Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Upcountry Waxed Cotton Down Vest

This is a great vest - fits well, warm, plenty of pockets. However, I am returning it because the zipper sticks at the bottom after it is zipped. I have to pull it off over my head to get the zipper unstuck. Maybe I was just unfortunate to get a faulty zipper.

I have several LLBean tops in the XL size so I was certain that a vest in an XL would fit just fine. The quality seemed to be good which is a real plus these days when so much clothing is so shoddy. And it looked beautiful. But when I tried it on, it was WAY too big at the top and WAY too small at the bottom. Did they accidentally send me a man's vest? I checked the tags. No. It was a woman's XL. I was very disappointed and sent it back that day. I don't really know what other size I could have ordered. BTW, I usually wear an XL top and a 12 or 14 bottom, so that makes it even weirder. I can imagine that this would be an even weirder fit on a pear-shaped woman (which is most women).

I purchased this style vest many years ago and it is still my "go to" when running out the door. The older version outer shell is nylon, which makes it light weight and thin, yet warm. It has side snap belts that give it shape and it washes beautifully. This newer version of the waxed cotton is bulky, boxy and not flattering. It's too expensive not to love it. I returned.

I want to love this vest - the quality is fantastic and its perfect for Fall. but it's big and boxy - i wish it came in petite as it hits so low on my hips that it makes it awkward to sit while wearing it. Sigh, the search for a perfect vest continues

Great fabric, good (if relaxed) fit but the down is very thick making it really bulky. If it were a full jacket the bulk would work but it just looks odd. Too bad.

It was disappointing to see the fit was so boxy. It looked more fitted on the model but not so in real life, very unflattering. The waxed cotton had a weird smell to it as well.

I was excited to order this vest based on the way it looked in pictures. I even loved how the vest looked when I put it on; however, I did not like how bulky it is. It was too bulky for me. I even thought I had ordered the wrong size because it felt so big. Disappointed that I had to return it.

Other LLBean riding jacket and vests fit true to form in an XL and allow ample room for sweater underneath. However, this particular XL jacket is extremely big. Even if I ordered smaller size, the style is weird (too big, boxy looking,and gaping across chest under my arms).Did not luck out with this one; but, if you are a sizeable gal with a big chest/arms, it may work well for you. Loved the Fabric!!

When I first put it on, I thought I had mistakenly been sent a men's small. It was huge on me, the armholes especially. It's also quite heavy and if you were into fencing, then this would provide plenty of protection from duels <grin>. I do like the style, so if they ever make a lighter, more form fitting option, I'll take another look.

too small; older BEAN vest, same size, still fits, just worn out after 20 years!!!

I didn't like this vest; the color was very drab and it was so boxy. Not attractive or feminine all. Sorry I purchased it.

Great vest except for launching the zipper which is next to impossible. Sadly will be returning this item as I just don't have the time in my day to spend coaxing the zipper to work each time I put on the vest.

The zipper sliders on this vest DO NOT SIT properly at the bottom. I love the design of the vest and really wanted it so I sent the first one back hoping it was just a lemon but the second one did the same thing. I have communicated this to customer service and the product specialists. It is not the fabric and not the threads of the zipper. The sliders will not unhook at all. I actually had to walk out of the vest like a pair of pants. The only option I was given by company was to return and try another but after two tries I'm done.

ugly, stiff,and the usual LLB zipper problems

Strike one: faulty zipper. MAJOR production to get it hooked and unhooked, to the point of being considered defective. Strike two: teeny tiny pockets. I went to shove my hands in the side pockets and was dismayed that half of my hand was still sticking out. This is a cold-weather piece of clothing. I want functional pockets. Strike three: ordered the color loden, but was sent brown. In defense of whoever selected this item for me in the warehouse, the package had a "loden" sticker on it, but clearly it is brown. It's out! Sending it back.

I received this vest for Christmas after putting it on my Wish List. Straight out of the box it had little white bits on it. I put it on and it fit true to size and was warm and cozy. But, within minutes was covered in lint. I have brushed it off several times, and the lint returns. After brushing it off, I hung it over a chair and it still collected lint! Also, if it is waxed, it is not evident. I live in Canada and it is a hassle to return items and expensive to ship them back, otherwise I would,

If you've worn the predecessor vest (O DBM3) which had a chic urban hunter look, this may be a little disappointing: suburban frumpy, smaller exterior pockets with additional tab button making it more awkward to open / close pockets (O DBM3 had one centered tab button - quite wonderful and very efficient), vest much longer so no cycling/riding/driving car with vest zipped (must leave even 2nd to bottom button undone), and, strangely, no LL Bean logo discretely embroidered below lower left pocket. Would like LL Bean to return to the O DBM3 vest!!