Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Windproof Softshell

It's a nice jacket, but the material inside makes it difficult to slide your arms in and out of it.

It's a fine jacket, but it's heavier that the name "Wind Breaker" implies. It's meant to guard from the chills of a wind, not as a "keep warm and toasty" garment

The shell is really nice, but I am going to have to return it. There is a bit of restriction when the arms are raised and thrust forward, and since I planned to use the shell for energetic activities, it won't work as I would hope. Otherwise, it is very nice in every way.

I absolutely love it. Two things would make it perfect. 1. an inside pocket. 2. smoother lining in the sleeves.

Great multi season jacket, but a bit tight in the chest. Ordered up to XXL, then the sleeves were pretty long. Easy to cinch them up with the velcro straps on the wrists, but not sure why a larger size automatically equates to a longer arm.

Sleeves are a bit rigid and hard to get arms into traditional stiff like but I like the jacket all around other than that

We were gifted a bunch of these from our company. I tried them on when it was warm out yet, so I only had on a t-shirt. The XL seemed to fit ok, I have shorter arms, and these sleeves seem longer than normal, so they are pretty long on my arms. When I got my jacket, it had our company logo on it, and it looks great! However, it's colder outside now so I have to wear more than just a short sleeved t-shirt. With any long sleeved shirt, it is too tight and the shirt bunches up from the elbow up to the armpit. If they added a nylon lining to the sleeves would help a lot. The sleeve would slide instead of bunching up. I used to sell clothing for a company that made shirts/jackets for companies with their logo, so I've seen and know a decent amount about clothing like this. I would not recommend these to the average public. My opinion is that these are designed with skinny sleeves for the "athletic" fit, but my arms are not skinny, and neither are my shoulders, so this jacket is too tight unless i wear only a t-shirt under it. I don't feel like I have full movement in my arms. I've had two other softshells before this one and this one is the worst for me.

This jacket is really good looking and perfectly warm for most spring and fall weather. If you want to stay dry, this is not the solution. Even in a moderate rain the seams let water through. I suppose there are clear lines between water repellant (proof), water resistant and "gets wet in rain" but do not expect to stay dry with this otherwise nicely performing jacket.

Jacket was nicely made but runs very narrow. Had to return for one size up

The color wasn't very black. That was one thing I hated because it just looked dull. It was a great fit, comfortable, & warm. I'm 6'2" and 220lbs. However, the color was very unappealing to me. Very light black. Not very distinct at all. The return process was super easy, but one thing I didn't like was that the return shipping took 14+ days to receive my refund. If you can deal with the color I'd say buy it.

The interior of sleeves, fleece, made it difficult to get the jacket on or off over shirts with any texture. Therefore I don't wear it over anything but smooth textured shirts. Suggest that sleeves be lined with a smooth textured material.

Comfortable but not particularly warm. Best worn with only a T-Shirt. Long sleeves bind up when donning the jacket. Arms are a bit tight causing more of a cooling effect than warming the arms. Probably best for high activity which I have not tried yet.

Was not described as having a fleece lining in the main description and specs. I wanted a jacket that was suitable for Spring and Fall weather in coastal South Carolina. This isn't it. It's too warm. There's nothing wrong with the jacket itself, but the description needs to be edited to reflect the fact that it has a lining. I didn't return it for two reasons: 1. There are days during the Winter when the jacket will be appropriate, and, 2. I didn't want to pay the shipping and other fees to return it.

Comfortable, stylish, and well-tailored jacket, XLT size has plenty of body and sleeve length for me st 6'5". Perfect for wearing to work with business casual attire when you're not spending much time outside. Unfortunately I've found it to decidedly not be windproof or even particularly warm. I was out for a walk today with a T-shirt, fleece pullover, and this jacket on in about 50 and breezy weather, and I was thinking to myself, wasn't this supposed to be windproof? The fleece liner is surprisingly thin, and the softshell exterior allows cold air to seep in easily. For a similar price point the Mountain Classic Puffer jacket I own is much warmer and actually keeps wind out. I would recommend that LLBean double the thickness of the fleece liner and use a tighter weave exterior to call it wind proof. But has a lot of good qualities for the casual usage.

Bought in mid-April. I am 6' 0, 180 lbs. and wear a standard medium size. I agree with other reviewers that the upper body and sleeves are too tight. You have to hold the end of your sleeve to get a long sleeve shirt thru without getting bunched up. The waist area is good. Just wore on a walk in 53 degrees with a 5-10 mph breeze with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath. This jacket is not windproof. I was borderline cold into the breeze. Based on the price, this is not a good value. I may return. LLB has increased their men's clothing offerings in recent years, but price to quality has deteriorated. Sizing has always been a problem.

I picked the wrong size. Normally I am a "M" for Bean clothes but likely needed a "L" in this. (5'11" tall and 175 lbs) Did not keep the jacket as the fleeced lining of the sleeves made it very difficult to get on or off except with short sleeves and I was looking for something I could wear with one or two layers underneath. Seemed to be well made and well designed other than the lining concern.

Got the Carbon Navy in XLT and the fit is awesome for me at 6'5" 220 lbs, plenty of length in body and arms. Exterior zip handwarmer and chest pockets are well designed and functional. The look is polished enough to wear with chinos to work, but certainly also good with jeans for casual activities. Only complaint is, when you advertise something as "windproof," you better deliver. I think with about 50% thicker shell material and fleece liner, this jacket would be truly windproof. But as it is, the materials are just not substantial enough to provide the expected wind protection. Also, there are numerous areas of pilling on the shell and fraying of the exposed stitching areas on the shoulders and hem.

I bought this and found that the sleeves are fleece lined and to small to wear with a long sleeve shirt but works well with short sleeve shirts. It's ok.

It may keep the wind from making you uncomfortable but my XL jacket was tight on me and tought to put on.

Like the fit, many pockets, but the soft inside fabric is included in the sleeves and it pulls the sleeves of shirts up as it is put on.

While I like the jacket very much, its slim fit doesn't allow for layering on cold days. And the decision to line the straight sleeves with fleece rather than a smooth fabric makes it difficult to put on and take off over my favorite Bean waffle-weave henleys. On the other hand, I love the exterior zipper phone pocket all your outerwear should have one!

I like the jacket and have an XL. The sleeves are too thin for me.

I'm 6'5"/250lbs and I usually wear an XL Tall, but this jacket was far too small in that size. It has the usual LL Bean quality, but be aware that it runs _very_ small (at least at the larger sizes). I'm returning it to try the XXL and see if that helps any, but the sleeves are too short and I'm not sure more room in the chest will help that. It's a shame because it's a very cool-looking jacket, and I was looking forward to using it for a trip I'm planning.

Well made jacket. I like the amber color because it's not common. The one issue is the standup collar on the right side digs into my neck like so many of these soft shell jackets do.

The product itself appears to be of good quality. Sizing is unusual . I'm 5'10 180 and ordered a large which usually is a good fit for me with this company. Fit was good around chest and shoulders, however very boxy around the waist. It didn't make sense considering this product is supposed to fit fairly snug. I would need another 10-15 pounds around the waist area to fit into this well.