With DownTek 850 insulation in the front and 200-gram stretch fleece taking care of the rest, the L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Fuse Jacket (for men and women) offers a dual threat jacket for outdoor enthusiasts who want a full range of motion coupled with a toasty warm core on active days when the weather is more naughty than nice.
On Performance and Design…
By definition, a hybrid should always be the best of both worlds. So the design team at L.L. Bean fused the fleecy, flexible awesomeness of a 200-gram stretch fleece with the cold-conquering goodness of DownTek 850 insulation for a hybrid offering that’s a one-two punch to knock out the cold on your active wintery pursuits.
For the uninitiated, DownTek™ treated down is the benchmark in performance of down insulation. When unexpected weather tries to dampen your spirit, the specially coated 850-fill DownTek stays dry longer, and dries out faster while still providing breathable comfort and packable convenience. And because the L.L. Bean design team utilized a pertex shell, you get a flashy look that can withstand whatever beating Mother Nature can dish out.
The athletic styling means there’s no excess bulk to get in your way on active pursuits, and the heat generated is kept close to your core. Moreover, the slim-fitting ergonomic cut allows you to easily layer this piece under your hard or softshell jacket minus the feeling of an over-stuffed marshmallow. Admittedly we’d like to see the thumbholes Lycra-Bound for a smoother fit, but they still seal the deal when it comes to helping lock in warmth and offer added warmth for your hands. For the bonus round, L.L. Bean built-in a media port and two hand-warmer pockets.
Notes from the Field…
Anyone with the power of GOOGLE at their fingertips knows that the Ultralight 850 Down Fuse Jacket isn’t the only Hybrid option on the market. The North Face, Marmot and Patagonia all have similar offerings that blend the world of fleece and down insulation in various iterations. But as the old saying goes, ‘one of these things is not like the others.’
Over the years our experience with L.L. Bean has assured us that we’re never settling on quality or craftsmanship, the difference comes in terms of overall value. Retailing at $129 ($139 for tall offerings) the Ultralight 850 Fuse Jacket rings in at nearly half the price of similar offerings from some of the other big outdoor brands.
We know that some of those in the market for a hybrid option will error on the side of brand loyalty. However, for those who haven’t tried L.L. Bean, we’re confident that the combination of value and quality matched by a lifetime guarantee will have you considering a switch to your brand allegiance.
Bottom Line…
One jacket that works two times as hard, so you can keep pushing your limits even in the face of winter’s mayhem.
*Gumption Gear Review received a product sample of the item featured in this review from L.L. Bean at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.