LL Bean BIG BAFFLE PUFFER JACKET

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Here is a very warm down parka I wish was available when I was looking for one. I did buy an Eddie Bauer Peak XV -30 F. parka on a big sale which I do like a lot. Both parkas are very similar.

After checking with Bean’s product specialist today I was told that ended, this parka DOES have internal baffles. Or as the product specialist called them, “partitions”. Good term for what baffles really do.

For $299  in regular or tall length this is a very good buy for all but truly Arctic -50 F. weather . It is rated by Bean’s as +15 F./ -35 F. so should be great for 90% of sub-zero  North American winter weather.

A Tall size might be a good choice for you if you want a bit of extra length and to keep wrists covered when reaching.. It does NOT say if it is “helmet compatible”. Likely not.

It is made from Pertex Y-Fuse fabric, 850 down with Down Tek DWR treatment. I like down DWR. For as much as you are going to wash this parka (likely 2 or 3 times ever) you ain’t gonna wash much of the DWR off.

[Ken Larson]

Eric….What is the weigh of this jacket?

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Ken, I asked Bean’s cust. svc. last but she had no numbers. I’m sure its less than my Eddie Bauer Peak XV -30 F. parka because my parka has more pockets and a few other features.

With Pertex Y-Fabric and baffles I’d say it’s a bit less than say the Patagonia Fitz Roy parka which is one pound 1 ounce.

[Brett Cooper]

I got a weight of 18 oz for a large from customer service, but I was unable to get a Fill Weight.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

 

Brett,

I have an LL Bean -20 F. 750 fill down bag with their DWR treatment. Its loft is excellent as are its many features.

As well I have a factory overstuffed 20 F. Western Mountaineering Megalite 3 season bag (900 fill) for comparison and of course the -20 F. LL Bean mummy has a lot more loft. I was willing to accept 750 fill and a few more ounces for an amazing sale price of $275. when the original price was $415. on the tag that came with the bag. BTW, I used a funnel and coat hangar to stuff the down into the zipper baffle tube.

Given that comparison I’d say the LL Bean “Big Baffle Puffer” down parka would have excellent loft if that’s your concern. BUT… I dunno what the fill weight would be for you to make comparisons with other similar parkas.

The LL Bean parka has the same flat internal front zipper baffle that my Eddie Bauer Peak XV parka came with. I opened one end and filled it with DWR treated down I had on hand from another project and stitched the tube back up. The same can be done with the LL Bean parka. In fact if you want to do it I’ll send you a quart ZipLoc bag of my loose down, no charge.

 

[Brett Cooper]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Thanks for the insight and offer Eric. Although that requires my knowledge of sewing(baseline is zero, ha).</p>
It does look like a very warm parka and 18 oz total weight is pretty comparable at a steal of a price.

[Brett Cooper]

Okay, I got a response from LL Bean, looks like fill weight for a large is 5.6 oz.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Brett, Is that 5.6 oz. fill weight about what you wanted?

In my experience Bean’s sells very high quality clothing. I’d expect that parka to be very high quality in every aspect including loft.

[Brett Cooper]

Thanks for the recommendation Eric, but I was hoping for a bit more fill and ultimately a warmer parka.

[John Vance]

Look like the Montbell Alpine parka is still the one to beat at $300

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=25148&p_id=1101407&gen_cd=1

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Yeah, the Montbell has over 7 oz. of fill, 2 oz. more than teh LL Bean parka. But Bean’s does offer a long parka the looks to be as long as the Montbell. Likely another ounce of fill in it.

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