PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 1, 2023
L.L.Bean Inc., the famed Freeport retailer that got its start 111 years ago selling boots for wet weather, has been sued for false advertising by a New York woman who says some of the company’s boots aren’t waterproof as claimed. Linda Lenzi filed a class action against the iconic Maine company seeking more than $5 million in damages for tens of thousands of potential class members. Lenzi purchased Women’s Storm Chaser Boots with a zipper closure in March 2020. The boots were advertised as waterproof. Ms. Lenzi experienced water leakage in those boots after wearing them outside on an inclement weather day in 2020, the complaint states. L.L.Bean has modified some marketing materials and product descriptions since. The company now admits its zippers are not waterproof. The L.L.Bean Customer Satisfaction team said, “The boots are waterproof up to the zipper base. You are more than welcome to return the boot to us.”