I've been shopping at LL Bean for over 30 years and this jacket is the best buy I've made in that time. It's really well made, lightweight, warm and comfortable to wear. Final test was yesterday, when I wore it as a top coat over a heavy sports coat. It slid right over and was perfect. I have no explanation why it's on sale. It's certainly worth the original sales price in my opinion.
On chilly, wet days I wear this coat from my parking lot to work (2 blocks) and for walks in town. It weighs almost nothing. It is very water and wind proof. So far it keeps me warm, but it is just now dropping below freezing here. I bought my usual large size. It is almost too snug over a sport jacket. The coat falls just to the bottom of my knee, and I have short legs. Sleeves are long on me but the Velcro cuff-closure cures that. Zipper works well. Zipper flap keeps out wind and light rain very well. Velcro closures on the zipper flap are easy to use. It doesn't have a real collar, but the collar area closes around the neck well. Hood fits well, tightens around the face to keep out wind and water and is warm. Side pockets are well placed and big enough. The pocket zippers close by zipping up, rather than down. That is not a big deal but is a pet peeve of mine. Pocket inside the lapel is well placed, but is very deep. That is good for carrying light things, but a wallet rides below the chest a few inches.
I have used this jacket for quite some time. I just had the opportunity to use the jacket in a storm at Virgina Beach. 60mph winds with rain that was like a wall of water. It Worked! The jacket is the best I have ever used. No leaks!
I have two other LL Bean coats in the same size (Regular Medium) that are said to "fall below the knee" and they do. This coat is a full 3-1/2" shorter than the others so that it extends only to about the middle of the kneecap. The sleeves, on the other hand, are the same length as my other Medium Bean coats. The coat is, however, so nicely made and so comfortable that I'm keeping it anyway. Bean should clarify the description of the length of this coat.
