“I still wear the Bean Boots I got freshman year. That was 38 years ago.” |
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| Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter |
The rule was never spoken, but if you started college in New England in the fall of 1987, like writer Rory Evans did, the marching orders were implied. You were meant to track down an L.L.Bean catalog, hustle over to the campus center to procure a money order, and send in for a pair of Bean Boots. Then, you patiently waited four to six weeks for the arrival of a brown-paper package from Freeport, Maine.
Those boots that landed on Rory’s doorstep, 38 years ago? They’re still a closet mainstay to this day. Perhaps the only thing more impressive than their durability is their sustained relevance. “Bean Boots,” says Rory, “have never gone out of style.”
Comfortable, great for wet and muddy conditions, and cute, too→
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Plus: All of our favorite winter boots |
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| Rozette Rago/NYT WIrecutter |
Rain is one thing (and for that, your duck boots — or any of Wirecutter’s favorites — should more than suffice). But snow and freezing rain are a different story.
After 125 hours of research and in-the-snow trials wearing 36 pairs of boots, we have a variety of options to help you navigate the ever-changing underfoot topography of winter. Our favorites include a traditional lace-up pair and a plush, wool-lined leather boot that functions better than anything else we tried.
11 excellent pairs of winter boots→
Your daily deal: A luxe leather tote we love |
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| Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter |
This unstructured tote is lightweight and spacious enough to fit everything you could need for a long day. The soft, pebbled texture of the Italian leather feels luxurious, yet it’s not too fancy for daily use. It’s an investment piece, but today it’s over $70 off.
An (on-sale!) chic upgrade for your January return-to-office schlep→
One last thing: “This down jacket has kept me warm for 12 winters” |
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| NYT Wirecutter |
Writer Alexander Aciman has worn this down coat for 12 consecutive New York City winters — and, blessedly, not once has he looked like the Michelin Man. Unlike down layering pieces, the hooded jacket is designed to be worn alone. Yet it’s still, as Alexander says, “a tremendous insulator.”
Plus, it comes with free repairs→
Bundle up!
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