This jacket is not worth the money. The jacket seems very thin with little protection from the wind. It also is small for the size. I would reccomend ordering a size bigger than you think you wear. Overall, not a good investment.
The jacket is warmer than it's weight indicates. Normal to strong winds just do not penetrate this jacket. It is sleek and stylish. This is my "go to" jacket for in town errands or country weekends. I am glad to have made the purchase.
I just ordered this jacket and I love it - it looks great, it fits great, it's warm, and the wind and water resistance is excellent.
For the price, though, I feel compelled to share my frustrations with some small but ultimately important features that don't make the grade. There are exactly four things wrong with it that make me wonder whether it's worth the rather high price for a fleece:
1. The sleeves should be lined so it's easier to slip it on and off over a lightweight sweater or long-sleeve shirt. The fleece in the sleeves catches on my shirtsleeves, which makes it hard to put on.
2. The pockets are mesh. My hands are actually kind of cold in the pockets. Why aren't they lined with fleece?
3. The zipper is cheap. This is a tiny thing but for a jacket that costs so much, I'd expect a high-quality zipper. This one feels light and cheap and sticks.
4. The nylon that runs over the shoulders and down the arms doesn't cover the elbows. It runs about two inches away from where it should protect the elbows from wearing out.
These are all easy fixes for LL Bean and I sure hope they make them in the next iteration of this jacket. If not for these 4 design flaws, this jacket would get 5 stars, no question. With those flaws, I'm not sure I can recommend this jacket anywhere near its current price.
And since I paid so much for it, I doubt I'll be able to afford to replace it with an improved version if and when they fix these design flaws.
Purchased this jacket for cool, wet fall and spring days. Although the jacket is lightweight (much lighter than the one it replaced, made by another manufacturer), it's warm and stops the wind. My phone and checkbook fit nicely in the very convenient chest pocket. The black/black looks good. I'm 6'1" and ~160lbs. so I ordered a tall medium size--fits closely although maybe a *touch* too long in the arms. Most clothing I buy, though, tends to be too short or too loose so this size is fine for me.
I'd agree with other reviewers on the hand pockets--the mesh lining is ineffective. A redesign of the jacket should include fleece-lined pockets for warmth. Overall, however, I'm very pleased with this purchase. Comfort and fit are very good.
