Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Rugged Ridge Parka

The coat is pretty warm and fit well, but there were a couple of aspects I didn't like, so I ended up returning it: The coat was noisy when moving, presumably due to the type of waterproof layer in the hard shell. The main zipper was too small, and not easy to close wearing gloves. Velcro patches on the main storm flap make it hard to unzip quickly; they catch on sweaters; and the edges of the velcro strips are not bonded to the coat fabric, so they scratch and catch on skin.

I bought this about two years ago, but can't recall if it was a M or L, because the size is not listed on the coat. The zipper was always a bit funky as today it jammed halfway up and I had to slide the coat down off my legs to take it off. I can't fix the zipper, as it's really jammed. I realize there are no returns after a year but I'm going to the store on Thursday and plead my case. I've been a loyal customer since 1949 so I hope that helps.

I bought this jacket 2 years ago (lasting 2 winters including this one (2018-19). On the plus side the jacket is indeed warm. On the negative side, the Velcro straps on the jacket are made of very cheap quality and have already started to wear out. I expected better quality product from LL Bean. With their change in warranty policy, not sure if they will take back a 2 year old jacket. I just expected this jacket to last a lot longer.

I bought this coat four years ago and have worn it occasionally during that time. It is very warm and I like the pocket placements. However, the biggest pain is the zipper. I like having the lower zipper so the coat does not bind when sitting in the car, but the lower zipper binds about every time I put it on. The last time I put it on to go out into -1 degree temperatures, the lower zipper bound and when working it loose, I found that three of the zipper teeth had come off. The zipper sliders fell off and the coat cannot now be zipped. I called LLBean and they said that I have to either send the coat back to them to be repaired, of take it to one of their stores, the nearest which is an two hours away. So I will be without a warm coat for the remainder of this season. I'm not happy.

Construction is very good and works well in 30 degree weather with some light layering. But I have to say the hood is very disappointing in terms of adjustability. One string to tighten around face, that's it. That's unfortunate because the hood is well made but it's basically a large sack on my head. Maybe it has something to due with me ordering a size up to account for layering, but it should be adjustable enough to compensate.

1. The only problem, and this is of some concern to me, is the zipper. It is difficult to engage the zipper mechanism. One has to sometimes manipulate the zipper before it "catches" so that one can zip up the coat. If this causes the zipper to malfunction at some point, L.L. Bean will be hearing from me. 2. Otherwise, the coat is warm and comfortable. I've tested in sub-freezing weather and it does the job of keeping me warm, though I always use a another thin layer and an L.L. Bean hat to keep extra warm. 3. Were it not for the difficulty with the zipper, I'd recommend this coat to anyone.

I purchased this coat several years ago. It has proven to be a great value, and a great investment. It has an important feature that has been removed from this current coat. It had 2 nice wide and deep lower inside pockets. I'm in the mountains a lot, so wearing a hat and gloves in addition to the hood is common. When the sun warms on a nice day, I would take my hood, hat and gloves off. I would put my hat and gloves separately in a lower inside pocket. Having both pockets allowed for good weight balance and less bulk. Something I value immensely when hiking and climbing. I do not like the removal of the left inside lower pocket for a goggle pocket on the right upper inside. Why couldn't you have just leave the second lower inside pocket alone? I would use it 100% of the time, and rarely use a goggle pocket. Very bad decision!!! Those lower pockets were so important to me that I did not purchase the second coat I came here to buy. My first coat = 5 stars, this coat = 3 stars. That is how bad that decision is to me.

Nice jacket but I had to return it. The zipper was too small for my husband to handle. Also I ordered an XXL but was too snug. He generally wears an XL and his old llbean parka was an XL This one actually same size as the old XL or smaller

I bought this parka three years ago and loved it. It was exactly what I needed for a cold New York winter. Warm but not bulky. I have a Baxter State Parka for really frigid temperatures and love it. It is so good that I would overheat on the subway. I wanted a coat I could wear most of the winter. This was perfect. Then my son outgrew his LL Bean parka so I gave him this one. I missed it so much I ordered another one of the same model and color. When it arrived it was soon clear that the "enhancements" were anything but. The old model had a drawstring at the waist that would really cinch the coat to hug the body. This new version had one but it didn't fully cinch the coat. The old version had a nice fleece like collar but the new one didn't. The general shape of the coat was bulky not trim like the original one. Let me state that I am a BIG LL Bean fan. My family has been ordering from them going back three generations and I get almost all of my clothes from Bean. This is my first review of a product but I have seen similar comments from other customers referencing upgrades or enhancements to products that don't seem to work. I returned the coat and of course Bean's excellent customer service gave me a quick refund. This is meant to be constructive criticism and not general complaint about Bean. Still a very loyal customer!

I recently exchanged my older rugged ridge parka coat in store for this one because of a zipper issue. According to LL Bean, this product is the same as the one I had except for some evident style changes and modifications. This product feels "cheaply made" and definitely isn't as warm as my previous one. My old coat also had side pockets near the chest that could be used to keep my hands warm. I definitely miss this feature especially on days when I forget my winter gloves. Thirdly, the pocket reserved for cell phones is much smaller than the one featured on my original one.

I like the weight of the coat and the insulation but this really needs HAND WARMER POCKETS half way up the chest that could also be used to put gloves in a pockets that are on a angel .Please redue this into coat that we can't do without for an everyday winter coat that everyone will want.

I returned the Ridge Parka because it did not feel as warm as the same parka I bought several years ago.The sleeves especiallyfelt like there was less insulation than the previous parka.Anyway,I traded if in for a Wardens Parka and what difference! It obviously cost more,but was well worth it.Beans return policy is still the best anywhere.

Only wore it a few times but hate the fact that your hands always rub against the zipper when you are putting them in the pockets (and not wearing gloves). Deciding whether or not to return...

This coat was bought to replace my former rugged ridge parka which I Outgrew. The old coat had 2 pockets hear the top of coat,a total of 4 outside pockets. the new coat has only 2 pockets at the bottom of coat. the other pockets are missed.

Pro: love the lapis color, the light and comfortable fit, warmth is sufficient. Con: Zipper failed about fourth wearing, but LL airlifted me a new one overnight and took defective one back. The usual great customer service. Con: velcro closures tiny and useless for real non-zipper closure. Needs about a half inch wide continuous Velcro closure for when you don't want to use zipper. Con: one small left side upper chest pocket too small for most cell phones. Worth having for the look, comfort, and knowledge that LL stands behind their products.

While the quality of the jacket appeared very good, the sizing is a bit off, and I had to return it. I went by the sizing chart, and all was good, with the exception of how it fit, or didn't fit around my mid section. I realize I'm a bigger guy, so I ordered the largest size available, and it fit my shoulders, chest and the length was great too, but it was very tight around my belly. L.L. Beans return policy, and process is second to none, and that went very well, I just wish they'd realize that there are some larger outdoors people around, and we'd love to give our money to companies that make great gear, we just need it made in our size. If you're not large in the belly area, this might fir you, so give it a try, just note that if you UPS or mail it back, they subtract the return shipping from your refund, so if you can, bring it to one of their stores.

I really loved this jacket. It kept the cold, wind and rain out and it was nice to have a removable hood for sunny days. I don't agree with the other reviews about the pockets- they were big enough for me and the internal mesh pockets were also great for easy access to more bulky things. BUT- the other reviews about zippers are true for me too. The zipper now totally doesnt work and because this jacket doesn't have a button flap over the zippers I essentially can't use the jacket in bad weather. In fact, the zippers are so stuck that to use it at all I have to pull it over my head. I am from Maine and grew up with a whole wardrobe of LL Bean clothes that lasted decades. I still have items that I bought in the early 80s. It is hard for me to come to grips with an LLBean item failing like this.

We are only half way through winter, and the zipper on my son's jacket is falling apart. Two teeth have fallen out, and the plastic coating on the bottom part of the zipper is peeling off making it difficult to start the zipper. The zipper also easily pull apart making it difficult to get the teeth of the zipper come together in order to properly zip up nd down. Such a disappointment.

This is a mid-weight insulated coat, not suitable for under 20 degrees. 2 major problems with the coat I just received (mid-January '25): The hood is useless. It sticks out 6" above your head - no exaggeration! Even with a helmet on (which a coat like this is not really used with) it's 4" too tall. Most hoods can be adjusted back and down, this hood adjusts AROUND the circumference of your head - but it's so absurdly tall that the air rushes under it. Honestly, it's the worst and most useless hood I have EVER seen on a winter coat, unless you are a conehead. By the way, I use a hood rather than a hat when it's cold enough. Second miss - the inner neoprene cuffs are as wide as the inner sleeves, meaning they stop NOTHING. I've had similar cuffs on other coats, they are quite stretchy and should be designed smaller so that they are snug around your wrist. Not these. Yes, the outer cuffs are Velcro adjustable - so there's that. But the neoprene cuffs are so big they are useless. I'm returning this coat.

Nice and warm jacket but way too long and bulky for skiing so I am returning it.

I bought this jacket to go skiing in. Unfortunately, the jacket has no air vents, so I sweat a lot. This big jacket needs air vents.

I bought this thinking it would be good for the cold weather here in the Chicago area. I was disappointed to find that the outer material felt like plastic in the cold and that after 5 minutes the cold started soaking through the coat. Doesn't meet my needs.

The coat is ok and I am glad it comes in tall sizes, but if this is in the "warmest" category, I won't be buying any more coats at LLBean. This coat will require a lot of layers underneath. It is much thinner than I would have hoped.

Beautiful jacket ordered in February, received in May...

The bottom line: This coat has a "warmest" rating, but it's not as warm as the coat I purchased from LLBean eight years ago.