Club Obi Wan

I just got a pair. I am hard to fit for pants and didn't have much confidence in them fitting, but just like Tony the tiger said...theeeey'rree Greeeaaat!

I couldn't be more pleased........in case you were wondering

I hapen to be size 35, which LL Bean can fit, unlike many vendors who offer 34 and 36 but no 35.

I also am size 41 shirt - or should be - but most vendors offer medium as 38-40 and large as 42-44. Apparently those of us who are 40 - 42 are supposed to go about bare chested or something.

Of course, we could commission a Jermy Street shirtmaker to make a bespoke shirt for $200 a pop sor so.

MK wrote:I just got a pair. I am hard to fit for pants and didn't have much confidence in them fitting, but just like Tony the tiger said...theeeey'rree Greeeaaat!

I couldn't be more pleased........in case you were wondering

The L.L. Bean TA25771 (Taupe) are really the only pair I like now that they still carry in a the dress pleated style although I wish they were a bit wider at the bottoms like the Indyesque Rhinohide, Zambezi, and the Field Twill Pants seem to be that you mentioned awhile back in another thread. Although these pants are made of heavier fabric, and mostly come with plain fronts, they do have STYLE.

I've got a pair too and they are very nice and very comfortable. I recommend them as well.
PBG

So they are a pretty good substitute for the NH ones? I am tempted to save up for some NH ones but know really that I shouldn't really be spending that kind of money on trousers (sorry, pants). What about the LL Bean alternative? Is it worth it?

Ken

My experience has been that they have a bit too much taper to them. The only solution I found was to buy a pair with extremely long legs (36") and hem them myself to 32." Even still, the openings don't quite do it for me.

-John

If the Bean pants you've gotten have a taper to them, then you should have gotten the "Natural fit" pants with the outward facting pleats....that's what Indy had on his anyway.

YES! I've got two (soon to be four) pairs of these pants....they are DEFINATELY worth it!!! I love mine!

Later!
Indydawg

Great pants! Got my first pair last year, wear them all the time. Ordering 2 more pair this week. You can't miss with the LL Bean stuff.

The pants and many other items LL Bean offers are drawn from the 1930's. It seems that the company is working hard to stick to the traditional styles and craftsmanship of that era.

Indiana Ken wrote:So they are a pretty good substitute for the NH ones? I am tempted to save up for some NH ones but know really that I shouldn't really be spending that kind of money on trousers (sorry, pants). What about the LL Bean alternative? Is it worth it?

Ken

The deciding factor for me was that Noel's are dry clean only.

I have 2 of the LL Bean taupe, Item # TA25771 that I have bought 1 1/2 years ago. No sign of wear and built rock solid. As a reminder, these pants are listed on the main Indygear site as the alternative to the NH.

-Sergei

Did LL bean change the item number? I wanted to see the pants if I put the TA25771 nuber into the search I get only the quick shop page: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... &x=15&y=16

and if I seach by description I get these pants: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... sc1=Search

Minn Jones got the LL Bean wool pants. They don't come with the flap on the back pockets. He ordered the pants unhemmed and took them to a seamstress. He had her hem the pants and use the extra material for the flap of the back pockets. Neat idea.

D. Blank wrote:Did LL bean change the item number? I wanted to see the pants if I put the TA25771 nuber into the search I get only the quick shop page: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... &x=15&y=16

and if I seach by description I get these pants: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... sc1=Search

TA25771 is the ticket.

They don't show any pictures of the TA25771

D. Blank wrote:They don't show any pictures of the TA25771

Yeah, they used to. The pictures are at the Indygear site.

Note the color in the picture is way off. In reality it's taupe and it is real close to the NH taupe.

But, but... you may want to call LLBean just to go over anything that might have changed with the TA25771. LLBean does have the reputation of changing designs or manufacturers without notice. Maybe I should order another pair just to see if they changed anything.


Also as another tip. Order your trousers unhemmed or with a longer length. Use the extra material to have a tailor scallop the pockets better.
Like this:


Below are the pockets from the LLBean pants.

-S

I really need to pick me up a few pairs of these while I continue my search for Indy's Cardigan from MotB. My other Indy pants a looking a bit worn, I just hope they have some in stock somewhere at the mall, so I can save myself from ordering and putting more money on the credit card.

You have convinced me. Now I just want to be sure before I order:

I order TA25771 from Pyro's link (quickshop)
I order them in taupe
Its best to get them unhemmed at a longer length
Anything else? The sizing is ok - not run big or small or anything?

Ken

IK,
Just throwing this out here.

Here is the link I use to order them.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... sc1=Search

I have the taupe and the navy and they were both ordered on seperate occasions. I ordered them in the wrinkle-resistant, No cuffs. And to me, they look great.


Just sharing,
Pyro.

Thanks Pyro... it may not be long before I get some now... oh where is my money going...

Ken

I have a pair also and they are very nice . I recommend them too


Regards,
Indiana*Jones

Well I just got off the phone with the Product Support group at LLBean. They admitted that this seldom happens at LLBean but product Item #: TA25771 and TA43153 are identical. I told the specialist that I wanted to know the precise differences down to the color, pocket flap, manufacturer,etc. I pretended that these were for uniforms.

So the bottom line there is no difference except that the color availability is more under TA43153 (for some reason). Taupe is available under both.

I hope this clears this up, cause I really got confused with this discussion. Especially if you ever dealt with LLBean, their item #'s seldom change or get duplicated. This was extremely odd.

-S

That's good to know. So......why the stretch blend of cotton and lycra? The wrinkle resistant cotton is ten bucks less and I thought a more desirable material. Has anyone a pair of these? Thougths? Comments?

MK wrote:That's good to know. So......why the stretch blend of cotton and lycra? The wrinkle resistant cotton is ten bucks less and I thought a more desirable material. Has anyone a pair of these? Thougths? Comments?

Lycra adds stretch to clothing. Despite its flexibility, the material is still quite durable, and will wear well for long periods of time if properly cared for. When combined with cotton, it adds the stretch and breathability along with durability. So you have the best of both worlds. Lycra is a Dupont brand of the generic product spandex.

So in my personal opinion, that additional $10 uplift in price is to pay for the branding by Dupont and I would have to say the durability that will be provided for a longer wearing product.

MK, you may buy another one in the lycra/cotton blend just to compare. Or you can call LLBean and tell them you are doing a full DEFCON1 review on adventure pants. Who knows how they will react.

And to answer your question, I have two pairs of these cotton/lycra blend. Why? Well I ordered mine last year under item # 25771 and that is the only choice in fabric material. It's 98/2 blend, so I think I'm wearing cotton all the time. BTW, I have had these pants for over 1 1/2 years and not a sign of wear.

-Sergei

Does anyone know what is the item number for the wrinkle resistant cotton?

D. Blank wrote:Does anyone know what is the item number for the wrinkle resistant cotton?

Well using the above link from Pyro, it is TA43154. The link that Pyro posted showed the 3 different choices: the 60/40 poly, the shrink restitant cotton (TA43154 ) and the 98/2 cotton/lycra.

-S

Indiana Josh wrote:My other Indy pants a looking a bit worn, ...

Sound like some University of Michaelson natural distressing to me!

In keeping with the LL Bean part of this thread, does anyone here ever wear their LL Bean pants (or MBA for that matter) to go hiking or camping?

I.J.

I would wear them hiking with my Aldens, but when camping I will leave both at home. I prefer my military hot weather pants with the legs stuffed into my Timberland boots. Mine shafts are a dirty place. Having the legs tucked in your boots keeps the dirt out.......and you don't have to worry about a field mouse running up your leg. ;-)

It should also be said they can be replaced for far less money too.

I’ve got to throw this in, guys. I have owned several pairs of the taupe L.L. Bean “Indy” style pants, in varying styles over the last few years. Yes, I love them and yes I get a lot of wear out of them. Still, after recently ordering a pair of Noel Howard "Raiders" pants, the Bean versions just don’t do it for me anymore in the accuracy department (in comparison, of course. I realize we’re talking about an alternative pant here).

I probably would never have gone for the Noel versions, if Bean hadn’t decided to change their product again (in this case, the “Indy” pants) by adding a PERMENANT crease down each pant leg. THAT’S RIGHT, all versions of the taupe L.L. Bean “Indy” trousers in Natural Fit come with that D@M permanent crease down the middle of each leg. And, unlike Noel’s pair, this crease CANNOT be taken out by your local dry cleaner. Even if the pants are ironed flat (or even sandblasted), on the crease, the line will always be there, and, subsequently wear more on this raised portion of the pants because it’s rubbing anything that comes in contact with the pants more often . . .So, eventually, what you get is a white-ish taupe pin-stripe line going down the middle of each pant leg.

A year ago Bean didn’t have this crease in their “Indy” pants. Now, they do. I tried to have them make me a pair without adding the crease, but was stonewalled. If not for that crease, I’d be ordering more pants from them today. But as for now, I’m waiting with hopes they’ll go back to the “old” way before I place another order.

I hope this helps. And hey, let me know if they’ve dropped the crease thing. A lot can happen in 4 months.

-Jonesing.

You are quite right.

This press-fold is a real bugger. And its unbeatable so far.
I´ve need to work on my contacts to get a solution to make
these go away.
They dont go with the Indy-style.

The pants are, however, state of the art, and very Indy-like.

Best regards

JAN

This is nae good news. A pressed crease down the centre... my instincts say NH but my wallet says LL Bean. Decisions

Ken

FYI:

My new pants from Bean don't have the crease.

MK, What was the exact pair you bought? I would like to buy a pair but I don't want the crease. Thanks

I got the ones listed on the gear site.

My pair just came in today. They are very nice pants, almost too nice for me. Oh, and mine have the crease...

Rob

OK, the gear website the item # is TA25771. Rob, out of completeness, what was the item # you ordered. I seem to get frustrated on the details.

Thanks in advance,
-S

I think I ordered TA43154, but it does not say on my invoice. I thought they were the same as the TA25771 only wrinkle-resistant. Still nice pants.

Rob

When ordering from LL Bean, should I order a waist size that I normally get (34's) or, since men's pants list waist sizes generally 3 - 4 inches less than the actual waist, order pant using my actual waist size?

Jess,
Order your normal waist size. Just make sure to get them open hemmed. That way you can use the extra material from the legs and have a tailor make the rear pockets properly sculpted from the extra material. You dig?

-Sergei

I can dig that! Peace Sergei

FYI for anyone intested in buying a pair of the TA25771 in sizes 33 - 36, I just spoke with customer service and they informed me that they are currently out of stock and they won't be available for another 60 days. I guess the TA43152 will have to do for now.

The Beans are nice pants. Soft, heavy weight, but not heavy. Structurally sound.

Here's my crease elimination research results:

1 part vinegar to 8 parts water

Spritz it on, iron. "Good for setting creases or removing them."

BUT, I have not tried that myself yet. The tip also said to try in an inconspicuous area first, so I think I'll try it on another pair of pants that have this idiosyncrasy.

Be sure to use white vinegar.

Just as a reminder, TA25771 does NOT have the crease. So it maybe worth waiting for. This item # (TA25771 )is what was originally posted at Indygear. Just as an fyi, I talked to the customer rep at LLBean about this item (TA25771 ), even though it is not listed anymore, you can still buy it. They did verify, that the only difference was the crease.

-Sergei

Not to confuse things further, but it does seem to depend on when you purchased them. Currently, the TA43152 comes in a cotton blend, 60% cotton/40% polyester at $46 and the TA43154 is a Wrinkle-resistant cotton at $48 (like the LL Bean site says). The TA25771 is the older number for the pair that is 98% cotton/2% Lycra (which gives the fabric a bit of stretch/bounce to the entire fabric, not just in the waist like some pants) which is no longer an option on the newer numbers/fabrics pictured on the site.

Having bought both the TA43154 and TA25771 offerings at various times last year, you would be hard pressed to notice this 2% Lycra in durability wearing them, although it does seem to give them a bit more of a sheen and little more of a smooth drape IMHO with both being great looking pants and extremely durable. I purchased several pairs in taupe, light brown, and the khaki in both fabrics, the taupe being my favorite. When I got mine last June, the TA25771 was $59, whereas now, the site lists them for $44.95, so actually now THEY are the cheapest of the three fabrics offered for whatever reason. As far a the permanent crease questions are concerned, I honestly cannot recall whether either fabric came with it or not at that time, but after repeated cleaning, and wearings, neither has them now. But if this is a BIG concern, I would heed Sergi’s advice, and put in a order for the TA25771 at the ‘nice price’ and wait and also his advice in getting them open hemmed to use the extra material for the rear pockets if you decide to go the extra step.