ProsDurable, Great Value, Comfortable, Performing as Expected
I LOVE this jacket! I have worn this jacket in varying types of weather without being cold or too warm. Light precipitation beads up & rolls off. I especially like the fact the compressed nature of the jacket-very easy to fold into its own pocket and provides a flattering look; not "bulky" looking like a down jacket. This jacket has been worn walking the dog in 40 degree weather and worn alone in 0 degree weather. Well worth the money and a great LL Bean product.
These jackets run at least one size too small, maybe two sizes. It looks good, but I couldn't even zip it. It is supposed to be the same size as all of my other jackets.
ProsDurable, Great Value, Comfortable, Performing as Expected
This is pretty much the best jacket I've ever owned. While there are a few things LLBean could do to make it even better, overall its a marvelous jacket.
I have worn this daily for about one-month now and find it flawless. Its very warm yet not excessively so. I've worn this skiing a couple of days in single-digit temps with 10-15mph winds, wearing only a polypro t-shirt and thin fleece shirt underneath. On the lifts, fully zipped I was perfectly warm. At the bottom of runs I had to open zippers to vent. It was great. Even brushed several trees and came away unsnagged.
I also have been wearing this casually to work on a daily basis. Because of the slim fit and non-excessive design I don't feel like I'm wearing my "gear". Its a subtle yet nice looking jacket without looking like I'm trying to show off. Love the look. In addition, I'm wearing it over thin dress shirts and it keeps me very warm, yet on warm days its not overheating.
First: fit. I'm 5'9", 165lb and the medium is a perfect fit. A very comfy slim fit with no excess draping, falls to just below top of hip bone, fits close to chest without being anywhere close to tight.
Second: weight-to-warmth. As noted, I've put it through single digit lows and 40-50 F highs and been comfortable in all ranges. But what's really amazing is how light it weighs. At first its unsettling: you don't think something that thin and light could keep you warm, but it absolutely does.
Third: features. It packs down into its own pocket into what can be a small pillow for travel or camping, and also compresses nicely for packing in a bag or carryon. The pockets are nicely lined with fleece and so is the neck where it meets your face. Also love the hood: nicely shaped without being obtrusive and features cinch-strings in all the right places.
As noted, the jacket is flawless in my opinion, but there are a few things LL Bean could do to make it even better.
Hood: It may be worth making the hood a bit smaller through the top yet wider on the sides. This would enable it to fit better over ski helmets.
Pockets: I'd love to see the hand pockets placed a bit higher on the chest. Primary reason would be to be able to access them when wearing a backpack with waist belt. Additional benefit would be to allow you to place your hands on your chest which seems to help warming of both.
Neck: It may be helpful to raise the neckline about 1/2" or so. When fully zipped and hooded mine is falling just below my nose, so would be great to be able to zip high enough to get the schnoz some warming/protection, too.
Neck Lining: Would be nice to have the fleece lining on the neck wrap around just a bit wider. On really cold days skiing the lining collects moisture from exhaling, so having a wider swath to breath into can help disperse things.
Chest Pocket: Would like to either have the external chest pocket feature fleece lining like the hand pockets, or, even better, create an internal chest pocket (ideally with fleece lining). Point would be to create a safe spot for iPod, cell phone, and/or sunglasses.
Again, these recommendations would be ways to make a great jacket even better. Best jacket I've owned.
ProsGreat Value, Comfortable, Performing as Expected
I LOVE this jacket!! Today was the first day I wore it: 25 degrees, 35 mph winds. I started out on my five mile walk with a sweatshirt and turtleneck under the jacket, but after two miles I returned home and removed the sweatshirt because I was too hot! The jacket is simply amazing. It is delightfully lightweight and to be able to walk for 1.5 hours in such blustery conditions with just a turtleneck under the jacket: wonderful!
