I like the lightweight fleece fabric of this and it is comfortable but the third time I wore this the zipper stuck halfway down and I had to work it down to the bottom where it stuck for good. I am returning it. These chintzy zippers are not good. They put the same one on the pocket of a fitness pant I got and that immediately broke too.
ProsDurable, Great Value, Comfortable, not bulky but still warm
I recently took a 10-day trip to Italy. I bought several pieces from the LL Bean stores (retail & outlet) and online. Comfort Trail Pants, Capris, & Shorts Fitness Fleece Jacket Thinsulate Fitness Vest Pathfinder Soft-Shell Jacket Vista Fitness LS Shirt (Outlet)… too bad they don’t sell this shirt! Amazing comfortable fabric!!! Waterproof Storm Jacket Smartwool Socks All of these pieces were extremely lightweight and were not bulky, allowing me to be able to pack using ½ my suitcase (leaving room to bring stuff back from my trip). It also allowed me to be significantly under the weight limit at the airport.
The weather was in the 50’s and rainy. I brought tights to wear under the Comfort Trail Pants when it was colder. If I got wet, the pants dried very quickly. As far as the tops, I wore the long sleeve Vista top for 5 days and switched out the basic LL Bean tanks and short sleeve t-shirts underneath. Then, I layered the Fitness Fleece and Thinsulate Vest over. I added the Storm Jacket for really rainy weather to stay waterproof. At night when it was colder, I would wear the Pathfinder Soft-Shell Jacket. As the saying goes, pack “layers”. That is exactly what I did! Everything always looked great, because I bought everything in coordinating colors! I received many compliments on my wardrobe as well as how well I had traveled/packed.
I recommended everything to anyone who asked and even sent links from the LL Bean website to fellow travelers who inquired about specific pieces. I was literally a walking advertisement! It was the most perfect trip, especially because I was always comfortable, warm, and dry!
