Rated 3 out of 5 by InTheFieldInMO L.L. Bean Men's Upland Field Coat with Gore-Tex
I bought this coat, not so much for upland bird hunting (which I do a little bit of), but more for general nature activities (I'm a field ecologist) to benefit from the game bag for holding field guides, binoculars, specimens, etc. and its rain proofing. I did not want the blaze orange look, or the heavy weight and stiffness of typical tin-cloth field coats.
Pros: Good sizing, plenty roomy for a vest underneath. Front access to game bag well placed and easy to use; good access to game bag alongside and in back for cleaning. Snaps on bottom keep it close to your body in when not full of game or gear. Slick lining allows for easy on and off. It is light weight and bi-swing back and expansive pit design allow for excellent freedom of movement; you could split wood or other arm/shoulder intensive activity as well as long-gun shooting without any binding. Hand warmer pockets are well placed. Inside pocket for glasses with cleaning cloth was a nice touch and small zippered inside pocket could hold keys, but only a small mobile phone. I liked the sturdy snaps on the front flap and sleeves instead of Velcro; Velcro just gets clogged with crud in the field. I did not test it for water repellency or trek through heavy brush to test its abrasion/tear resistance.
Cons: This is a cool weather coat even though it?s unlined for warmth. Problem with Gor-tex waterproofing is it breathes poorly, so after 5 minutes up walking up hills at a good pace in 55 F temperatures it gets very clammy inside. Pit zips and bi-directional front zippers would be an improvement here to increase air circulation when it isn?t raining or when the day warms up. My biggest issue is the outside bellows pockets. They are rather small and have a snap only on the outside edge of the pocket flap. It can hold shot shells well in the elastic slots in both pockets, but there is little room for anything other than a pair of light gloves. The inside edge of the flap (near zipper) is actually securely sewn to the jacket. This makes access to the pocket difficult, especially if you have gloves on, prevents stuffing the flap inside the pocket when it?s not raining, and also greatly reduces the size of an object you can insert into the pocket. Why there aren't just two flap snaps beats me, unless all you want to do is securely store shot-shells and make sure they are easily accessible in a good rain and not have the pocket flap moving much. One could carefully cut this stitching out, but then that corner of the flap couldn?t be secured. But, hey, this is a $200+ coat; I shouldn?t have to cut the stitching for the pockets to function normally.
Final take. Unfortunately despite all the pros; I?m reluctantly returning. It is too damp inside during typical spring and fall weather in central Missouri if you are active enough to sweat. The outside bellows pockets are just too small and poorly designed for my needs. If you are going to be in cool (<45 F) rain or normal winter hunting or other outdoor activity, aren't too active and don?t need pocket space (who doesn't in the field?), then this might be a good coat for you given its excellent freedom of movement and light weight.
December 6, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Sequoian Perfect Outdoor Jacket
This gore tex coat is perfect for hiking, camping, hunting, used as a "barn coat", chopping wood, or even travel anywhere in the world.
The cut is great for wearing with a sweater, thick long sleeved shirt, a fleece liner, or simply a regular shirt. Lots of freedom of movement, great pockets, and very practical.
Any outdoor person should own one.
December 25, 2011
Rated 2 out of 5 by SCHunter Men's Upland Field Coat with Gore-Tex
Very plastic feel. High priced for what you get. Loud noise with movement which makes it poor for hunting.
September 22, 2011
Rated 4 out of 5 by nauta upland field coat
My wife is happy that I chose the brown shoulders over the field orange, which I preferred. But overall the jacket is excellent quality, wam as shell, warmer with a fleece vest. And the jacket is snug.
Yet with the jacket snugness, without a double zipper its uncomfortable driving. I either had to unzip it or take it off entirely, not what I care to do on cold mornings.
I would suggest that you add a double zipper allowing it to open from the botton when needed.
Otherwise great.
February 5, 2011
Rated 3 out of 5 by eHrothgar Reluctantly Returning Coat
If pit-zips were added, the Upland Field Coat with Gore-Tex would be a GREAT COAT. It is well made and very warm, even without wearing additional fleece or down.
Living near Seattle, when the temp is in the 20's the coat is very comfortable. When it warms up to the 50's or 60's it is too warm for comfort without the pit-zips.
You could probably use the coat for 11 months each Year in Maine, but without Pit-Zips, we are limited to about 4-5 months in the Puget Sound annually.
Reluctantly, I am returning the coat which I otherwise like to keep.
A merchandizing tip to Bean: After adding pit-zips, also market the coat to non-hunters, like me. I had intended to use the rear-end game pouch as a "Rumble Seat Fanny Pack" for water bottles, sandwichs, gloves, etc. Other hikers might like to do the same also. Given its color, Bean could call it "The Potato" or "The Spud" to appeal to us non-hunters.
If the "Potato" is a merchandising success, Bean may want to thank me with a complimentary Potato with Zip-Pits, to show appropriate appreciation for this great idea.
January 26, 2011
Rated 5 out of 5 by BaconMaker Excellent and versatile hunting coat
This is the best hunting coat I have found, and I have tried a few. Looks great but has many great practical features. Nice pocket layout, with two inside that are placed to avoid interfering with gun mounting. The front loading game bag slot is sized big enough to easily fit a big pheasant inside, with nice zippered access for the back. It's hard to beat a Gore-Tex shell for versatility, it breaths well on warm days, though I added a fleece underneath on a cold windy day and stayed very warm. The only negative for me is that the bottom front pocket covers are stitched closed on one side, probably to keep the pocket cover in place when raining. Overall this one is a keeper.
December 18, 2010
Rated 2 out of 5 by TDS1 Nice city coat-but not a good bird coat
Great fabric, lots of pockets and good quality. Unfortunately, the WORST game packet I've ever seen. Maybe good if you are hunting sparrows but far too small for real bird hunting.
If you want a good city coat with some style, great choice. I just can't use it as a coat for hunting birds.
December 1, 2010
Rated 5 out of 5 by MTKSbirdhunter Good coat
I was not exactly thrilled to spend this much money on a coat but I'm glad I did. I've gone out pheasant hunting a coulple of times and it is great. The game pouch is big enought to fit 3-4 birds might be a little heavy with 4 pheasants though. The coat is light enought to layer for cool mornings. I only wish it had a few more zipper pockets inside the jacket and a water bottle holder instead I used the game pouch which works but I'd rather have a place to hold a water bottle.
November 23, 2010
Rated 5 out of 5 by PlanoDave Upland Field Coat with Gore-Tex
I am 5'9 of average build and wear a Large Size Shirt and coat normally. I ordered a large Upland Field Coat and found it to be too large at the sleeve, chest and torso. I call LLBean and ordered a Medium to be sent before I sent the large back. The Medium fit perfectly. I returned the large with a shotgun case at no charge. I spoke to an LLBean associate who was very helpful. This coat is the best I have ever owned, and LLBean's service is better than any you will find anywhere.
November 4, 2010
Rated 5 out of 5 by bub471 Great Coat
I admit I was a little skeptical when I first got the coat...I thought hunting coats were supposed to be stiff and HEAVY. This coat does everything I need it to do , it is lightweight but turns the wind and keeps me dry. I would recommend this coat to anyone looking for a hunting coat. I bought the one w/out the blaze orange so I can wear it about town..I just throw a vest over it w/ blaze panels when I hunt. GREAT COAT !!!
November 2, 2010
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