T: Based on title alone, I know that I might get kicked out of the men’s blog-o-sphere clubhouse for writing this article.  Although I love the original Bean Boot (I own a pair), the L.L. Bean duck boot isn’t the only winter time option out there.  Just to prove to everyone that I do indeed love L.L. Bean boots, our write up on them can be found here.  

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail saying that the L.L. Bean boot that he wanted was out of stock until February.  So, he began to shop around to find something else (and maybe a little cheaper) to wear this winter.  Because I’m a good friend (and because I write this little blog), I decided to help him look around.  

It turns out that L.L. Bean isn’t the only company who makes classic looking duck boots.  Apparently Lands’ End does the same thing for 15 dollars less.  Check them here (and see them to the right). 

Sorel also makes some duck-style boots (with rubber bottom and leather uppers).  From what I hear, they are good for places that get tons of snow and the look it.  They run about 100 dollars.  You can find them on Zappos here.  (see below).

In the end, my friend ended up picking up a pair of boots from Utah-based Baffin.  The boots are easy slip on and off and they cost only 60 dollars.  The boots have a steel shank in the foot and seem like they will get the job done.  Aside from the classic Bean boots, I think that they are a lot better looking than the other challengers out there.   See them below and buy them here. 

P.S. L.L. Bean Signature now makes a plethera of duck boot options as well.  Check them out here. 

T: We have done a lot of posts lately on essentials that every man should own.  I think that these posts are one of the best parts of what we do here.  Every guy should own a few items that are versatile and look good on everybody. 

So, if I was forced to pick out a few pairs of casual shoes to wear for the rest of my life, I would pick one pair for each season.  And the winners are:

Spring: Canvas Shoes—the simpler the better.  This means that they should not look like they came out of a Sci-Fi film or look like something Turtle from Entourage would wear.  And for the love of all things good and holy, they should also not be running shoes. 

There are many great options but you shouldn’t be paying north of 100 dollars for any of them.  Personally, I like Chucks and Jack Purcells (both by Converse).  Seevees and Vans Authentics are also great options.  I also really like the Rod Laver model by Adidas (below). 

Summer: Boat Shoes—there is no excuse for wearing flip-flops in the summer and showing everyone your toes (even if you get weekly pedicures like Andrew). 

To see our old post on boat shoes, click here.

Fall: Desert Boots—honestly the most versatile shoe that I own—trust me.  Good enough for Steve McQueen is good enough for me.  Check out our first write up on them here.  

Winter: Work Boots or Bean Boots (depending on the climate where you live and the level of preppy-ness of your upbringing).  Work Boots are better for wearing around in the sleet and slush of a big city or just walking around.  On the other hand, Bean Boots are good for the snow that tends to pile up in more rural areas and college campuses. 

If you live in a place where it never snows, pick up rain boots instead (or just spend all your time at the beach in your flip flops for all I care).

To see our article on work boots (above, left ), click here.  If you think you might dig Bean boots (above, right), look here. 

You could wear either pair of boots in snow and slush but the Bean boots are waterproof.  Unfortunately, my idea of snow boots in college were a pair of Reebok Classics (and my idea of a fine wine was Mad Dog). 

T: It’s no secret that the men’s clothing blogo-sphere loves Bean Boots.  This article has been bouncing around the internet for a few days so I thought that I would include it on our blog.  Click the link below to go to Commerce with a Conscience’s article about his decade long love affair with his first bean boots:

If you don’t have a pair yet, it really is time for you to get the ultimate rain/snow/mud boot.  My dad has owned the same pair for longer than I have been alive and my 20-year old sister (what up Julia!) now wears the  Bean Boots I wore when I was in middle school.

Click here to read our Bean Boots post which for all the T&A long time readers (all 6 of you) was written in only the second week of this grand experiment. 

T: This is the first on a series of boots that every grown man should own.  Its amazing how many guys try to go without a good pair of boots.  For example, if your snow footwear says “Chuck Taylor” on them or you try to walk “on-top” of the snow without sinking in like Jesus, this post is going out to you.

I didn’t have any boots until a full year after I graduated college and even some real grown-ups who can rent a car (unlike me) don’t bother to ever pick up a pair.  Without boots, you ruin shoes, soak your feet, and generally look like an ass trying to jump over and around puddles.

Just last week, I spotted my boss walking around in socks because he had ruined his dress shoes in a snowbank.  However, this may have been a mixed blessing because they were hideous and may have not even been worth the 30 dollars he spent on them.

I digress—here is the one pair of boots that every WASP has in the back of their closet.  Growing up around the cricket club set, I saw these quite a bit in the winter and rainy months and I even got my own pair when I was 11 from the L.L. Bean outlet in Maine.

These “Bean Boots” as they are commonly known are still made in Maine and are REALLY durable.  I think my dad has had the same pair for longer than I have been alive.  L.L. Bean just released a fancy pair new pair for their Signature line but I still like these “old school” kicks.

One word of advice though—although these are your best bet in the snow and rain, they are hot as hell.  About a month ago, Andrew and I went to watch a football game in the snow and I decided to wear these to the bar to keep my feet dry.  5 hours, 4 darts games, 60 wings, and who knows how many Stellas later, my feet had sweated through my socks….which made for an awesome walk home.