Rated 1 out of 5 by ilovewintertime sizing issue
I bought this jacket for my husband, despite the reviews that described it as snug-fitting, and ordered one size larger for him in an XXL. Well, they were spot-on. Even in the larger size he could not zip up the jacket himself because the fit was too tight in the upper body. We returned the jacket the next day.
April 13, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by ITexec great great coat with important flaw
The warm-up parka is just the right thing if you're looking for a versatile good-looking coat for temperate climates such as northwest NJ, where I live. It would serve well in colder climes as well with occasional layering. In a pinch you could wear it over a suit and it wouldn't look too jarring but it is geared more to every day casual wear. The tubular zip-up neck (with generous fold of fleece) is indispensable for those of us who can't be bothered with scarves. The moss-khaki color is terrific, The velcro cuff adjustments are great for everybody, especially those of us who aren't too tall with short arms. So why only four stars? The zipper is flawed in two ways: (1) it is placed five inches from the bottom of the coat so that you cannot zip from the bottom but instead must fold the bottom of the coat aside or somehow deal with the extra material when engaging the zipper; (2) the zipper must be pulled all the way down to engage (made more difficult by the extra fabric). Working the zipper in general is also a bear but this can be addressed with the old chapstick solution. In short, the zipper takes some getting used to but that should not dissuade you from getting this great coat when the price is right.
February 3, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 Have Test Driven It; Would Buy It Again
I love this coat and I'd buy it again. It's exactly what I was looking for at a price I could afford.
I'm a woman, but I bought a men's coat, and in a size a bit large for me. I like loose clothing, and a coat that is a bit big for me works overtime -- it can be adapted to a great range of temperatures.
I wore this coat during the recent cold snap. I walked twelve miles in near zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures, and I was comfortable. I wore a heavy sweater and down vest underneath.
I wore this coat on a day when it was near fifty degrees. I wore a light shirt underneath, and kept the zipper down. I was fine.
I wore the coat while walking for an hour through heavy snow. I wore it another day when the precip was that hated wintry mix of snow, ice, and cold rain. I walked through that for about an hour, in this coat, and I was fine.
Before I purchased this coat, I read other reviews. Some reviewers complained about the zipper. When I first got the coat, I actually used a watch to see how long it would take me to zip the zipper. It took me five seconds. Literally, five seconds.
I've zipped and unzipped the coat several times a day, every day, since then, and I have no complaints. You do have to make sure that the slider is firmly seated in the bottom stop, but you really don't have to be a rocket scientist -- or a Zen zipper master -- to make that happen.
I wear backpacks and generally have a backpack waistband snapped tightly around my waist. With some coats, it is just about impossible to get my hand into my pocket -- the backpack waistband blocks the coat pocket. The pockets on this coat are positioned in such a way that I can reach into my pocket when my backpack waistband is snapped. That is a great convenience.
January 31, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by
YWouldAny1Listen2Me No complaints here!
I was looking for a jacket for a ski trip to northern Vermont. LL doesn't really carry what would be considered full fledged ski jackets but I didn't want one anyway. I was looking for something mildly warm & wind-proof because I don't like all my warmth coming from just the jacket and prefer layers underneath instead so I can adjust if the day starts to warm up. This jacket suited me perfectly. I ordered long XL even though I'm a large to make sure it wouldn't fit too tight with layers underneath and that worked out well. Sleeves were long enough to not expose my wrists even if my arms were extended. The length was great because I only wear ski pants, no bibs, and I didn't have any issues with snow "getting in" the few times I fell. The temps were in the teens with strong wind and with a long sleeve T and hooded sweatshirt underneath I was almost too warm. The hood not being lined doesn't bother me, if it was lined it probably wouldn't tuck away very well. The zipper took a day to break in but I didn't find it to be any more difficult than any other double-zipper I've owned.
January 24, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by charliell New sizing
I've owned various LL Bean clothing over the past 25 years, and I have always worn a XXLT (I'm 6'7"). Since I still wear one of the regular Warm Up Jackets (among other jackets) that I bought about 10 years ago, I was assuming this parka Warm Up Parka would fit similarly.
It did not. Too tight across the shoulders and upper arms, very binding if one is moving the arms. I also got the Penobscot Fleece Jacket this winter. It, too, did not conform to the sizing that I am used to from LL Bean jackets, although it was a little better fit for me than this one.
So a new trend from LL Bean? LL Bean needs to stay consistent with their sizing. I'll be less likely to order from LL Bean in the future because I'm not excited about paying for return shipping and dealing with the hassle of shipping it. Probably won't order again until I hear from reviewers that LL Bean is back on track.
January 13, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by openbox Terrible Cut
Just received this a few hours ago, all excited. Bitterly disappointed in the cut, Ordered XL and the back of the jacket feels like its a M. Cannot lift your arms up with out the sleeves hiking up your arm well past your wrists. Cannot wear anything but a t-shirt under it anyting else, the sleeves hike up your arm. Any activity including driving feels like you'll rip the back seem apart. Pathetic cut and sizing. Typical of cheap products. Just hope ordering XXL for the sake of 2 inches in the back doesn't over do it. Otherwise the jacket is perfect in simplicity and styling.
January 10, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 bad jacket (not a coat)
I bought this jacket as a replacement for my winter coat due to the temperature rating for 25 down to -25. I took the coat out for a walk at 35 and was cold the entire time. The only Thinsulate is in the sleeves not the rest of the jacket. The rest of the jacket is a durable nylon shell with a fleece like lining. I am returning this coat as it is not nearly warm enough. In addition to not being warm enough the hood rolls up into the collar, it is VERY bulky and uncomfortable. The waist cinchers are IN the side pockets and hard to access and don't have much adjustment. The velcro for the front flap is not very secure, for a coat at this price level snaps should have been used. And last nut not least the zipper in the front it horrible. It starts about 4 inches above the bottom of the coat and is difficult, at best, to get started. Over all i would class this as a light jacket at best, NOT a winter coat, parka, or otherwise. I DO NOT recommend this item.
January 10, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by weendoggy Great Coat for Work
Reading other respnses re: size, zipper, cold etc. I find the coat very well suited for my use. I've had no problems what so ever and although it doesn't get as cold here as other places in the US, we get into the high 20's low 30's every winter. I bought this as a supplement to doing work outside in those temps where I need some protection around my waist/bottom. I can layer a tee shirt, light sweatshirt and the coat and have ample room to move about. It also keeps me warm and dry. Yes, collar is a little stiff with the hood inside, but who cares, it feels good at the neck line in the cold. It is a little loose fitting, but I wasn't looking for a tight fit and not being able to move. This coat has met my expectations.
January 9, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by LoveMyKoratCat Warm, good color selection, but badly designed
Ordered this parka for my husband, who was looking for a reasonably priced replacement for his old one. He disliked it so much that I returned it the next day.
Warm and wind/water repellent, yes. Good selection of colors, yes. Comfortable, well-fitting, with easy-to-access features, no, not so much.
The 2-way zipper was hard to start, putting the drawcord ends in the pockets is a real design flaw that needs to be fixed for next year's version of this parka, and the chest pockets bulged out, giving the parka a very unflattering profile. The entry to the zipped side pockets could be a bit more generous--as it is, they're a bit difficult to access and the zipper scrapes bare hands. We ordered a Large, and it was VERY Large.
Even at the sale price, this parka was not inexpensive. Better design and more attention to detail would make it worth the price. We're usually pretty happy with the quality and fit of LL Bean clothing, but this jacket was the exception to the rule.
January 8, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by JackStone Disappointing
While I could add ChapStick or soap to make the zipper work, why would I want that frustration on any item, certainly not on an LL Bean jacket that costs $100? The jacket is stiff, the hood-stuffed collar is unusually bulky, the Large fit fairly snug and the zipper worked once in multiple attempts. For five years, I've been searching for an LL Bean L492 replacement, a light jacket (oddly enough made in China) that is a perfect fit, perfect material. Hate to give it up after 20 - 25 years, but it's now discolored and got to go. And the Warm-Up Parka isn't a substitute.
January 5, 2013
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