Has anyone else caught any of the L.L. Bean holiday commercials that are running lately?  While we normally don’t pay much attention to ads, there is just something about them introducing their employees to the world that we really love.  Of all the ads currently in rotation, our favorite is probably the one that features Jason Valera (sp?), he cuts the leather for Bean Boots.  Literally, every time we see the commercial we start trying to justify another pair.  Though you can’t go wrong with the basic Bean Boot, our next purchase will definitely be the 12″ Leather Maine Hunting Shoe ($185) from the L.L. Bean Signature Collection.

An homage to a version of the Maine Hunting Shoe that was released in 1939, this boot looks just as great now as it did back then. With supple leather uppers, and a fringe known as a kiltie, these boots featured the famed L.L. Bean chain-tread sole for traction wherever your journeys may take you.  If you are between sizes, we definitely recommend sizing down, our friends at L.L. Bean assume that you are going to be wearing your boots with thick socks, and even if you do, they still run a touch big.  Whether you need them for shoveling snow, or just keeping your feet dry on a rainy day, the 12″ Leather Maine Hunting Shoes will do the job, and look fantastic doing it.