L.L.Bean Weather Challenger 3-in-1 Jacket

This is a versatile jacket that will keep you dry and warm and has the flexibility for those who need extra room for kayaking or fishing.

I purchased this jacket to replace an older neoprene jacket. I wanted something that was fairly waterproof and had enough shoulder room for kayaking and fly fishing. I loved the options it had for my busy travel schedule and that it was packable.  

I hadn't really tested the waterproof options of this jacket until I was in Scotland this last week where I had two days of near downpour rain while hiking and fly fishing. This jacket kept me warm and dry through those days.  

I have worn a scarf in order to to control the irritable way it fits when it is zipped up, always hitting me in the face and chin. Not a showstopper, but also not the way this jacket should fit at this price mark, in my opinion.

This was a good all around replacement to my older jacket. 

Would I recommend? Yes!!!

Downpour in Scotland and I was nice and warm and dry. Notice the scarf to keep the zipped part from hitting my face.

Zippered inner jacket with inside cellphone pocket.

Fits very well over fly fishing waders. Zippered vents under the arms allow airflow through the jacket if needed. This jacket provides plenty of room and flexibility for casting and pulling in the big fish!

Background

I have owned this jacket since May 2019 and have used it constantly as a normal day jacket and activity jacket. Kayaking in it, hiking in the inner shell and the entire 3-in-1 combo, and fly fishing with a wool base layer and 3-in-1 combo. It has held up well so far to the unpacking, packing, rolling, zipping, unzipping, wet and dry and heat conditions.

Good waterproof casual jacket. Not made to be skied in or for other technical use.

Product best for wearing as a casual jacket. Excellent waterproofing. Not very breathable, but does have pit zips to dump heat. Not good for layering as inner puffer jacket layer is tight fitting and outer shell layer is large.

Outer shell layer is too bulky and allows for gaps to form/puffs out around stomach. This made it ineffective for skiing in Maine. Insulation is not very good (I live in Maine with 30 to sub zero temps in winter). Outer shell is very durable.

I have a medium and I am 5'9" and 140 lbs.

Nice jacket. Perfect for western New York winters.

I like the jacket but I wish it was a little heavier, but all in all it’s a pretty good jacket.

It is one of the better 3-in-1’s on the market.

Background

Intermediate skier