I've worn Maine Guide parkas for several years and have been totally satisfied with the warmth, comfort, pockets, etc of the previous version. I decided to purchase a new Maine Guide parka this year. The new design has seriously degraded the parka. The fit is too snug. The pockets are very poorly designed. The hood is not insulated and doesn't fit well. The front zipper is a cheap piece of junk. The price is clearly much too high for such poor design and quality. In contrast to the previous Maine Guide design which I recommended to many people I would not recommend this parka to anyone.
I agree with a number of the comments about the older style MW Parka. I was crushed when the switched to a 3 in 1 model. I have an older Red Jacket and was going to get a black one to use over a suit after a few wicked winters in Manhattan - if you take the ferry from NJ you know what I mean. The biggest problem I've seen with 3 in 1 systems is the compromise when the liner is in the shell. The fit is too tight and restricted. The shell alone is usually too bulky and loose, the liner usually fits well.
PLEASE go back to the basic model that made Bean untouchable - and attracted the Maine Forrest Service.
First I'd like I don't normally write reviews, and this is my first, but I feel I have to address some things I've read on here.
First, I notice people complaining about the fact the liner doesn't extend to the bottom of the shell. That is because this is a 3-1 parka. That means it's designed so that it can be worn 3 different ways, Just the shell, the shell and the liner, or just the liner. This is a goose down liner. Who would want to wear a goose down liner that extends bellow your bottom? It's made to be fashionable, and this fact hardly compromises the warmth factor.
Second, I also notice a few complaints about the amount of pockets. Can you really have too many pockets?? All you need to do is remember where you put your items, or only utilize a few easy to access pockets and you'll be fine. I like it because I can leave a knit cap in one of the inside pockets, and know that if it's cold I always have one on hand. I don't have to remember to grab one. That leads me to another point I'd like to make.
This parka was obviously designed to be worn in FRIDGED temperatures. If the hood was insulated I feel it would be too bulky to wear a hat underneath. I like that it's not, because like I said, I always have a knit cap in the pocket and when I wear it, and put the hood up, the hood doesn't get stuck on on my cap. I can turn my head with no problems of the hood snagging, falling off etc.
Zipper. The only thing I can say about the zipper is that I do agree it could be built a little tougher. Seems like the same zipper on my lightweight fleece. No getting used to. Just make sure you don't bend over when trying to zip up and you'll be fine. It's a parka, so it has a long zipper.... One more thing about the zipper. Recently (one of the first times I wore the liner alone) The zipper on the pocket snagged horribly. I can't get it unstuck. Thankfully I live near Freeport, and with Beans unbelievable satisfaction gauruntee, it won't be a problem exchanging it.
Italian winter can be really nasty: extra cold and lots of rain. This jacket keeps me warm and dry. And can also be used during less cold periods using the gore tex shell separately over a light sweather. The zips quality could be improved and the pockets are not very well designed; these are the only two 'defects' of a great jacket.
