I finally got my husband the perfect gift! The jacket has zippered armpits, the unbelievable Gore-Tex, is lightweight, and a perfect top layer for climbing Mt. Whitney! He's wearing it already as he hikes and climbs & says it's everything LLBean promised!
This is one great Gore-Tex Pro shell...fully equal to the high end 'brand names' but priced ⅓ below them. I've worn mine in hard wind driven rains and haven't experienced a single leak thus far. Further, I've worn it for extended periods in the 0°F range and have yet to experience the zipper problems others complain of. So maybe that irritant has been fixed in this year's production run.
Highly recommended for anyone who needs a pro-level shell with these waterproof/breathable characteristics.
Having said that, I wish LL Bean would contract with someone to produce a similar jacket with the newer eVent material. From personal experience, the eVent fabric is the most breathable stuff currently made and it's cheaper than the Gore-Tex Pro material. Making a high-end shell out of it should allow LL Bean to offer a pro-level jacket at an even more attractive price point.
PROS: Great quality. The Gore-Tex material is sturdy but not too heavy. Breathes very well. Great construction and features.
CONS: The fit is not great. It's both too long and too roomy. I ordered a men's Large/Tall. I'm a 6'2", 200lbs and wear a 44 long jacket. The sleeves are perfect but it is too big across the chest even with a baselayer and fleece under it and it's much too long. This is realy more of a parka length than a jacket length. Overall, it's just a bit "tenty". I like ski gear to have a close fit. The product description of this product says "fits close to the body for function and performance". I don't think this statement is true.
And lest you say "but you ordered the Tall size, of course it's longer" - I also own the Ascent Primaloft jacket in a men's Large/Tall and that jacket fits MUCH better. It has a perfect body length and a closer fit - but still takes a sweater under it without being too big or too roomy.
Overall, this jacket is an incredible value and very high quality but I will be returning it because the fit is not good for me.
If you like your jackets on the roomy and long side, then this jacket is perfect.
Other than it may be a bit pricey, so far I have not found any thing I don't like about this jacket. It has kept me warm and dry on many occasions especially if you pair it with the Ascent Polartec Fleece Jacket. If you do decide to layer it over a fleece I would suggest going one size larger than the fleece. I was never a big fan of jackets with hoods but this one works well and remains flat and out of the way when not in use, and handy when the wind picks up. If I did have to change one thing about the jacket I would make the hood removable.
