I was a big LL Bean fan in the past - and I’m a former Mainer - but I will not buy anything full price from them anymore. Almost none of the clothing is made in the USA anymore, it’s all outsourced to Southeast Asia and China and the quality is not leaps and bounds ahead of Lands End. The do source some linens from Portugal that are very nice and probably worth full price, but if there is an outlet near you shop there instead - and/or shop the annual 25% off holiday sale.

A great place to get Patagonia, Columbia, REI and other pricey brands at steep discounts is Sierratradingpost.com - you don’t always get the full range of sizes/colors, but you can get incredible prices on first quality activewear, outerwear & gear.

Bonus points for Columbia usually being on deep discount at REI

LLBean is more expensive, higher quality, more outdoorsy.
Land's End is more practical casual play stuff.

If your kids are under 12, the Land's End coats, snow pants are really good and the sales are awesome. We like the boots too, but they are a bit more hit or miss. They're also good for stuff like leggings, sweat pants, tees, etc.

For an adult or a teen that isn't growing much, you'll do better with the LL Bean quality (although I wear a Land's End coat myself). I just had to buy my son a good rain coat for boy scout camping, and I chose a Columbia jacket from REI -- I don't trust Land's End to be fully rainproof and there was some issue with the LL Bean (not the right selection or something). We also got his hiking boots are REI, but I would think LL Bean would be okay for that too. I have LL Bean snow boots that are over 30 years old and they still work great.

Anonymous wrote:This isn't exactly what you asked for but the coats that have outlasted our llbean ones have been the Costco Gerry brand, they wear like nothing else a s wash beautifully

Agree! And a fraction of the price of either LL Bean OR Lands End. I have a rain jacket that I got from Costco ($29!) that is a dupe for one from LL Bean ($140). Is the quality the same? Probably not, but it is close enough to more than make up for the price difference.

Anonymous wrote:Land's End quality has really slipped recently.

Recently was 15 years ago.

They are both crap right now.

LL Bean is more expensive, but things like their boat totes are still made in Maine. If at all possible, I prefer to buy things made in the US and in countries without major human rights issues (i.e., China).

I've liked that LLBean has a few options for organic cotton and sustainable fabrics.

Land's End quality has really slipped recently.

Anonymous wrote:Lands’ End is owned by Sears.

Dissolved about 10 years ago although still have partnership to co-located in physical stores.

Anonymous wrote:The perception is LL bean is more wealthier, waspy, made in america, and now outdoorsy.

What does "now outdoorsy" mean?

This isn't exactly what you asked for but the coats that have outlasted our llbean ones have been the Costco Gerry brand, they wear like nothing else a s wash beautifully

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy Lands End because the items are cheaper when on sale, and my son is still growing to the point that he requires new outerwear every year.

yup, quality good enough to last through two seasons (two kids, one season each), but not so expensive.

Same here. It's not worth shelling out for LL Bean when she's going to wear it two seasons, max. I will say, we do get two seasons out of the coats, because of the grow-along cuffs, and they are still in decent shape after that, so they definitely last as long as they need to and are in good enough condition to hand down to another kid.

The adults in the family tend to wear Columbia or Marmot.

Anonymous wrote:I buy Lands End because the items are cheaper when on sale, and my son is still growing to the point that he requires new outerwear every year.

yup, quality good enough to last through two seasons (two kids, one season each), but not so expensive.

I'll be the outlier here and say I'm a fan of neither as I prefer Colombia.