L.L.Bean no longer sells, canoes, kayaks, paddles, PFDs or canoe accessories

[Glenn MacGrady]

Oh my, how the world changes for the worse. How icons are shattered.

There are no longer any canoes, kayaks, SUPs, paddles, PFDs or paddling accessories in L.L.Bean's online catalog. What happened? One can only assume lack of demand to justify product cost. When did this happen?

In the 1980s, when I was regularly spending the summers in Maine with my wife and kids, a trek to Bean's in Freeport was mandatory for this canoeist. They had canoes stacked outside the front door. They had them displayed inside. There were canoes made by Old Town, Mad River, Wenonah, Stowe, Lincoln, and perhaps others—sometimes rebranded as L.L.Bean canoes, sometimes not. In the 1990s, they also had a lot of good quality sea touring kayaks. It seems they were selling Old Town Discovery canoes not that long ago.

But no longer.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

 

[Neophyte]

I was just up at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport ME. They had a selection of kayaks and a few Old Town canoes sitting outside. Perhaps that’s the last of it?

Regardless, the selection was not nearly as impressive as what you’ve described. I was surprised there was no sea kayaks, we were pretty close to the ocean.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Seems like LL Bean is devolving into just another niche clothing store. Sierra Trading Post has been reduced to clothing and cookware. Not even a good selection of outdoor shoes anymore.

Idunno what makes two big names in outdoor supply like those founder when others like Bass Pro and Scheels thrive, but I have my suspicion it has a lot to do with the target audience.

 

[MrPoling]

I'm surprised, but they don't even have have paddleboards. No pfd either. No premium backpacks either. Oddly they still have snowshoes.

It makes me kinda sad because the Bean catalog was key propaganda for me during the 1980s. While never as cool as the Mad River catalog, it was glossy, slick, and had aspirational gear in it.

I saw a Bean catalog recently, and it seemed really boring. Now I understand why - all the cool gear was gone.

I wonder if they can retain their image without legitimate gear?

A search for "paddle" only returns this towel. Which is pretty cool.

 

[MrPoling]

Seems like LL Bean is devolving into just another niche clothing store. Sierra Trading Post has been reduced to clothing and cookware. Not even a good selection of outdoor shoes anymore.

Idunno what makes two big names in outdoor supply like those founder when others like Bass Pro and Scheels thrive, but I have my suspicion it has a lot to do with the target audience.

I suspect Amazon shipping is part of it. For a bulky item, like an internal frame pack or paddle, it is hard to compete. I noticed their backpacks are mostly LLBean brand. Probably because Amazon crushes them on name brand packs.

I'm not positive it is all good for outdoor retailers. The Dicks closest to us closed this year.

 

[VA paddler]

I suspect Amazon shipping is part of it. For a bulky item, like an internal frame pack or paddle, it is hard to compete. I noticed their backpacks are mostly LLBean brand. Probably because Amazon crushes them on name brand packs.

I'm not positive it is all good for outdoor retailers. The Dicks closest to us closed this year.

 

[VA paddler]

They just re-opened the flagship store in Freeport this week after a $50M renovation. I have a hard time believing they aren’t carrying paddling stuff anymore. As of June they had an entire building on the campus devoted to paddling & cycling and they carried several brands of canoes. I’ll be passing by tomorrow and will take a look. Still, most of the stuff they carry(ied?) were for day paddlers. They had very little useful gear for tripping.

 

[Neophyte]

They still had a dedicated paddle store when I was there at the beginning of September. But that was before the grand opening of the new store. I’ll be interested in what you find when you’re there.

I would agree that the selection of paddlesports gear was not fantastic. Only one model of Bending Branches paddle, no dry suits, not much tripping gear that I saw. I admit to being fairly disappointed with the whole experience.

But there a Fjallraven store nearby and the beer/pizza at Brickyard Hollow was good, so it was worth the trip.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

If "we" would stop patronizing Amazon and the other "cheaper is better" retailers, perhaps we'd have more high end retailers remaining in the marketplace. I paddle with a local group, mostly kayakers, and a regular topic of conversation is who bought the cheapest kayak at Walmart, Tractor Supply... or bought the latest accessory from Amazon. Kind of hard to publish glossy catalogues and maintain expensive store fronts against that kind of competition. They (Bean) likely have to concentrate on those items where they can make the most profit. Hard to say whether it will be a long term, successful strategy.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

If "we" would stop patronizing Amazon and the other "cheaper is better" retailers, perhaps we'd have more high end retailers remaining in the marketplace. I paddle with a local group, mostly kayakers, and a regular topic of conversation is who bought the cheapest kayak at Walmart, Tractor Supply... or bought the latest accessory from Amazon. Kind of hard to publish glossy catalogues and maintain expensive store fronts against that kind of competition. They (Bean) likely have to concentrate on those items where they can make the most profit. Hard to say whether it will be a long term, successful strategy.

Point taken, but our local paddlesports shop quit stocking canoes and much gear before Amazon was much of a thing. I have to drive half a day to get to where I can even look at anything I would buy, and then I'm restricted to one brand of canoe. Lots of good k***ks there though.

Amazon and other big box outlets are surely a factor, but I think the general public's ignorance of quality outdoor experience is also in play. (I know that's a vague and broad statement)

 

[Gamma1214]

I'm not positive it is all good for outdoor retailers. The Dicks closest to us closed this year.

If "we" would stop patronizing Amazon and the other "cheaper is better" retailers, perhaps we'd have more high end retailers remaining in the marketplace.

Not just high-end... Online retailers make it tough for any brick & mortar store. To survive, they all have to focus their energy (and assets) on those items that provide the best combination of margin and turnover. The only reason that Amazon, Walmart & other big box retailers are cheaper is because of the volume they do (make a nickel 20 times a day instead of $7 a week and everyone is happier).

We are quickly becoming a "temu" society... most don't care what kinda piece of crap it is as long as it's cheap & easy.

(then again... those preferences saw me through High School & college. Sorry, THAT would be serious thread drift)

 

[yknpdlr]

For those of us who live an hour or more away from major retailers that handles the type of outdoor gear or other normal life supplies my wife and I might need or desire (Walmart, LLBean, Lowes, Harbor Freight et. al.), Amazon with overnight or two-day delivery on some items is a God-send in this time of high fuel prices. Can't even buy a sized pair of underwear in our highway one-stoplight tiny village or any other similarly stocked nearby towns with no stoplights at all. Dollar General by the dozens it seems are not far, but those are a different category completely. I can't just hop in the car and make a quick trip for a box of screws for a project I am working on. Having said that, I do have a bit of guilt for not being able to support any local vendors (who do not or no longer exist).