks for long-time wearers. However, on rare occasions, a version hits so hard that it overshadows the standard tan and brown and becomes one for the ages.

L.L.Bean’s Fall 2025 collection is just such an occasion, presenting the Signature Bean Boots in Cruiser Leather. This mostly blacked-out take on the legendary all-terrain footwear looks badass and is made with a higher-quality leather than the standard version.

Black leather and rubber Bean Boots with tan soles and yellow laces, worn with blue jeans, shown from the back on a wooden floor.
The Signature Bean Boots in Cruiser Leather have an 11-inch ankle height.
L.L.Bean

These revamped Bean Boots are part of L.L. Bean’s Signature collection, established in 2010. The elevated sub-brand draws design inspiration from the brand’s mid-century archive and relies on heritage materials like wool, cotton, waxed canvas and leather.

It’s the closest thing the brand does in-house to the much-hyped Todd Snyder x L.L.Bean collaboration series.

A premium upper

The Signature Bean Boot in Cruiser Leather uses a pebbled full-grain leather upper that is more flexible and doesn’t require a breaking-in period like the standard version.

Black leather duck boot with a high ankle, featuring orange-brown laces threaded through metal eyelets. The boot has a textured rubber sole and toe cap in a matching orange-brown color, with visible stitching along the leather upper. The tongue displays an embossed logo.
The Signature Bean Boot in Cruiser Leather has a back stay for ankle support.
L.L.Bean

The design is more like the retro Maine Hunting Shoe, a revival of the original 1917 design, than the standard Bean Boot. Both boots have a back stay — an exterior leather panel that adds ankle support, and this Signature version has an additional panel at the upper ankle for even more support.

Where the standard Bean Boot measures eight inches from the heel and the Maine Hunting Shoe measures ten, this elevated version is 11 inches from the heel to the top. Like all Bean Boots, the tongue gusset extends to the top lace eyelet.

Black duck boot with a rubberized, ridged toe and sole, featuring tan and black striped laces threaded through metal eyelets, viewed from above against a green background.
The tongue gusset extends to the top of the boot to help keep moisture out.
L.L.Bean

The only difference on the inside of this boot is the custom L.L.Bean Signature insole, which is decorated with vintage-inspired artwork. Otherwise, it is the same dual-density insert found in all other Bean Boots.

Same renowned construction

The lower portion of the Signature Bean Boot in Cruiser Leather is the same as most other bean boots, only colored black and amber. And that’s a good thing.

Black leather Bean Boots by L.L. Bean with a tan rubber sole, shown from the back. The boots have visible stitching and a rectangular label near the heel with the text "Bean Boots By L.L. Bean®" in tan on a black background.
The Bean Boots have been replicated countless times over, but never duplicated.
L.L.Bean

The Bean Boot is the granddaddy of all duck boots. The secret to this rugged footwear’s success is the triple-needle stitching that secures the leather upper to the rubber vamp, creating a watertight seal.

By stitching the boot together, the leather section is repairable and reusable. When the tread wears off or the sole gets a hole, L.L.Bean will replace the entire rubber section if you ship the boots back to the factory in Maine.

Black leather duck boots with orange rubber soles and matching orange laces. The boots have a textured rubber toe and sole for grip, and metal eyelets for the laces. The stitching is visible along the seams, and there is a small orange logo patch on the heel.
The Signature Bean Boot in Cruiser Leather has standard yellow and brown laces.
L.L.Bean

L.L. Bean doesn’t do much in black, which accounts for most of this boot’s appeal. This black-and-tan version of the iconic Bean Boots is the best-looking iteration the company has produced in years because the color, which would be standard for most other brands, is refreshing.

Availability and price

The L.L.Bean Signature Bean Boot in Cruiser Leather is available now from L.L.Bean for $249.

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.

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