I always liked the look of the traditional LL Bean boots. Part leather and part rubber and all history. The story that goes along with an LL Bean product only adds to the allure of a purchase from them. They back up their stuff without question and in today’s marketplace where we find ourselves tossing DVD players, computers and televisions in the garbage dump as opposed to actually fixing them, their warranty is value exemplified.
Initially I was attracted to their duck boots (Gumshoes). They are basically just the Traditional LL Boot cut down to size. I purchased a pair and wore them around the house. For whatever reason, they did not properly fit my feet. The hard leather collar seemed to hit my ankle at just the worst point. Disappointed I sent them back. But in exchange for the Gumshoes, I figured I would try the less traditional Storm Chaser Shoes. Four years later and I couldn’t be happier.
Immediately they fit perfectly. Every time I purchase a pair of shoes I’m always leery to actually wear them outside. My trepidation stems from a childhood where we never really had extra cash for shoes. You had a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of dress shoes and they better fit because if they were your size you wore them.
The Storm Chasers are a more of a jacked up tennis shoe than a boot. They fit like a tennis shoe, they perform like a tennis shoe and they kinda look like a tennis shoe. I’ve worn them to soccer games for my kids, hikes in the winter woods and to work with a pair of dress pants on particularly sloppy days. They have become my “go- to” winter shoe.
Now for the bad and hopefully good part. The sole is coming apart from the rubber at the seam. See it above.
I’m going to wear these for the rest of the winter season as they aren’t yet leaking and then send them back to LL Bean once the crappy weather finally ends. I’m anticipating a new pair of shoes or at the very least these will be repaired. I’ll keep you posted.