Here are 12 brands to check out if you’re a fan of L.L.Bean.
No brand does outdoor gear quite like L.L.Bean. From its iconic Bean Boots to its wide range of outerwear, the company takes a classic, functional approach to design that draws from the brand’s New England roots.
L.L.Bean has been a cornerstone of American style since its founding in 1912 by namesake owner Leon Leonwood Bean (and yes, that was his real name). The company was originally created to sell Bean’s now-famous duck boots; the rest is history.
What sets L.L.Bean apart is its idiosyncratic mix of styles — its high-quality products are outdoorsy but also preppy, functional, yet oddly fashionable. This refined take on hunting and fishing gear makes items like the Bean Boots unique (and polarizing).
That one-of-a-kind style can make it difficult to find other brands that tick the same boxes. No company quite matches L.L.Bean’s style, but there are several brands that have quite a bit of overlap, and I’ve rounded up 12 of them in this article for your perusal.
Brands Like L.L.Bean
When looking for brands similar to L.L.Bean, I used a few criteria for evaluation.
First, the brand had to focus on outdoor gear and apparel. Second, the brand had to have a similar design ethos where function is at the forefront. Finally, the brand had to offer most of the same types of items.
With no further ado, here are a dozen brands like L.L.Bean in order from most to least similar (as judged by me!).
Orvis
Pound for pound, Orvis is the closest you’ll get to L.L.Bean. The company actually predates L.L.Bean by over fifty years — it was founded in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis, a fisherman credited with inventing the first modern fly reel.
Like L.L.Bean, Orvis, as a brand, was born and raised in the New England landscape. The Vermont-based company takes a similar approach to outdoor clothing, so you’ll find plenty of barn coats, technical vests, and quarter-zip sweatshirts in its catalog.
Orvis has its own personality, but there’s no denying it’s extremely similar to L.L.Bean overall. One of the biggest differences is that Orvis focuses on more recreational activities like fishing while L.L.Bean has heavier-duty garments suitable for more intense activities like running and outdoor sports.
Both companies combine old-world sporting style with newer performance features in a way only New England brands can. If you shop at L.L.Bean often, you’ll like what Orvis has to offer.
REI
REI is basically the West Coast version of L.L.Bean. When it was founded in 1938, REI (which stands for Recreational Equipment, Inc.) only had one shelf full of goods at a small Seattle co-op, and today it’s one of the biggest outdoor brands in the world.
REI has a strikingly similar style to L.L.Bean, although the mountaineering influence is clear. Many REI garments are also a bit more stylish — for example, the company has its own spin on the chore jacket — but they’re also built to perform well in the backcountry.
While REI has its own clothing line, it also carries some of the other brands on this list, including Patagonia and The North Face. It’s an excellent one-stop shop for outdoor clothing and gear, and with 179 current retail stores across the US, there’s probably an REI near you.
Patagonia
It’s impossible to talk about outdoor gear brands without talking about Patagonia. Founded in 1973 to provide high-quality gear to mountain climbers, Patagonia now makes everything from parkas to shorts.
At first, Patagonia and L.L.Bean might not seem too similar. That’s because, generally speaking, Patagonia’s clothing is more performance-oriented than L.L.Bean’s slightly more casual take on outdoor clothing.
However, many of the brands’ offerings share some key attributes. Take a look at both companies’ fleece jackets, for instance, and you’ll see lots of commonalities in the designs. There are also similarities between the brands’ sweaters, outerwear, and base layers.
Columbia
Columbia is another fairly recognizable name in the outdoor niche, and for good reason. The company was founded in 1938 as a family-owned hat shop, but it quickly expanded into outdoor equipment and became Columbia Sportswear Company in 1960.
Columbia focuses more on winter sports like skiing, but its hiking and hunting lines have lots of L.L.Bean vibes. Many of Columbia’s shirts, jackets, fleeces, and pants could easily be mistaken for L.L.Bean pieces.
All in all, Columbia is ideal for anyone who likes L.L.Bean’s style but needs more performance-oriented gear for winter activities. While Columbia isn’t as versatile of a brand as L.L.Bean, it can easily help you fill in some of the gaps in your outdoor wardrobe.
It’s also worth noting that Columbia owns three other outdoor brands: SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna. Each brand is close to L.L.Bean in its own way, so definitely check out these brands if you like Columbia’s style.
The North Face
The North Face is yet another company that has some similarities to L.L.Bean but concentrates on heavier winter clothing. Aesthetically, The North Face is quite different, but fans of L.L.Bean will find a lot to like here.
Chances are you’ve seen one of The North Face’s fleece jackets out in the wild. The brand’s popularity is almost directly linked to the simplicity and effectiveness of its outerwear, but there’s a lot more on offer than just jackets.
The North Face tends to opt for a more minimal look than L.L.Bean. That means you’ll find sleeker versions of classic outerwear items (like hoodies and puffer vests) that would look right at home in a ski lodge.
Notably, The North Face is more of a premium brand than L.L.Bean, so you get much better quality but at much higher prices. That said, The North Face items are incredibly long-lasting and hold up well over the years, so they’re usually worth the investment.
Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen is often recognized for its workwear, but the Norwegian brand also makes some excellent sportswear. The company offers everything from puffy parkas and hiking pants to no-nonsense sailing jackets and waterproof boots.
Since the company designs for the frigid, intense Norwegian weather, you can be sure its clothing will keep you toasty when it matters most. And, of course, everything is approached through a lens of Scandinavian minimalism, so the apparel is simple and effective.
Most of Helly Hansen’s lineup targets skiing, hiking, and mountaineering activities. In terms of design, there’s a surprising amount of crossover with L.L.Bean, although Helly Hansen gear tends to be more practical.
Huckberry
Technically speaking, Huckberry isn’t a brand but rather a storefront that offers a curated selection of adventure-ready goods. It’s that variety that makes Huckberry an interesting alternative to L.L.Bean.
You’ll find lots of sweaters, shirts, and jackets that all evoke the Bean style. However, since these garments are coming from different brands, there’s a much wider range of products.
Some brands are American classics, while others, like Flint and Tinder, are exclusive to Huckberry. Relwen, Wellen, and Proof are a few brands that are pretty close to L.L.Bean in several ways.
Huckberry is a solid choice if you have specific L.L.Bean favorites and want to find comparable items. (Though someone has to do something about that annoying full-screen popup that loads every time you visit the site. Really, Huckberry?).
Filson
Everything about Filson oozes heritage, which makes sense considering the brand’s been around since 1897. In a nutshell, most of what Filson makes today looks like it could be vintage L.L.Bean.
Filson and L.L.Bean both have distinct American styles, but Filson leans more into workwear and takes notes from the manual laborers of the past (think railroad workers and lumberjacks). Because of that, Filson’s stuff is decidedly more rugged.
Like the workwear of yesteryear, Filson clothing is built to last, and I wouldn’t be surprised if modern Filson items are passed down through the generations. The brand is an exceptional example of Americana style done well.
Lands’ End
When I think of Lands’ End, two things come to mind: Sears department stores and the fact that the brand’s name has a misplaced apostrophe. Fussy grammatical complaints aside, there’s no denying that Lands’ End and L.L.Bean have some of the same DNA.
Lands’ End began as a yachting supply company, and that nautical inspiration is the basis for its apparel. (Think of it as L.L.Bean but for sailing). Garments like flannel shirts, quarter zip sweatshirts, and chinos are scattered throughout the Lands’ End catalog.
Overall, Lands’ End skews a bit more business casual than L.L.Bean, so it’s a nice option if you want something with a bit of an outdoorsy feel that’ll also work well in the office.
Buck Mason
Picture L.L.Bean with a suave, refined edge, and you’ll get a general idea of what Buck Mason has to offer. Though the company is one of the newest on this list — it was founded in 2013 — it draws from classic American menswear and covers some of the same ground as L.L.Bean.
Buck Mason’s take on neo-Americana is unmistakably contemporary, but many of its pieces are inspired by the outdoors in the same way that L.L.Bean clothing is. This is most noticeable when looking at Buck Mason’s outerwear, which takes design cues from outdoor gear.
Buck Mason’s clothing reflects everything from military wear to Ivy League style, so it’s much more varied than L.L.Bean. If you find yourself drawn to the sharper or preppier aspects of L.L.Bean, then you’ll definitely want to check out Buck Mason.
Rancourt & Co.
Fortunately, L.L.Bean offers shoes other than its iconic Bean Boots; the company also makes moccasins and various casual leather shoes. In that way, the brand shares several characteristics with Rancourt & Co., another Maine-based company.
Rancourt & Co. is best known for its handmade moccasins that have been defining New England style since they first emerged in 1967. These comfortable and handsome shoes have held their staying power through the decades, and for many people, Rancourt is the #1 moccasin maker in the world.
While L.L.Bean and Rancourt & Co. offer similar footwear options, Rancourt is indisputably the better option (especially when it comes to mocs). All Rancourt footwear is made by hand in the company’s Maine factory, which means you’re getting artisanal made-in-USA quality at a price point that’s lower than you might think.
Everlane
If you like L.L.Bean’s designs but wish they were a bit more polished, you’re probably looking for Everlane. The two brands don’t really resemble each other, but they both take cues from classic American styles.
While L.L.Bean is more influenced by midcentury outdoor gear, Everlane borrows more from contemporary styles like athleisure. However, Everlane’s catalog is diverse and includes everything from minimal fleece full zips to classic denim jackets.
Brands Like L.L. Bean: What to Look For
L.L.Bean is a unique brand in so many ways, but if you’re looking for other options, keep an eye out for brands that focus on fishing and hunting. (It’s a plus if the brand is based in New England.)
Of course, the brands on this list are a good start, but it’s also worth hitting up online thrift shops and looking for hunting and fishing gear.
If you’re planning on getting some L.L.Bean-style gear to hit the mountains, make sure to read our guide to dressing for summer hiking.
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