L.L. Bean was established in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean and their home office is in Freeport, Maine. L.L. Bean isn’t an unfamiliar name and they make everything from clothing to recreational equipment. They have always been known for their exceptional customer service and a lifetime guarantee on their products. Unfortunately, they don’t offer this guarantee on their products anymore but do offer a 1-year purchase condition guarantee.
If this is upsetting to you, there’s no need to worry. There are many brands very similar to L.L. Bean that can offer a lifetime guarantee or even a generous warranty or satisfaction guarantee. This article will go over the top 10 L.L. Bean alternatives
Brands Similar to L.L. Bean
1.The North Face
The North Face, as many may or may not know, is another name for the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain. The North Face company began in 1996 when two hiking enthusiasts wanted to follow their passions and put together a small mountaineering retail store. They named it The North Face and moved to the other side of the San Francisco Bay and began to design and manufacture its own brand of technical mountaineering apparel and equipment.
In the 1990s they broadened the outdoor world to help exploring athletes. They debuted their Tekware sportswear. This was an innovative collection of rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, trail running, and outdoor apparel and equipment. Additionally, it launched a line of trekking and trail-running shoes. 50-years after they opened, they now deliver an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear that all have a lifetime guarantee. They certainly have some of the warmest high-quality apparel we’ve ever encountered.
2.Orvis
Orvis was founded in Manchester, Vermont in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis. The store originally offered fly-fishing equipment and was known for its superior customer service. Now, they are a world leader in fly fishing, but they also offer women’s sportswear, fine gifts, luggage, travel accessories, and home furnishings. Not only that, but they offer dog beds, innovative dog products, shotguns, gear, and technical apparel for wingshooting and sporting clays.
Their culture of “We Love Dogs” is an inspiration to them to be a central source of education and information for dog lovers across the globe. The company has been privately owned by the Perkins family since 1965 and now headquartered in Southwest Vermont with major operations in Roanoke, Virginia and the United Kingdom. Today, they have 1,500 US employees and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all products. They believe in the preservation of natural resources and leaving a campsite better than you found it.
3.Timberland
Timberland started in 1952 when founder Nathan Swartz bought a half-interest in the Abington Shoe Company. He started as an apprentice after immigrating to the United States and bought out his partner and welcomed his sons to the business. In 1973, they created their original waterproof boots called the “Timberland”. They’re rugged, well-crafted, and innovative. These boots were what defined their brand. It was so groundbreaking that they renamed the company after the boots.
The company strongly believes in the power of thriving communities to excel in global change with one voice. In 1993 they adopted the environmental ethics platform called Ceres and in 1997 they held their first company-wide Earth Day employee volunteer event and haven’t missed a year since. Much like L.L. Bean, Timberland offers winter items, boots, shoes, and a generous warranty & satisfaction guarantee.
4.Lands’ End
Land’s End was started in 1963 by Gary Comer selling sailboat equipment for racing sailors. There was a storefront shop opened in Chicago’s tannery district and the mail-order business operated out of the basement. The company’s main headquarters is in Dodgeville, Wisconsin and sells everything from sailing supplies to apparel.
Lands’ End makes Sunday comfort part of your everyday lifestyle. They use only soft, strong fabrics to make versatile layers for maximum comfort. Their apparel keeps you dry and warm in the worst elements and offers UPS 50 protection that keeps you safe from the harmful rays of the sun. This isn’t specific to winter apparel either. It goes for all seasons. They offer a 90-day return policy if you aren’t happy with your product.
5.Cabela’s
Cabela’s is a fantastic alternative to Lands’ End for many reasons. They offer a wide range of sporting goods and apparel with a generous warranty on everything. The company began in 1961 when Dick Cabela began filling fishing fly mail orders with his wife from their home in Chappell, Nebraska. He convinced his brother to join the company and built the foundation as a catalog business, producing almost 50 catalogs annually.
In 2017, Cabela’s teamed up with the ever-so-popular Bass Pro Shops to become North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Today, they use their shared values to bring customers amazing retail experiences, unmatched equipment manufacturing, and world-class resort destinations. They offer a warranty for 60-days of purchase. It’s not a lifetime warranty like L.L.Bean, but their products are made to last.
6. J. Crew
Crew was founded in 1974 by Mitchell Cinader and Saul Charles. They began as a store that conducted business as a Popular Club Plan and sold affordable women’s clothing marketed primarily through in-home demonstrations. In the 1980s, companies such as Lands’ End, Talbots, and L.L. Bean began to expand, focusing on leisurewear for upper-middle-class customers. Their company changed the name to J. Crew, but failed to sell their Club Plan, so they opened their first retail store in South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan.
Today, they make timeless clothing that lasts a lifetime. They have a firm belief that the distinct heritage pairs perfectly with modern design and fabric technology. They also believe in looking like a million dollars without spending it. Additionally, they know that they have a responsibility to the planet and to humanity to choose eco-friendly fabrics to support their factory workers without compromise. They only offer a 30-day warranty, but they state that their products last a lifetime.
7.Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer began in 1920 stringing tennis rackets inside of somebody’s gun shop. It wasn’t until a year after that that Eddie Bauer opened his own space known as “Bauer’s Sport Shop” that soon became the centerpiece of the Seattle outdoor industry. He began “Eddie Bauer Tackle Makers” and later used the feathers in his badminton shuttlecocks. The feather and down he used ultimately defined the brand when he introduced the first goose down jacket patented in America.
Since the release of his first goose-down jacket, he has created many other staple products that made it the brand it is today. In 1958, Eddie Bauer outfitted the first ascent of Gasherbrum I, the world’s eleventh highest peak. After that, they were well-known for their products being used for climbing some of the coldest and highest mountain peaks. They recently celebrated 100 years of product innovation in 2020. Even though all of their products are built to last like L.L. Bean products, they do offer a 1-year warranty if the product isn’t up to your standards.
8.Patagonia
Patagonia was founded in 1957 by rock climber Yvon Chouinard. They carry a lot of similar products as L.L. Bean and is one of the world’s most well-regarded brands among outdoor enthusiasts. They are firm believers that the best products rest on function, repairability, and durability. They limit ecological impacts by creating goods that last for generations or that can be recycled so the materials remain in use.
They work steadily to change their business practices to help reduce unnecessary harm to the planet. They embrace risk and act to protect and restore the stability, integrity, and beauty of the web of life. They guarantee everything they make and everything they make has an impact on people and the planet. If you need to return anything after a year of original purchase, you will be granted store credit, there is no set limit on a return. This alone makes them one of the best alternatives to L.L. Bean.
9.Yeti
Yeti was founded in 2006 and began as just YETI Coolers. They strived to create a cooler that could be used for everyday activities. Their coolers were built for the serious outdoor enthusiast rather than for the mass-discount retailers. They’re some of the most durable coolers on the market. Even though they began as a cooler manufacturer, they quickly expanded into other areas such as apparel, coffee mugs, pet merchandise, and more.
YETI may not be exactly like L.L.Bean, but they do sell similar items. Even though they claim their products will last a lifetime, they do offer a few warranties depending on the product. They offer a 3-year and a 5-year warranty, even on discontinued or limited edition products. If it’s discontinued or limited edition, they will make every effort to replace it but cannot guarantee their availability.
10.Filson
Filson was established in 1897 and is now a leading outfitter and manufacturer of unfailing goods for outdoor enthusiasts. They offer unmatched reliability and are favored among anglers, explorers, engineers, hunters, or anybody who refuses to stay indoors. They are headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and are well-known for making products from fabrics such as heavyweight Tin Cloth and Mackinaw Wool. They use only the highest quality and most durable materials for reliable apparel and accessories.
They guarantee every item made by Filson. They believe in their products and stand by the quality of workmanship, craftsmanship, and materials in each one. They offer a lifetime guarantee of each item against failure or damage in its intended use. It doesn’t cover general wear and damage caused by accident or using the item for other than its intended purpose. However, it’s still a great warranty and an ideal alternative to L.L.Bean.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps you just don’t appreciate what L.L.Bean has to offer anymore, maybe you find their items too pricey. If this is the case, any of the companies mentioned in this article are ideal alternatives to L.L.Bean. Honestly, we highly suggest The North Face or Filson as they are the only companies that offer a lifetime guarantee on their products. These are highly reputable brands that use the highest-quality materials in their products while remaining eco-friendly.