The only way I know how to survive the arctic chill of winter is to swaddle myself in as many comfortable, cozy things as possible. Blankets, robes, sweaters, fuzzy socks, slippers—and all at the same time, so I look like the kid inA Christmas Story who can’t put his arms down. Dramatic? Maybe. Essential for my mental well-being? Absolutely.
If you’re also stocking up on cozy winter must-haves, L.L.Bean likely has whatever it is you seek: As evidenced by its cozy flannel sheets and ever-popular moccasins, the New England-based retailer understands the necessity of keeping warm in the wintertime. At Wirecutter, we recommend a lot of winter gear made by L.L.Bean—and its annual sale, which starts today, November 14, is the best time of year to invest in most of this stuff. From now until 11:59 p.m. on November 19, you can grab the Bean gear you’ve been eyeing for the best prices offered all year with the coupon code SAVE25. There’s a $50 minimum purchase for free shipping, otherwise you pay $6 for orders under the threshold. Though you probably won’t have too hard a time meeting the minimum, we’ve included shipping in our prices on items below $50 so you know what to expect.
Whether you’re shopping for the things that’ll help you enjoy the weather (like waterproof snow boots or sturdy sleds) or the things that’ll help you endure it (like flannel robes and sheets), now is as good a time as any to invest.
A warm base layer
L.L.Bean Cresta Wool Ultralight 150 Base Layer Long-Sleeve $50 shipped with code SAVE25 (from $59)
A drop in temperature doesn’t mean you have to stay inside—but you should bundle up before heading out. Whether you’re suiting up to go for a run, spend the day on the slopes, or shovel the driveway, wearing a thermal underwear top as your first layer is a good way to keep warm. The L.L.Bean Cresta Wool Ultralight 150 Base Layer offers all the advantages of a pricier wool top—wicking, warming, and odor minimizing—for an affordable price. As our runner-up pick for best thermal underwear, the Cresta is made from soft and stretchy merino wool. Its yearlong return policy, paired with how well it performs for its relatively low price, makes this thermal top is a particularly good deal, especially with the 25 percent discount.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Cresta Wool Ultralight 150 Base Layer Long-Sleeve.
Reliable snow boots
L.L.Bean Snow Sneakers 4, Mid Lace-Up (men’s, women’s)$89 with code SAVE25 (from $119)
Metaphorically speaking, you can’t put a price tag on a good pair of dependable snow boots. Once winter descends and the ground slicks over with ice, you’ll be happy you invested in something with excellent traction. L.L.Bean’s snow sneakers are a solid option for hikers (and can also be worn around town while you run errands). As a variant pick, they’re comfortable, warm, agile, and provide the stability you’ll need to keep upright.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Snow Sneakers 4, Mid Lace-Up.
A sturdy snow tube
L.L.Bean Sonic Snow Tube $97 with code SAVE25 (from $129)
No school, countless mugs of steaming cocoa, hours playing in the snow—the only thing that can make winter weather better than that is a top-notch snow tube on which you careen down powder-covered hills. Of all the tubes Wirecutter tested, the Sonic Snow Tube offered the fastest and smoothest ride, out-sliding all of the competition. It’s easy to inflate, didn’t lose any air, and worked well on both both powdery and crunchy snow. The price is steep even with the discount, but it’s a quality tube worth the investment if your family sleds regularly.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Sonic Snow Tube.
A warm hug for your feet
L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins (men’s, women’s)$59 with code SAVE25 (from $79)
If you’ve been on the hunt for a quality pair of slippers that won’t fall apart by the end of winter, you can’t do better than L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins, which live up to their name as our top pick for the best slippers. The moccasins are lined by soft, plush shearling that keep your feet warm and cozy—one reviewer described the lining as “a warm hug for your feet.” They’re long-lasting, which makes them well worth the money, especially because the supportive rubber outsoles mean these slippers are durable enough to wear outside from time to time.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins.
Little slippers for little feet
L.L.Bean Toddlers’ Fleece Slippers $21 shipped with code SAVE25 (from $20)
Little feet deserve to be encased in cushiony, warm slippers too. The L.L.Bean Toddler Fleece Slippers do more than just keep their tiny toes toasty, though: The suede soles provide enough traction to prevent slipping on hard floors, and the elastic cuff keeps the slippers firmly in place, no matter how wiggly your preschooler may be. At only $15 (plus shipping, if you don’t meet the $50 minimum purchase), you might want to consider buying a second pair in a larger size so you’ll have them on hand when your toddler outgrows the first.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Toddlers’ Fleece Slippers.
Snow-day favorite
L.L.Bean Kids’ Pull Sled and Cushion Set $134 with code SAVE25 (from $179)
Want to get in the holiday spirit? Become a living embodiment of a Christmas song by dashing through the snow. If you can’t get your hands on a one-horse open sleigh, a sled will do just fine. The L.L.Bean Kids’ Pull Sled’s wood construction is durable and elegant, and the accompanying cushion set offers comfortable padding for your kid’s tush. It glides over ice and crusty snow as easily as it pulls through snowy powder. Though the sled is a bit pricey, its solid construction means it could possibly last for generations.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Kids’ Pull Sled and Cushion Set.
A cozy, lounge-around-the-house robe
L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe (men’s, women’s)$53 with code SAVE25 (from $70)
I can’t think of a better way to spend a cold afternoon than swaddled in a comfy robe with a mug of warm cocoa in hand. The Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe is our pick for the best around-the-house-robe for a reason: It’s softer than other flannel robes we tested and extremely lightweight, making it easy to wear all day long without sweating. With sleeves that fit close to the body, no loose fabric under the armpits, and cuffs that stay smooth and flat even after a cycle in the wash, the Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe is well worth the money.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’sScotch Plaid Flannel Robe.
A robe made with kids in mind
L.L.Bean Kids’ Fleece Robe $40 shipped with code SAVE25 (from $45)
For kids who would rather move around on a chilly morning than cuddle up under a blanket, a robe is a good way to ensure they aren’t freezing their little bums off. L.L.Bean’s Kids’ Fleece Robe is soft, warm, and thin enough to allow kids the range of movement their boundless energy needs. Put together with little ones in mind, this robe hits an inch or two below the knee so kids won’t trip, and the belt is attached so they won’t lose it. The quality of the robe is great too, lasting longer and picking up minimal lint and static.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Kids’ Fleece Robe.
Thin but warm
L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket (full/queen)$97 with code SAVE25 (from $129)
If you’re not ready to pull out the heavy-duty down comforter but still need an extra layer at night, a thin but weighty blanket may offer the warmth and comfort you need. The L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket is a simple, no-fuss blanket with a slightly fuzzy back and smoother woven front that drapes well. Of the cotton blankets Wirecutter tested, the Maine-Made snagged the least and had the least amount of pulling after a wash, too. If you like that its nautical look reminds you of warmer months, now is a great time to snag a great blanket.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket.
Soft, fuzzy sheets
L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets (queen)$89 with code SAVE25 (from $119)
Sliding into a bed covered in warm flannel sheets sets you up for some solid Zzzs. As our top pick, the well-constructed L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets last long, providing a wonderfully cozy sleep even after years of use. These fuzzy, soft sheets are good for people who crave comfiness but don’t want to wake up drenched in sweat. Though they’re not the softest sheets we tested (those would be our upgrade pick, the L.L.Bean Premium Supima Flannel Sheets), the Ultrasoft’s relatively low price makes them the best flannel sheets on the market.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets.
Cozy comforter cover
L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Comforter Cover (queen) $64 with code SAVE25 (from $85)
If you’ve already outfitted your bed with flannel sheets, wrapping your comforter in a flannel cover is just the next step in achieving maximum hygge. The L.L.Bean’s Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Comforter Cover, our top pick, is the warmest, softest cover we tested. The fleecy fabric will keep you toasty on super-cold nights and, unlike other flannel covers, the material only gets softer with each wash. As one of the most affordable covers on our list, the Ultrasoft is a must-have for anyone looking to turn their bed into a haven this winter.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Comforter Cover.
Soft, cool sheets
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets (queen) $112 with code SAVE25 (from $149)
For some warm-blooded people, flannel sheets sounds like a nightmare. If you fall into that camp, you’d probably prefer a pair of lighter cotton percale sheets. The L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets have been Wirecutter’s top pick for four years now, and for good reason: They’re comfortable, very breathable, and reasonably priced. You won’t wake up sweaty and confused—but you won’t be as cozy on a cold winter night as you’d be with the flannel sheets. Still, these percale sheets give you a crisp, cool, clean feeling as you slide into bed at night.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets.
A long-lasting comforter cover
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Comforter Cover (queen) $97 with code SAVE25 (from $129)
If you’re averse to flannel sheets, you’re probably not the biggest fan of flannel comforter covers either. A good alternative is the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Comforter, which is made of the same material as the percale sheets we recommend. As our pick for the best long-lasting comforter cover, this percale cover can endure a house full of small kids and pets who love to scramble into bed with you. The fabric, seams, and button closures can withstand a dog’s playful chewing and dirty paws, spilled chocolate milk, and the many subsequent washings.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Comforter Cover.
Our favorite down comforter
L.L.Bean Baffle-Box Stitch Down Comforter, Warm (queen) $284 with code SAVE25 (from $379)
If you’ve already loaded your cart with sheets and a comforter cover, you may as well toss in a comforter to complete your bedding makeover. The Baffle-Box Stitch Down Comforter is our top pick for the best comforter for a reason: It’s warm and cozy, yet light and breathable, making for an excellent night’s sleep. The unique baffle boxes keep the down from shifting and pooling to one side and also give the down room to puff up, which makes it feel more luxurious than similarly priced comforters we tested. L.L.Bean’s 25 percent discount makes this a great time to invest in this comfy down comforter—the only downside is you’ll be reluctant to leave your bed in the morning.
Read our review of L.L.Bean’s Baffle-Box Stitch Down Comforter.
