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Bobwiththebigone t1_iw7sn1n wrote

I had a pair of Lacrosse Antarctica's. Damn good boots. Lacrosse today is just horrible.

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SelfDERPecating t1_iw7xx7i wrote

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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Bobwiththebigone t1_iw8f30p wrote

Just want to add one thing. Kamik makes a boot that will get to 100 below. Kids boots are down to 40 below I believe. They are made from our neighbors north to us if you reside in the US. Each one one of us in immediate family has Kamiks.

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exposedboner t1_iw8rgej wrote

>Kamik

Update: Kamik Womens Duck Boots are ~40% off with code GEARUP22 from REI outlet, just bought a pair, thanks for the tip!

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Jaereth t1_iw8t0em wrote

I’ll second this. I got so sick of cold winter I decided when walking the dogs so often - “I want a boot I can just plunge my bare foot into and be warm no matter what.

Kamik snowmobile boots are what I found. I don’t snowmobile but damn are they ever nice for just general purpose walking around too! Little big and clunky but super comfortable, slip on slip off, and my pair I got in 2013 or so still look fine. Nothing so much as a chip or crack in the sole.

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GhostofSpades t1_ix3rkpj wrote

On the Kamiks any thoughts on the different variants of the Heritage collection? Trying to assess the primary differences between the Yukon 5, Hudson 5, Lawrence M, and the Lawrence L.

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Bobwiththebigone t1_ix50047 wrote

I have the Cody. No experience with the others. I just wanted a warm boot. Grew up in Minnesota so I know what a little cold feels like.

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EnterByTheNarrowGate t1_iw9yecy wrote

Isn’t this the story of almost everything that gets posted on here?

“Used to be good, now it’s garbage.”

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BoostinDubs t1_iw7r6kl wrote

I need a pair. My feet are going numb in the tree stand. Do they keep ya warm when not moving around?

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jgacks OP t1_iw7wzzl wrote

Yes - I sit in the stand all day with wind blowing off a lake at 10-20mph in 20 degree days.

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factordactyl t1_iwaq7vw wrote

Check out Korkers boots too. I have a pair of 1200g thinsulate boots rated for -60°F

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MoonshineParadox t1_iw9ctm0 wrote

Yeah, I've been looking for a good pair of duck boots, but I'm hearing so many horror stories about once great companies now producing second rate boots.

And there are so many reviewer websites nowadays that make money from those companies, so I have just kind of thrown up my hands and given up at this point.

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jgacks OP t1_iw9ia9u wrote

I can tell you the insulation inserts are the same, the thickness of the twine used in the stichee is also the same. From what I can see & feel(I haven't measured) the sole thickness is the same. Rubber feels the same. If they went with something cheaper I can't attest to that. Only noticeable differences are in the band? On where they join the rubber of the sole to the upper toe portion looks thicker & taller the placement of the final extra material is in a different point too. Maybe that's even a good thing though? I don't think the leather is different- just aged adding color & the embellishments of the name brand are burnt? In vs being stitched on.

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diab0lus t1_iw8ndro wrote

That tape is actually a nice aesthetic touch.

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jgacks OP t1_iw93w29 wrote

It was fixing a crack but thanks!

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scootunit t1_iw7qgcs wrote

Gaff tape?

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jgacks OP t1_iw7sjkf wrote

No it was some sort of tape meant for boots when they crack. Two years ago I may have stored them semi wet & the rubber on top cracked the next winter. Aquaseal & that had it sealed up again

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Red-Dwarf69 t1_iwa6g46 wrote

Everyone at my job had a pair of Lacrosse boots when I got there. Six months later every pair was replaced with other brands because they fell apart. Guess their quality has gotten worse.

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CanterburyTerrier t1_iw96uzf wrote

I didn't know anything about lacrosse until I heard they recently bought Whites boots in 2022.

Edit: No, sorry. Whites has been owned by LaCrosse. More research needed.

Okay, LaCrosse owns Danner and Whites boots and has since 2014.

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purju t1_iw95bni wrote

As a Swede, I use Lundhags

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kebert_xela2286 t1_iw93bzy wrote

My sorels finally came apart at the same place as well. I loved those boots they were great for like 7 years

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Bozar88 t1_iw9piod wrote

Smells like new too I guess lol

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simmering_happiness t1_iw9wrkz wrote

My old lacrosses lasted a few decades, and I got them hand-me-down.

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Snatchl t1_iw9y7he wrote

I have 2 pair of these same boots bought for myself and my dad back in the early 90s for hunting. They are still in phenomenal shape.

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Trans_Alpha_Cuck t1_iw8elds wrote

I have a pair of LaCrosse Buckmasters for winter hiking and they kick ass

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LionDreamz t1_iwaearb wrote

Im planning on buying a pair of baffin eiger any one use them are they really good ?

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R011_5af3_yeah t1_iwcgo3e wrote

Could you describe the smell as accurately as possible? For a friend

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aavocados t1_iwmhuhc wrote

what the hell, even the 22 yr old ones still look in good shape

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jgacks OP t1_iwno1ed wrote

That's why they are in the but it for life sub! I just didn't want to risk another crack on a two week hunting trip. I had used a "rubber rejuvenator" but wasn't 100% confident it would fully restore them. On the plus side now they can serve as loaners to newbies who don't have appropriate hunting gear!

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Boazlite t1_iy7eslz wrote

Problem with these boots is they are slick and you’ll find yourself on the ground wondering how you got there.

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suppaboy228 t1_iwbxvnd wrote

Hunting is cringe if you can go to a supermarket

Edit: Whoever is downvoting me is even cringier.

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