I just got back from a walk in my new coat (with a t-shirt and heavy sweatshirt under it). It's 25 degrees with a 15 mph wind. My arms and thighs were quite cool the whole walk. This coat leaks. I could feel the wind right through it. It's a shame because I like the construction. The closure at the neck is nice and snug, and the hood is insulated as well as the jacket. But it's cut snug enough that I won't be able to put either my snow pants or a heavy fleece layer under it. And it's just not that warm.
Bottom line? It's a nice coat for warmer areas. If you only need your coat to take you to around 15, you don't wear more than a light sweater under your coat (or you order a size up), and if you don't get much wind in the winter, I recommend it. If you get -20 to -30 with -40 to -50 wind chills like we do here, this is not the coat you want. I'm sending mine back.
This is my second 3/4 Length Ultrawarm LLBean coat. The first my mom purchased as a gift for me 6 years ago in black. I grabbed it without thinking of what I needed to wear to work or play. When the cold weather hit that was my coat. Now I have one in brown, for a little variety, to wear to work and out at night. The coat is wonderfully warm and long to keep more of the body warmer than a short jacket. No sitting on cold car seats anymore! Most important, as mom has passed, it reminds me of her and the day we shopped together for a coat. Every time I put it on I thank my mom for another wise choice.
