I am very happy with this purchase. The fit is very comfortable and flattering. It seems to have a lot of give. For it's light weight it is quite warm. Perfect for active days outside in Michigan's chilly winter.
I received this fleece jacket for my birthday this year and so far love everything about it. My birthday is in December and I have already worn it and it keeps you much warmer than you would expect from such a light weight jacket. I love the style and fit, it is just what I was looking for. I cant wait until the spring to wear it hiking and camping. I am so happy with it that I would like to buy something similar for my husband.
I highly recommend getting this as a mid layer if you live in cold climes and plan on using it for non-sport use. The fit is very flattering and comfortable: the shoulders aren't tight (like some of the newer coats produced by LLBean), the waist is fitted (great for me), and the arm length is just right.
I was looking for a fleece that fit under my "all season 3-in-1 coat" by LLBean which I purchased last year. The coat is already insulated and would be fine for regular commuting, but when walking an aging dog in Boston - with wind-chills freezing you 10 degrees sub actual temps - one really needs layers, esp. when said dog crawls at a snail's pace during morning and evening walks....
Because the 3-in-1 is a little tight on the shoulders/chest area, I needed a fleece that didn't bunch anywhere from the neck to armpit. This fit the bill. I really wanted to get the Wind Challenger, but LLBean doesn't produce it in XS, nor is it fitted.
I agree with other reviewers that this is slightly pricey for what you get, and definitely not a wind-blocker - hence, the mid-layer rec. But if you're active in it (I ran in this one - after all, it's a sports fleece), it breathes nicely as an outer layer as you sweat. Plus, since it's fitted, it doesn't bunch anywhere while you're running/stretching.
However, if LLBean ever makes a fitted, XS Wind Challenger, I'd swap this in a heartbeat. (^__^)
