Michael M.

LLBean was once a great store. When they had their lifetime guarantee on all products, the merchandise was so well made that it was rare to have to return products and initiate the guarantee. Evidently many people took advantage of that so the store changed their policy. It seems, though, that since now they eliminated or changed their warranty/guarantee policy and are not obligated to stand by their products, the quality of their products has sunk.
I had a pair of walking shoes that lasted 5 or 6 years. I bought a new pair and they wore and tore in the back of the shoe within months. The wearing pattern (meaning how often I would wear them and for how long I would walk) was the same. To exchange them, I would have had to mail the shoe back and have them determine if they would replace it. A picture would not do. Nor would they ship a new pair with my credit card as a hold until they got the other pair back. Maybe they are still a valid option if you live near them, but if not, they are a poor choice to do business with.