Zippers are not up to LL Bean level of quality and down inside jacket has thin top cover that leaks feathers. Looks like a large red bird molting. Good for around town, but not for serious outdoor work or wear. Will give it another week of trial and will probably return for refund.
i spend a lot of time outdoors and need warm coats that also protect against wind and wet. This coat just misses for the simple reason I have great difficulty zipping it up. This coat would fit the bill except half the time I cannot zip it up! The coat is very warm, if.... Without being able to zip it up, it is not very warm or windproof! LLB definately needs to get the zipper re-worked. This is not acceptable for a Bean product. Briing back the All Conditons coat.
I just bought the Maine Warden's Parka from an LL Bean store. I was looking for a new jacket that would provide warmth because I have a very low tolerance for cold even here in Virginia (you folks in Minnesota & Maine are probably falling down laughing at me), and be versatile for travel, work and sports. The primary reasons I picked this coat were: 1) Gortex outerlayer; 2) ability to detach not only the liner, but also the hood and the snow/wind skirt (I find snow skirts annoying and hadn't seen one that detaches before); 3) all the pockets (unfortunately, women's jackets are always skimpy when it comes to pockets.) It doesn't seem any heavier to me than comparable jackets from other companies. It's oversized (I'm a 5'5" woman) but comfortable on me. The side zips and two way zipper are nice but it's cut so generously I doubt I'd need to use them. The hood fits better than any hood I've had on any other coat in that it's roomy but I'm not lost in it -- it stays up but I can still see. It doesn't look stupid when it's up either. Having all the pockets is great but I'd recommend LL Bean make the following improvements on the next version: 1) ditch the useless tiny cell phone pocket; 2) I agree with another commentator that all the horizontal pockets would be better served by velcro closures than zippers. The access is tight and zipper teeth a little harsh; 3) handwarmer pockets could be better lined -- actually, all the pockets could be better insulated; 4) a small sleeve pocket would be a nice addition.
