Backside Line
Simply because L.L. Bean isn’t a techy efficiency outerwear model, doesn’t imply they don’t know find out how to maintain you heat and dry mid-winter. The Ultrawarm 3/4 Size Parka is a unbelievable choice for those who’re searching for an reasonably priced, trendy winter coat that doesn’t skimp on heat. The 650-fill water-repellent down offers cozy insulation, whereas the three/4 size affords further protection to your thighs, holding you heat and guarded.
Whether or not working errands, strolling the canine, or heading out in chilly climate, this coat has every thing you should keep comfortable and guarded. The waterproof shell and detachable hood are good for mild snow or rain, and the fleece-lined pockets and cuffs add a comfortable contact. It’s a straightforward decide from our checklist of the greatest winter jackets for girls who need an important coat with out breaking the financial institution.
How We Examined
We examined this down parka in NW Montana, on quick walks alongside the Flathead River and in Glacier Nationwide Park. We additionally examined the insulation and water-repellency with lab checks to see how lengthy the coat might fend off ambient temperatures and saturation.
Fast Specs
L.L. Bean Ultrawarm 3/4 Size Down Parka
Light-weight, & Packable Down Coat for Delicate Winters
CleverHiker Score:
4.3/5.0
Worth:
$250
Weight:
2 lb. 4.6 oz.
Insulation:
650 fill-power down
Size:
37 in.
Professionals
- Packs down
- Detachable hood and detachable fake fur ruff
- Snug
- Inexpensive
- Efficient hydrophobic down
- A number of colour and dimension choices
Cons
- Inside lining can fold out on the hood and cuffs
- Velcro collar system is not essentially the most purposeful
- Not heat sufficient under 20 levels
Heat
The L.L. Bean Ultrawarm 3/4 Size Parka is a heat, however not ultrawarm just like the title claims. It’s a heat and comfy choice for on a regular basis winter put on in circumstances as little as the 20s so long as a sweater is a part of the image. The 650-fill hydrophobic down retains you heat with out feeling overly cumbersome, making it nice for each metropolis residing and outside excursions.
Throughout our discipline testing, we discovered it affords wonderful insulation in reasonable to chilly temps. Our heat check confirmed that though the fill energy of the down was there, it wasn’t as efficient at trapping heat as others we examined. It took 86 minutes to drop 30 levels and attain ambient temperatures. Others we examined with the identical fill energy lasted twice as lengthy. We suspect that the fill weight may be decrease than its rivals, and the feathers won’t be evenly distributed or of the best high quality.
The three/4 size is a pleasant contact, holding your thighs heat and making it good for many who need a bit of further protection on chilly days. That mentioned, it’s not the warmest parka on the market, and we had been chilly standing in 17 diploma climate whereas sporting this down parka. So for those who’re braving something under 20 levels, you would possibly need to layer up or search for one thing thicker.
Climate Resistance
This parka’s water resistant polyester shell does a median job of holding out mild snow and rain, although we wouldn’t need to depend on it for lengthy walks in heavy precip. We examined it in mild snow, and it stayed dry, however throughout our soak check, it wetted by in 7 minutes. This check additionally revealed that the Downtek does dwell as much as its hydrophobic down guarantees. LL Bean claims the PFC-free water-repellent down helps repel moisture 10x so long as common down, and the feathers saved their loft even after water crossed by the jacket. We additionally seen that this helped the coat dry shortly.
The detachable insulated hood and pretend fur are a pleasant bonus for added climate safety. The velcro system for overlaying your chin seems like an afterthought by way of design, and we want this protection was extra snug and purposeful in case the wind is in your face.
Consolation & Performance
From the neck down, this parka nails it in consolation. The fleece-lined pockets are so cozy—good for slipping your arms into whenever you’re outdoors. The fleece cuffs additionally assist seal out the chilly and maintain every thing cosy.
The three/4 size is good for many winter actions—it’s lengthy sufficient to maintain you heat, however not so lengthy that it restricts motion. The detachable hood provides versatility, permitting you to regulate your protection primarily based on the climate.
There are a couple of design quirks, although. The velcro collar is connected to the hood, including an additional step as an alternative of simply zipping the coat and being accomplished. It isn’t the softest towards your chin/neck and velcro likes to get gross with canine/human hair/lint and so forth. Plus, for those who don’t shut the velcro and you’ve got longer hair, it might probably get caught within the velcro, which is usually a bit annoying. We eliminated the hood, and the annoyances had been solved, however that is one thing to pay attention to.
It additionally looks as if there’s an excessive amount of lining that may fold out on the cuffs and hood, which makes it simpler for moisture to make it to the within of the coat, and it doesn’t look as modern.
Options
The Ultrawarm 3/4 Size Parka retains issues easy and traditional, which provides to its general allure. The fleece-lined pockets and cuffs are a particular spotlight.
The detachable hood can be an important characteristic, particularly for those who get aggravated with the velcro collar.
There’s a pocket contained in the coat that we don’t perceive the design intention of. It’s huge sufficient to carry the telephone you had in 2006, however we discovered chapstick and hand heaters match nicely in there. We additionally appreciated the truth that this jacket is light-weight and packs down nicely, making it straightforward to retailer when not in use.
The metallic snap-closure storm flap and brass zipper supply a pleasant contact of favor.
Ought to You Purchase the LL Bean Ultrawarm 3/4 Size Coat?
Sure, for those who’re searching for a easy, reasonably priced winter coat that gives heat, consolation, and lasting fashion with out breaking the financial institution.
The L.L. Bean Ultrawarm 3/4 Size is a strong alternative for on a regular basis put on in reasonable to chilly temperatures. It’s significantly nice for informal outings and lightweight outside adventures, due to its water resistant shell, hydrophobic down insulation, and comfy fleece options.
It won’t be the warmest choice for excessive circumstances, however for the value, it delivers numerous worth. Should you’re after a jacket that’s sensible, snug, and doesn’t break the bank, this one is unquestionably value contemplating.
What Different Winter Jackets Ought to You Think about?
Try our different greatest winter jackets for girls or learn our in-depth critiques of some coats just like the Ultrawarm 3/4 Size:
Patagonia Down With It Overview: The Down With It’s a level-up in options and heat. The match is a bit more tailor-made and classy than the Ultrawarm.
REI Norseland Overview: Heavier, hotter, and a bit of extra fashionable, the Norseland is a superb different for those who aren’t planning on staying out in rain or snow storms.
Columbia Heavenly Overview: Should you just like the size, however its heat and options sound like overkill, the Heavenly is nice for extra energetic adventures or milder winters.
