FREEPORT — It’s a little tried and true on bottom, a little millennial on top.

L.L. Bean announced Thursday that it has partnered with another company for the first time for a new twist on its classic Bean Boot, working with the Maine startup Flowfold to replace the boot’s leather uppers with the tough sailcloth that Flowfold is known for.

The new 6-inch small-batch boots are being assembled in Brunswick with the sailcloth cut and boot bottoms made in Lewiston.

“They are making roughly 156 boots per day for the next 30 days to keep up with demand,” said Flowfold co-owner James Morin, a Lewiston native. “It’s fair to say that once these sell out, customers will not have another opportunity to get the Flowfold design Bean Boot — at least this season and for sure in these colors.”

L.L. Bean has made its iconic Bean Boot since 1912 and produced 700,000 pairs last year between Lewiston and Brunswick, according to a spokesman.

Flowfold got its start in 2010 on Peaks Island and recently expanded into a 7,500-square-foot space in Gorham.

The two companies have collaborated on a line of outdoor bags and gear since 2016.

Morin said Thursday’s news had him thinking about the relatively few years the company had between selling wallets to tourists from a table on Commercial Street in Portland to working with L.L. Bean.

In November 2015, “we were three 26-year-old kids asking a $1.6 billion company to trust us,” he said. “They did, and we haven’t stopped trying to prove them right ever since.”

The new small-batch boots retail for $139. Because of the sailcloth top, the men’s sizes are nearly a pound lighter per pair, according to Morin, at 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Women’s sizes are roughly 7 ounces lighter.

kskelton@sunjournal.com

 

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