Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Baxter State Parka

Purchased for cold weather walks to look at birds at the start of 2016-17 winter season. Didn't get cold enuff to wear it. This winter there have been plenty of cold days to give it a workout. Have worn it approx. 20 hours this winter for birding treks with most of those single digit to zero degrees F. Outstanding coat! Toasty with only single layer underneath. Lotsa pockets. Snaps and zipper work well. 20 degrees and above then I just leave it in the closet if I plan on moving around because it's too warm. Probably be ideal at those temps for stationary outdoors events.

I've only worn this parka a few times. Each time was to go outside and snow blow my driveways. The parka is a good length to just below the waist. The sleeves are just right to the wrist. My opinion is this is not a big bulky hard to move in coat. As with any hooded coat when you turn your head I see the inside of the hood. Unlike most jackets this hood protrudes outward protecting my face from most of the snow and wind. The wind has to be literally blowing straight at your face for you to be bothered by wind at all. The coat is waterproof. I really haven't used any of the pockets it has so I can't comment on that. The parka seems extremely durable and well made. It has one problem....every time I go outside to do anything wearing this parka it's to warm ! Today it was 17 degrees fahrenheit and I was basically following my snowblower around clearing the driveway. I was hot. The time before that snowblowing it was right around zero degrees and I was still to warm wearing the parka. I would say the temperature ratings on this jacket are correct for LL Beans listing. Snowblowing requires little to no effort. I should have worn it last week when it was 20 below zero here. This jacket is made for below zero weather and I live in that type of region.

I should bought it earlier. Protects you from the wind, cold weather and is waterproof.

Bought this for my hubby for Christmas and he loves it. It's comfortable and it's exceptionally warm. He'd said he didn't need a "new coat" but once he put this one on, he's grateful I didn't listen and purchased it. He's quite impressed by how warm it is.

This coat is so warm and comfortable. My husband is out in -degree weather and he is warm and toasty. I will be buying myself one too.

I received a Baxter State Parka as a Christmas gift several years ago. I hate being cold and wanted a coat that could withstand it all. I've loved it these past few years. This coat held up to the -15F cold and -35-40F wind chill we just had this year like a champ (I wish there were Baxter State pants because mine did not). The coat and gloves are bulky and can be awkward driving in them, but they do what they're made for, keeping me warm. I like the combo so much I just bought both the parka and gloves for my dad. The zipper can be a little bit of a pain to get started due to being a double zipper, but that's really the only complaint. The exterior pockets are even warm enough for hands in short durations in sub-zero temperatures (but definitely are no sub for gloves/mittens for longer durations). If you're tired of being cold every time you leave the house, this is the coat for you!

This is the best winter jacket I could find. I looked at Dicks Sporting, Backpackers, and Cabella's. I love this jacket. Because it has alot ot extra pockets for cellphone glasses and wallet.The other jackets didn't have this.

i got this parka based on the recommendation of a friend who owns one. great parka...except for a few details: 1.the sizing chart is off. i normally take an xl tall. the chart recommended a regular. in this case, a xxl regular fit. (thanks to my buddy for letting me try his on for size) 2. i'm wish the zipper were bigger 3. i'm not a big fan of double zippers however, i love the fact that the hood is removable.

I just spent several days in Montreal, where the temperatures during my stay were below 0F the entire time. Even the locals thought it was cold! But with my Baxter State Parka, I was always very warm, even when it went down to 13 below. For walking around in frigid temps, I didn't really even need much under it, just a regular T-shirt and an LL Bean chamois shirt was more than enough. With the hood up, to be honest, I didn't even need my knit hat. I've had this jacket for several winters, and it is simply amazing how warm it keeps you. Best thing I ever bought for cold winters and it's the ultimate for snow throwing or shoveling. Can't recommend it more highly.

Got my coat at the beginning of December living in New England it was cool but not cold out but the past week and a half has been frigid and with this coat you can't even tell....By far the best coat I have ever owned you can't even tell that it is cold out.. Not only does it keep you warm but it looks great also..

I was looking for a good winter coat and this is it! The Baxter State Parka is very well made with excellent zippers. The zippers attach and function easily. The insulation keeps you warm, but isn't heavy, allowing you freedom of movement. There are plenty of pockets to stow your items, including hamdwarmer pockets. The hood design is well made, either stowing in the collar or complete removal. The true to size fit also allows for you to layer underneath to adjust to the winter conditions. Great purchase for great price!

My husband is one of those people that chill easily. I think this might be the first coat he's had where he's warm. The only complaint about the coat are the cords to pull the jacket in snug to prevent drafts. The pull cord ends are very difficult to find and awkward to use. I remember one being in the breast pockets and the lower one was equally as difficult to find. This runs very large. My husband has long arms and when available I'll buy the tall large. He was thrilled to see it in a tall version. Then he put the coat on and it was at least a full size larger than expected but a regular medium fits perfectly. Point of reference, he's 6 foot, 175 pounds. For a person that takes a tall large? In this coat they'll probably want a regular medium.

My hubby is tall (6' 5") and trim, the Tall/Large size fits him perfectly! He loves it! Super warm! We also love the low-key green/grey color, soft fur around hood, and the zillions of helpful pockets. There is a modern flair to the details too... this isn't the olde fuddy duddy Baxter. It reminds me of snowboarder detailing. A modern classic! Buy it!

Although this is a men's parka, I fell in love with the color and numerous pockets. It is amazingly warm, nice and long and a wonderful amazing color (gray). I am 5'9" and a L fits perfectly with room for layers. I couldn't be happier!

As soon as I put this jacket on it was like none other. A perfect fit to me. Outside I went to snowblow driveway. jacket was toasty warm in the 20 degree temperature. Wind was blowing snow off the trees. The hood I can't really comment one way or another. I had headphone ear protection on. Peripheral vision was limited just like any hood wood be. The hood was warm for sure. I had a baseball cap on by habit so there is no warmth in a baseball cap. My point made there about the hood warmth. Sleeves were of perfect length. jacket length was longer than I am used to. Normally I wear a carhart work jacket. This Baxter State parka was far superior in warmth compared to that jacket. The jacket seems to be made of very good material. I can only say good things about it ! I know with the blowing snow the jacket was dry. I have been putting off buying this for a couple years. I hit it during a good sale and the usual $10 off voucher. I regret not buying it a few years ago when I first started buying here. Highly recommend this jacket. My area is the northern Adirondacks in NY state. It gets cold !

Very warm, waterproof, get compliments everywhere I go. Lots of pockets. Fits perfect. Can't say enough good things about it. Just buy one!!!

No doubt about it... this parka is HEAVY and WARM. This parka has one purpose in life... to keep you really warm in really cold weather. I would say this parka is suitable to easily -10degrees with no worries. So warm in fact... that even if you step into an elevator from outside heading into the office... you will be sweating by the time you reach your floor. This jacket is well built, with a robust, heavyweight outer shell, and a warm, (synthetic?) down filled, non-removable liner. Totally windproof including a robust zipper flap, and I would imagine significantly waterproof (not yet user tested.) I would consider this jacket way too physically heavy for skiing or snow boarding, but easily suitable for snow blowing and shovelling or even for walking across town on the coldest of days in Chicago or Seoul (as I just did) or even Alaska or the North Pole. Yes... its that warm. NOT a good travel jacket... it is REALLY bulky and non compressible. It is a real hanger-bender and takes up a lot of closet space. My only complaint is that while there IS a cinch-cord at the bottom of the jacket at the hips.... there is NOT an internal midway cinch cord at the waist (like most parkas) to bring the jacket shape into your mid-section.... so it tends to "balloon" in the middle.

I've worn a ton of parks in my time. The last was a North Face,and their top of the line. I bought this parka in the green so I can hunt whith it. I live in the Aderondack mountain's where it's commen to have -28/-30 degree weather . This is the best parka that I've ever owned. I was out in -10 degree weather yesterday with the wind blowing pretty good, and all that i had on under the parka was a tee shirt and I was toosty warm, I also like the outer material when it gets broken in it will be silent walking thru the woods. As a stated, this is the warmest parka I've ever owned. I highly recommend this parka.

Warm, comfortable with more than adequate pockets.

This is the best Parka I have ever owned. Fits true to size, has plenty of pockets, is comfortable to wear and is very warm. I highly recommend this product to everyone looking for cold weather wear.

The coat fits perfectly which is something I was having problems with other manufacturers. I live in Minnesota were it can get to -110 below wind chill. The coat is the warmest I've ever owned. No draft up the back like a lot of inferior coats. The sleeves have a comfortable cuff that seals out drafts as well. On top of that it is waterproof for when the snow is wet. Another plus is the zipper. A lot of coats I've had have zippers that get stuck or pull apart but not this coat. Definitely recommend.

I saw a few reviews that decry the lack of down. I don't care, this coat is warm! I also saw that older versions do not have a drawstring. This current version does. This is a very well built and well designed coat for the coldest weather. I can see this coat lasting many, many seasons. This is the best parka out there for the money.

I ordered a large; I am 5'8" and 205 lbs. with a wide athletic build in the shoulders and back. I don't want my parkas to be snug, and if it hangs at the fingertips that is fine, which it does. It is a winter coat for severe weather after all. I won't be wearing it much in North Georgia, but I will when I travel to the Midwest on trips. Here is my product critique: 1). The overall bulk has been eliminated from previous years; it is not nearly as heavy. 2). The lower side pockets are angled completely incorrect and are functionally useless because they are ergonomically impossible to access. 3). The ruff is cheap; even the Eddie Bauer Parka ruffs are better made, but they are cosmetic at best and serve their cosmetic purpose for looks. Not a big factor for me. 4). The hood is superb; it is large and deep and well insulated. 5). The overall cut is roomy, which allows for ample layering room if you need or like to layer underneath. I had on a Bean Chamois flannel and the parka was fine over the top. 6). The zipper was fine; I had no problems with it during engagement up or down. It is a two-way YKK type so you have to be aware of two components engaging. 7). The kelp green heather color was appealing to look at; I liked the way it looked as opposed to solid color green as in years past. Overall, I will keep this coat without any reservation. In the mountains of North Georgia and Western NC, this will be a good parka to keep in the car when needed as the southern Appalachians can go from 3,000 ft. to 6,600 ft. fairly quickly. I miss the hard winters from living up north in Indianapolis and Cleveland and I wanted my winter parka, just in case, once again. I had the Maine Wardens Parka but it was too much coat and very heavy, so I returned it. I will still give L.L. Bean 5-stars for this beauty. I doubt I will be wearing it out anytime soon.

I've been a purchaser for more than 20 years. When I bought a first baxter state Parker, it was built on Gore-tex fabrics. And when I bought this Parker this time around, it is TEX fabrics. But in these days, Gore-tex fabrics become much more than high-end fabrics, and I settled down this product as worthy to own. design becomes good, sturdiness becomes good, fit well in any TPO. Although all the details become cheap and expensive, still I love this product because of LLBean's good tailoring technics. Incredibly well built comparing with other product at same price range like Korean maker goods. Please try and find your feelings by this product. I think this is good even now after much changes from more than 10 years ago same name products.

I love this purchase of the Baxter state parka. I got my first LL. Bean Parka in 1986. It was a 100% Thinsulate parka and it was great. I climbed Mt Madison in New Hampshire in late November and that parka made my trip very comfortable. I got a great deal on this parka with a sale. So glad I did. Just starting a New Hampshire winter and I AM READY!!! Thanks LL Bean great product and service as usual.