L.L.Bean Review: Winter, You’re Not Keeping Us Indoors!

Winter hasn’t been very nice this year. That whole “Polar Vortex” thing? Um, not cool, Robert Frost. But, despite the unlivable, beyond-freezing temps it bestowed upon most of the country (those of you that live on the West Coast, consider yourself lucky), one very good thing came out of the freakishly cold weather: The opportunity to really put some active winter gear to the test!

L.L.Bean just came out with its active line of apparel, and we choose two goodies to test. First, the Cool Weave Shirt ($49.95) for layering, and second, the Snow Sport Boot ($120). The shirt was pretty great. Not designed for the Polar Vortex by any stretch of the imagination, it is great in more moderately cool temperatures and is cute enough to go from a hike to dinner with friends. The plaid is hella cute, and it feels good on, especially with a tank underneath. With jade powder woven into the fabric, it absorbs heat slowly and dissipates it quickly so that you stay dry.

But then there the boots. Oh, the Snow Sport Boot. It rocks my face off. Or, more appropriately, my feet off. Or on. Because in the history of all reviews I’ve ever done, I’ve never once worn a boot or insole that has kept my feet from getting cold or turning “stumpy.” (You know, when your toes go numb, and they feel like they’re just one block of ice? That’s stumpy.) But these boots did it! They kept my feet warm, even when shoveling the driveway during the Polar Vortex. May the winter angels sing with warm toes!

Surprisingly light-weight for coming up darn-near mid-calf, these snow boots keep water out, warmth in, and they’re cozy. And when you wear them, you look a little like a winter bad-ass. Although, I will warn you that when you wear them, you can’t walk with a fully natural gait. Driving in them was … interesting. But, besides those things (which I will fully give up to have non-stumpy feet in winter!), I love them. LOVE THEM.

Do you have any winter active gear that you love? A pair of boots that kick the heck out of winter’s chill? —Jenn