LL Bean's Parker

[LtCol Henderson Marriott]

My father and grandfather ordered and wore the LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe since the 1920s. The Maine Hunting Shoe goes back to 1912.
I currently own 3 pairs in 16 inch, 14 in, and a rare set of 6 inch MHS boots.

And now an interesting true story that tends to foster old fashioned customer loyalty
to a sporting goods timeless store like LL Bean. My father died in 2000, and about almost a year later my mother called and asked about a 25-yr collection of my Dad's
LL Bean leather moccasins. There must have been 8 pairs in a large box. Some were badly worn, or worn out. I asked her to hold them. A few months later I had a "Down East " idea that must have come from Mr. L.L. himself. Boxed all of them together and shipped them back to Freeport, Attn; Customer Service. Received a phone call from a lady there at LL Bean, and I asked her if I could partial trade the "used footwear".
I ended up with a set of 16-inch Maine Hunting Shoes.
Then a gal friend had a daughter's Maine Hunters that the daughter never wore-so the mom directly exchanged for a set that fit her. Granted this is almost an abuse of merchant-customer good will, but I have never forgotten the response from that LL Bean employee:
"Mr. Marriott, I see that your family have been our steady customers for many years and it looks like a couple of generations. We value your satisfaction as a returning family customer. And we will make every effort to keep your family happy with our service and
our boots."

So-yes I am an LL Bean loyalist and have always found the Maine Hunting Shoe to
stand hunting conditions from Alaska to Wyoming, hunting elk and moose to bear.
They are as tough as a Rolex watch.