L.L.Bean Wind Challenger Stretch Down Jacket

High build quality down ski parka
Loaded with useful features
Priced in line with other top tier insulated ski parkas

Recently took delivery on this excellent ski parka and it was actually "better than advertised".

FEATURES:

1. fully adjustable helmet compatible hood
2. woven down baffles with NO sewn-thru baffles
3. two-way waterproof front zipper
4. pit zips
5. 650 fill goose down (no feather fill)  
6. elasticized bottom hem cord W/2 side cord locks.
7. left forearm small zippered ski pass pocket (handy for RFD ski passes)
8. excellent DWR treatment on down and exterior fabric 

Some may feel the 650 fill Down Tek treated down is too "low rent" down. Au contraire mon frere, this fill rating is good for resisting compression in high winds, when wearing a day pack or leaning against a lift chair back on a long, cold ride up the mountain. There are some situations when high compressibility down is not the best fill. If I need this parka on a ski camping trip I'll put it in a properly size stuff sack and strap it under my pack, not inside.

**With no sewn-thru baffle seams the parka will be warmer than one of the same fill with sewn thru seams, the cold spots and wind coming through the seams. The hood, shoulders and elbow-to-cuff areas are a tougher fabric. Inside lower left is a large elasticized mesh storage/“drying” pocket and upper right is a small zippered pocket. Outside are 2 handwarmer zippered pockets and an upper left Napoleon pocket. All outer pockets have waterproof YKK zippers.

Yeah, no powder skirt, so if that's crucial to powder hounds then look elsewhere. But for most of us groomed piste skiers it's fine with just the elasticized bottom hem cord with dual side cord locks.

The hood has a rear drawcord to improve peripheral vision and INTERIOR hood face drawcords to prevent wind whipping them in your face when drawn down. Details, details. 

"LL Bean makes this??" you say. Well yeah, Bean has many very good down garments and several 800 fill down ultra light jackets and parkas as well. Bean knows how to design clothes for the job at hand. In fact when you cruise YouTube for "2024 Top Down Jackets" Bean jackets seldom are found. I feel this is B/C Bean does not come to mind enough for these reviewers, but it SHOULD! 

Background

So, with, three days from our election, no experience with the parka. But as a Ski Patroller for 16 years experience (10 as XC Patroller, 6 as alpine patroller) I am well aware of the features that make a good ski parka and of Bean's high quality standards. This parka has both.