Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Waterfowl Sweater

Overall not a tall fit. I generally like LL Bean quality and style, and the fit on some items is OK. I am 6'5' inches tall and 220 pounds. The sleeves and body length from item to item vary greatly with LL Bean and are generally shorter than items from competitors. The sleeves on this sweater are short, body length is fair, and the collar is very high and large causing both a rub factor (too high) and a portal for cold air (too large). I returned it.

I purchased 4 Waterfowl sweaters over the past several years, all the same size (large) and still wear all of them regularly. They are wonderful in every way. However, I am disappointed with this year's model. The fit or cut of the sweater has changed. It is now cut to fit closer to the body, making it much much less comfortable to wear. I'll be driving the 30 miles back to the store to return it.

sent back - not what expected; though sweater wool and weaving quality great the noisy inner gortex lining as not

This is a comfortable and warm sweater. But after just a few months, it has started pilling more that any sweater I have ever owned including other wool sweaters from LLBean. This means the sweater somehow already looks like it is about 10 years old, even after I use a comb designed for removing pills from the fabric.

The sweater seems fine, but the size given to me as a gift was too large. When I tried to exchange it for a smaller size, I was informed that there would be no more in stock until June 2025. How on earth does a company the size of LL Bean sell a product , knowing that there will certainly be size exchanges after the Holiday', and not have a single item in stock?

Item NOT as advertised. Item advertised as waterfowl sweater with padded shoulders apparently for cushioning the recoil from a shotgun when shooting waterfowl. Actually, the shoulder portion (on each side) where one would brace the stock of a shotgun is the THINNEST part of the sweater. There is NO padding there. In fact, if they had left those shoulder areas in the same material as the rest of the sweater, then the sweater might actually be useful. Returned item for a refund. Still have not received a refund. My first and probably last time ever dealing with LL Bean.

Fit is small, although I followed the exact care instructions there was considerable shrinkage

Great fit, high quality woolen sweater. Classic style. Admired it on line for a while because I thought the price was steep. Finally pulled the trigger, and realized I had been mistaken. You get what you pay for. Fits perfectly. Per LL Beans excellent reputation.

The scent was quite strong and fabric scratchy. Not what I was hoping for, returned.

If you're fit, or just not overweight, this is going to be much too large for you in the waist and arms. Ridiculously too large. This is probably targeted to the 55+ generation, so that makes sense, but if you're a young in-shape guy, don't bother with this. Also, it smells pretty bad.

Although I loved the sweater, it had a faulty zipper, which stuck at the neck where the collar liner was. Again, loved the sweater, but expected better quality control.

For a 'lambswool' sweater I expected a much softer material feel. It's not. Is a very heavy weight, scratchy, and feels and smells like wet burlap. The sweater's odor was very unpleasant and permeated the whole room when I opened the package. I would be hesitant to wear this sweater in any indoor setting around other people. Otherwise, the quality would probably would allow the sweater to survive for a hundred years when sitting outdoors in a duck blind!

Sweater has a foul smell on the inside collar. I had the sweater cleaned and it still smells bad.

When I received my sweater it smelled like it came out of a hay mound. Was gonna order another but not anymore more

I feel awful - I followed the laundering directions for this sweater, which my husband loved because it was soooooo warm, however, it did shrink. I washed in cold water and did not put it in the dryer (it was air dried). I guess I should have had it dry cleaned. I'm disappointed.

The Sweater came with a strong bad smell. I handwashed and keep smelling weird and also itching my skin. I'll return it.

The neck on this sweater is too big and has a liner in it that is very stiff and uncomfortable. Returning it.

I purchased this as a gift for my husband. The fabric was substantial, nice quality. But the fit was absolutely awful. It was way over-sized and the collar stood up and away from the body...as if it were still on a hanger. I returned it.

The sizing is off by inches making it impossible to order the right size. I noticed reviews indicating extra material around the middle but that is an understatement. You will get a better fit from a barrel or grain sack. Also the zipper catches at the bend in the neck material even though it could be forced up. It is thick but not as comfortable as merino wool typically is. I would give it more stars if it cost $35 but this is nowhere near the quality of a $110 sweater. Develop a business model that does not use return shipping at customer's expense as a profit center, especially when the Chinese manufacturing produces such an "unexpected" garment.

Looks like a good sweater. However, the on-line pictures show a solid Navy one. The gray color around the neck and buttons is not visible and not desirable. A waste of time and shipping costs.

The color is nice (blue) and the sweater itself looks great. However, the neck has suede piping which makes it stick out in an odd, stiff manner.

I purchased the navy Waterfowl Sweater. Out of the box, I was surprised at the weight of the sweater and its thickness, not that that is a bad thing. It is a serious sweater that I wanted to like. But the neck was just way too wide, even zipped all the way up. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 185 and am no pencil neck. I would say that this sweater needs a re-design. Unless you don't mind a cowl, or have a very thick neck, I'd look elsewhere until this is fixed. I ordered the standard L size which fit fine everywhere else. I was quite happy with the Commando Fatigue Henley sweater, also heavy gauge, which I ordered at the same time.

Nice sweater but when I put it on, the welting around the collar is so stiff it choked me. If you have a really long neck this would be a nice sweater. Had to send it back

I just tried on the sweater, and my wife told me the send it back immediately. I reiterate what others have noticed: the sweater fits great through the shoulders and chest, but it inexplicably "balloons" out at the waist. I am neither fat nor thin (6'3", 225 lbs.), but this sweater makes me look like I have a gut. (To be sure, I don't like tight sweaters. So this is not a case of someone who is uncomfortable with a more relaxed fit. The midsection goes far beyond a "relaxed" fit.) Cannot recommend.

I am 5' 10" 170lbs. I ignored the sizing chart and went with a small instead of a medium. The cut is terrible. Very frumpy, it just doesn't look good. There are extra fist fulls of fabric at the arm pits that bulge forward. I can fit a football up the front without stretching it. If I gained 30lbs it will still fit. The fabric bulges outwards around the bottom of the zipper which doesn't look very nice. Note I only wear a t-shirt under it. The sweater looks well made when laying flat. The stitching seems well done - I think it will last a long time. I washed it inside out in the machine on the "hand wash" setting, dried it flat, and it came out looking as good as new - so it appears to be well washable. The fabric has a course feel to it, like it has been treated with something. It really doesn't feel very cosy. Length, shoulder width, and sleeve length are good.