How a 103-Year-Old Boot Became the Season’s Hottest Accessory

L. L. Bean’s famous Maine hunting shoe in 1941 / Getty Images

It might be March, but let’s face it, that means nothing. It’s still winter. The snow’s a falling, thanks to Winter Storm Sparta, and you’ve been wearing your duck boots for months now. From college campuses to the streets of New York, the preppy style—once a signature of New England fashion—is now ubiquitous, its influence reaching far beyond the Northeast.

A leather lace-up boot with a rubber bottom and toe that resembles a bill, this sturdy style—originally called the Maine Hunting Boot—was first introduced by L.L. Bean founder Leon Leonwood Bean in 1912. In fact, it was the first product Bean ever sold. Now, 103 years later, it’s the most popular as well, selling out in most sizes for the past few winters. Demand is so strong that the Freeport, Maine-based company is expanding its local manufacturing facility to accommodate more employees. “We’ve seen incredible growth in the past few years,” says Carolyn Beem, L.L. Bean’s public affairs manager. “This year’s demand exceeded our forecast once again.” In 2014, the brand sold more than 450,000 pairs of boots.

Sperry’s version of the duck boot.

While the “Bean Boot,” as it’s affectionately called, might be the original, there are plenty of other brands capitalizing on the duck boot’s popularity. Boat-shoe brand Sperry—formerly known at Sperry Top-Sider—has been making wet-weather shoes since the 1970s, but it only introduced its first duck boot for men in 2004. (The Sperry style is distinguished by its boat-shoe style laces and grommet eyelets.) In 2010, the brand partnered with J.Crew to create exclusive colors and styles for both men and women, and within two seasons the collaboration consistently sold out. As with L.L. Bean, 2014 was Sperry’s best year yet for duck boots. The new Saltwater silhouette—an ankle-height version of the boot with a zipper up the side that makes it easier to pull on—“sold like hotcakes,” according to associate marketing manager Purvi Patel. There are plans to expand the collection this year—which is sold at Sperry.com, Nordstrom and Journey’s among other retailers—to include styles with buckle details, new fabrications, and even slip-on versions. “The entire line is blowing up,” Patel said. Right now, the shoes are completely sold out at Sperry.com and Sperry stores, while other retailers are sold out of most colors and sizes.

Native’s all-black duck boots.

For those still after a pair of duck boots, your best bet is to go for an under-the-radar brand. Native Shoes’ $90 rendition, called “The Jimmy”, is currently available at Zappos.com in navy, red and black. (They’re offering a full range of sizes for both men and women, too.) Or try eBay, where different versions are being sold for anywhere between $14 and $200.