LLBeans maine parka

[barkrider]

Anyone with some experience with these
I have looked around quite a bit and these coats seem to match the top company's wool.
It is just so much cheaper,
What am i missing?

[Ward / Texas]

Yes, I've owned a Maine Guide wool parka for close to 20 years.  At the time I compared the LL Bean to a Filson, but decided on the LL Bean since it was much less expensive.  It's very warm, has great hand pockets, fits close enough to shoot a bow, and even today looks like I bought it a few days ago.  LL Bean seems to have a quality product, and they have good customer satisfaction as well. I guess your missing the name brand?  Hope this helps.
Ward

[Kapellmeister]

I'm a loyal L.L. Bean customer... good products and they stand behind them.  That being said though, the biggest difference between the two coats is that the Bean Maine Guide wool parka isn't 100% wool and it's lighter - 85% wool/15% nylon, 16 oz. per sq. yd.  Their current parka is also lined with Thinsulate. ($160)

Woolrich's hunting coat is also 85% wool/15% nylon but a little heavier... 18.5 oz. wool. ($180)

The Filson Makinaw cruiser is made of 24 oz. or 26 oz. (depending on the color) 100% wool.  ($300)

Cabela's Legacy wool parka is also a good choice 24 oz. 100% wool w/ Thinsulate lining. ($200)

[WindWalker-AK]

Mr. barkrider,
We have/use both the LL Bean Maine Parka (non-thinsulate) and the Filson's Double Mackinaw.
In our opinion the LL Bean is a bargain for the money and a very good coat.
However, in our experience the Filson's is the warmer of the two, good down to -20 degrees below 0 (F) and stops the wind much better due to the tighter weave of the wool material.
Just our opinion.
Best Wishes

[barkrider]

Thanks for your responses
It is very much appreciated... it freezes here most nights now and will be getting real chilly in a hurry.

cheers

[WindWalker-AK]

Mr. barkrider,
My apologies.
I appear to be comparing apples and oranges.
Took another look at our LL Bean coats and they do not have the thinsulate (as I mentioned) but do have the double layer of wool over the shoulders, chest and back; the same as the Filson's.  Our coats have buttons rather than the snaps and zippers.
Apparently our coats are an older version comparable to the Filson's Double Mackinaw in style and construction.  Just not quite as warm or wind proof.
Nevertheless, the LL Bean Maine Parka looks to be a very good value, especially at the sale price quoted in the catalog.
Best Wishes

[hvyhitter]

Usually the price break is on were its made. Made in the USA is usually higher priced but also higher quallity....That said I have two "imported" woolrich wool hunting coats that I picked up "slightly used" that are pretty well made...but just not as well as my filson. I think the Beans are "imported" also.

[ron w]

I traded for a LL Bean red and black plaid wool hunting coat. It's caped over the shoulders, chest, and the entire sleeves. Has inside pockets,chest pockets lower front pockets and hand warmer pockets. Also has a game pocket in the back. Coat must weigh 8 pounds. Can't wait to try in this winter. I traded a doz. carbon arrows that were to short for me. I love wool!!!!!

[Mojostick]

I happen to own a Filson, a LL Bean and a Cabela's Legacy wool coat.

I have a stupid question, are you looking for bowhunting or regular daily usage?

And are you looking only for plaids or do you want camo?

I only ask because, I would not suggest the LL Bean or Cabela's legacy for bowhunting, because the sleeves inside lining is noisy.

At least the ones I own have that lining. Both are warm and great coats, but I would not use either for bowhunting. I use my red/black LL bean for rifle hunting, but a little noise doesn't hurt when I'm sitting in a blind, expecting 40-120 shots with a .350 Rem Mag laying across my lap. LOL

I use my Cabela's Legacy for when snowblowing my long driveway. Again, great coat, but the lining is noisy.

That leaves the Filson if looking for non-camo. The Filson is all wool. A premium garment that will easily outlast you. Expensive, but easily the finest quality of the 3.

Now, if looking for camo wool, I suggest Day One for the price/quailty ratio. I have the heavy wool in ASAT and it's my main hunting wool, depending on the background.

I do have the "old" Cabela's Outfitter Camo in wool, and mine is awesome. But mine is the old stuff when Pendleton made it out of 100% premium wool. I can't speak to the new stuff, which I believe is now a blend.

I just sent a check in today for some relatively rare blaze orange wool bibs and vest from Grey Wolf Wool. Also super great stuff. I believe they have plaids, but if it was me, their Predator Grey is their signature product and great quaility.

KOM is obviously super stuff. But for that money, I can buy 3 whole outfits. Day One in ASAT light fleece and ASAT wool, and still could buy something else.

Here in mid-Michigan, I sit and wait when hunting. I'm mostly confined to my own land. I buy big and layer up heavy if cold. If I was doing a pack hunt in the wilderness, then some of the highest end stuff could make sense. But the reality of my hunt club is, I'm never really farther than a 1/2 mile from the truck and a 10 minutes away from a hot shower and a cold beer. LOL


Hope this helps.

[WESTBROOK]

LL Bean wool is all made by Woolrich, has been for years. Woolriches Quality has went down the crapper the last 5-10 years.

That said, I have a Bean Maine Guide parka, green plaid, 15years old. Nice coat, but way to bulky to shoot a bow with, thin wool with thinsulate.

I also  have a Filson Mack, much better in my opinion.

Eric

[barkrider]

You hit the nail on the head..... I want to use it bowhunting, not shoveling snow, god knows that will happen though but my main goal is to stop shivering when in the stand late season, I have been toughing it out for the last 3 years with more layers than I have fingers but enough is enough, this is supposed to be enjoyable. Hypothermia is overrated

I was looking at the Grey wolf it seem to be the more reasonably priced of the designer stuff..... is it really worth it?

Thanks again

[WESTBROOK]

WindWalker, the jacket your refering to would be the woolrich Stag jacket/shirt.

Back in the 80's - early 90's when I lived in Denver,  Woolrich had a outlet store in Broomfield, Co behind Albertsons grocery store (this was befor the "outlet malls") used to get stuff for real cheap, it was still USA made too. Those were the days!

These days quality wool is limited to Filson, Johnson and Bimidji.

Eric

[ron w]

You can get good wool from Beagle wear in Vermont also...a bit pricey but good!!

[Mojostick]

Barkrider,

If it was me, I'd get the Day One Camo ASAT wool, parka or pullover for top, bibs on bottom, and the right hat, then a base of UA Cold Gear against the skin and Woolpower over that, (more if bitter cold) and your shivers will go away.

ASAT looks strange on a website and even in person, but in the field, I just don't think there's a better all around camo out there. It looks "bright" at first glance. But it's the light background that actually gives the depth and the breakup, if that makes any sense.

It's darker camo's that "blob", especially in lower light.

[WindWalker-AK]

Mr. WESTBROOK,
If you are referring to our LL Bean wool coats, they were made in Vietnam.  One is a dark charcoal color and the other is a red/black plaid.
There are no sleeve linings.  They are a blend of 85% wool and 15% nylon.
We got them on sale for a little less than half price and free shipping.  They are a good quality (especially considering what we paid for them), heavy coat but not in the same class as our Filson's, imho.
Best Wishes

[Mojostick]

Mine has quilted sleeve linings. I bought mine direct from LL Bean about 10 years ago.

It sounds like a smothered crinkling potato chip bag when you move your arms.

If there's a LL Bean coat without that lining, then I bet it'd be great.

[Hud]

Thanks for all the info, you guys are doing all the work.

[Paul WA]

try Spirithorseenterprises quality at a fair price, actually a cheap price and made in the USA...Paul

[barkrider]

Your right Paul Spirit horse looks pretty good
thanks