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SelfDERPecating t1_iw7xx7i wrote

Reply to comment by Bobwiththebigone in 22 years of hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, shoveling, & everyday use finally caught up to them: LaCrosse Snow Kings by jgacks

So who makes the best duck boots today? I've heard LL Bean has gone down in quality too after they stopped honoring their lifetime warranty.

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Healthy-Rise-2038 t1_iw87g40 wrote

IMHO if you want boots that are gonna last forever and have a rubber upper. Army surplus swedish army m59 boots will last forever... But drop a full size if you wanna invest. Cheap as chips but will last a lifetime.

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KittyVonMeowinstein t1_iw8z5ne wrote

Ironically I cant seem to find a swedish site selling them. I can only seem to find UK based ones

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Chief-Cheek-Clapper t1_iw99t2v wrote

Man those mickey mouse boots last forever ! Wish I still had mine. They were my grandpa's and probably 20 years in the seal finally broke.

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Snazzy21 t1_iw9i5ro wrote

What? LL Bean boots are still well made, and there is no difference between my newer ones and the pair my mother bought 35 years ago. I've used mine a lot, no problems.

The lifetime warranty stopped being a thing because of unscrupulous people buying old ones and then using them to get a new pair from LL.

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EnterByTheNarrowGate t1_iw9yn8b wrote

I wish they’d keep this up as long as you have original proof or purchase which isn’t hard nowadays as everything is electronic.

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Snazzy21 t1_iwa3v0j wrote

You can still get them repaired, and if there is an initial defect or failure you are covered by a 1 year warranty. So that seems pretty reasonable, especially sense you can get them repaired long after you bought them.

People on this sub use the lifetime warranties like a subscription to get free replacements indefinitely. It sucks paying money to replace stuff, but how is it fair to expect a replacement for something that failed from natural use? You should support a company if it made a product you liked

Using lifetime warranties to get a free replacement for something you got a full and fair lifetime of use out of is like asking McDonalds for free food because you got hungry again. (yes this will be an unpopular opinion)

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EnterByTheNarrowGate t1_iwa4vor wrote

We’ll it depends on what the lifetime warranty is warrantied for. If a company guarantees their product for lifetime use including normal wear and tear, then the consumer isn’t abusing the warranty if they request a replacement when the product breaks.

I think they should reinstate a warranty, but have it for more than a year. It shows that they actually stand behind their product. I think a 10 year warranty WITH original proof of purchase isn’t too much to ask for.

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Snazzy21 t1_iwa5rc2 wrote

A longer warranty would be reasonable

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Redflagsforever1991 t1_iwa4k78 wrote

The crackheads are even ruining boot warranties. Jesus Christ. Something’s gotta give. All i hear is stolen cats, stolen bikes. Junkies all over the street. And now I can’t even read a fucking boot review. Ughhhh 😞😞😞😞

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Pixielo t1_iwuqqbf wrote

So you really think "crackheads" are buying L.L. Bean duck boots?

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Redflagsforever1991 t1_iwzmu8u wrote

I guess I wasn’t clear. It’s the crackheads returning the 20 year old boots screwing up the warranty for the honest decent people. Not the people on this post. My humble apologies. My bad 😞

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Cockroach-Jones t1_iw8ywp8 wrote

Bean boots are still made in Maine though, fwiw. Quality doesn’t look any different to me.

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preacher_man_ t1_iw9aewo wrote

Same here. Mine are great.

Sometimes I think we just like to say “they aren’t what they used to be.” Romanticizing the past I guess

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Certain-Object3170 t1_iw80ja2 wrote

Just got some schnees Hunter II boots in a 13”. They are incredible. Much higher quality than the bean boots.

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benpetersen t1_iwaoih5 wrote

I love my Beartooth II's they are a spectacular all around hunting boot. They are some seriously nice boots, add some boot gators and you can walk in wet grass all day long

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CaptMerrillStubing t1_iw807fx wrote

I’ve had good luck with Sorel

Edit: lol I guess I'm lucky.

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changingtoflats t1_iw8aaac wrote

There is a pair of Sorels at the top of /r/BIFLFails right now unfortunately but I'm glad they're working out for you.

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Pringlecks t1_iw8mo2a wrote

It's gotta be the old sorels. New stuff is imported fast fashion junk

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Anon_Asperghers t1_iw8s2kk wrote

Old Sorels are way better and easy to come by and are easy to spot. I just look at the sole and insert. If it says “Made in Canada” I know they’re oldies and goodies. I haven’t bought my child a new pair of boots yet and spend maybe $10-$20.

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ObiFloppin t1_iwa02lb wrote

Just checked my sorels. Made in Vietnam lol. I guess I've had good luck though cuz they're still in great shape. I use them a moderate amount, while I shovel the drive way and take the dog out during the winter. They're definitely not getting super rough use, but no complaints from me!

Edit: I think they are 6 or 7 years old at this point (realized I didn't include their age in original comment, this is a guesstimate coming from someone with horrible memory)

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singularitybot t1_iwbkdwd wrote

If it comforts you Vietnam is probably the best place to buy your shoes from whole SEA.

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Skeletoregano t1_iw8lfn4 wrote

When I buy Sorel, within 18 months the sole or some area on the toe is cracked and water / snow seeps in. I've returned them before but the replacement has had the same issue. I cannot recommend Sorel (especially the men's NM1873-282) but glad you've had luck.

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twinpac t1_iw9ozv7 wrote

Sorel is hot garbage now. They crack at the flex point on the inner toe in no time.

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chzaplx t1_iw9qwl8 wrote

I have a pair of Sorels that I've worn probably 5 times in 10 years. Busted them out last time we got snow and the rubber on the front had totally cracked and all of it flaked off. They are otherwise in almost new shape but now won't keep water out.

Sorel told me "sorry, that just happens. You can buy some new ones". Local shoe repair place said there's nothing that can be done. I'm still hoping there's some paint on silicone I can use or something. Sucks to get less than a weeks total use out of them just because the weather is rarely that bad.

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JohnnyGoldwink t1_iwa3zka wrote

I’m a big fan of my muck boots so far (3 years of heavy use). Only time will tell.

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soil_nerd t1_iwa533b wrote

Xtratufs are pretty popular in coastal Alaska. They make an ankle high one too that is popular in town too. I have a pair and really like them.

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