Bustle.com has a list of where to buy L.L. Bean "duck boot" lookalikes. Consumerist.com said that as of December 2014, the backorder wait list was 100,000 people long. People across the country (and probably world) are posting photos on social media of their beloved L.L. Bean boots, often in locations that don't experience even one flake of winter. And here I am, sitting in Portland, Maine after the first significant snow storm with wet socks because I don't have a pair of Bean boots.

This girl in South Carolina is excited about her Bean boots, but...

I wonder how many feet of snow she'll have to shovel in those?

I know Texas has had snow lately, but...

Lounging in a sun-soaked hammock does not require Bean boots.

If you use #California and #LLBeanBoots in the same caption...

You don't need L.L. Bean Boots.

Bean boots are a Mainer clothing staple and we don't wear them ironically or because they match our perfectly bunched wool socks and fashion-forward fur lined parka. We wear them because they're essential to surviving our winter weather patterns. They keep us warm, dry, and stable while traversing the tricky snow-salt-sand slush that takes over our sidewalks.

How does a Mainer get a pair of L.L. Bean Boots while they're on backorder?

As Mainers we have a distinct advantage over every other Bean boot seeker in the world. We're located within driving distance of the L.L. Bean flagship store and the L.L. Bean outlet. We can use those resources to our advantage, and a few other methods, to get our hands on a pair of Bean boots before the fashionistas buy them all up for the perfect Instagram photo.

Visit the L.L. Bean Outlet in Freeport

llbean.com
llbean.com
loading...

It's a no brainer for a Mainer to check the L.L. Bean outlet store for a pair of Bean boots. It's luck of a draw there. Sometimes you'll find boots with minor defects (like missing a shoelace) or other in near-perfect condition, returned by some person who decided they didn't want their boots. There's an L.L. Bean outlet in Freeport just across the street from the flagship store at 1 Freeport Farms Road and a location in Bangor at 534 Stillwater Avenue.

Local Yard Sale Groups on Facebook

Facebook via Westbrook Yard Sale Online
Facebook via Westbrook Yard Sale Online
loading...

I'm a member of a few local yard sale groups and I see L.L. Bean boots appear in the posts every now and then. Why would you want to get rid of your beloved Bean boots? Their loss is my warm feet. This pair was snatched up from the Westbrook Yard Sale Online group at lightning speed, so your best chance to snag an available pair is to turn group notifications on. You also have to be cool with wearing used shoes.

eBay and Other Auction Apps

eBay.com
eBay.com
loading...

I'm torn about Bean boots sold on eBay because they prices are sometimes way more than you would pay direct from L.L. Bean. But if you're desperate, this may be the route for you. Use search terms like "NWT" for brand new, never worn pairs. The options range from well-worn to lightly used. You can also use other shopping apps like PoshMark to find additional pairs. You'll make out a little better if you can get your hands on a pair of L.L. Bean boots from a friend or family member to test your size. I hear they run big, but I wouldn't know, because I don't have a pair.

Do you have a pair of L.L. Bean boots? Can I have them?

Just kidding. But seriously.

More From Q97.9