L.L. Bean's 3-in-1 Big Game Parka

If you are a regular viewer of Northeast journal, you know that L.L. Bean is a sponsor of the show. What you most likely don’t know is that I have been a L.L. Bean customer for over four decades. That’s what you call real customer loyalty and Bean’s has certainly earned it by making outstanding outdoor gear.

I have always been especially impressed with the quality of Bean’s hunting clothing and that’s where I am bestowing this month’s Harry’s Choice Award. The award goes to Bean’s 3-in-1 Big Game Parka. This is the best hunting coat I have ever owned. More on why I think that later, but first, you don’t have to take my word on why this is a fabulous coat. Here’s what a Bean’s customer from Kansas City, MO had to say about the coat:

"I purchased the 3-in-1 Big Game Parka to replace my aging coveralls. My biggest concern was the difference between the full coverage of insulated coveralls versus a pant and parka system. In the field, I am just as warm if not warmer, and the parka is much easier to get on/off than my coveralls.

The combination of fleece and parka offer a great layering option and on warmer mornings, the fleece by itself is perfect. All pieces are silent in the woods and the shell has kept be dry on numerous occasions. Pockets are numerous and well designed for larger items. The zipper cover at the neck is smart and keeps your neck from getting irritated."

What can I ad to that? Well, I’ve been wearing the shell and the liner jacket separately quite a lot and can say both are fabulous hunting coats on their own merits. I really like the liner as a cool weather bowhunting coat because it is virtually soundless, has huge pockets, the zippers work great and it is comfortable with no binding as you climb up and down trees.

The shell is excellent because it makes a quiet, waterproof coat on those days when there’s a warm rain, or just a cold wind. What I like best about it is that is designed big enough so you can put a lot of clothing on under it and yet it doesn’t feel baggy or floppy if you don’t. And it’s got excellent hand warmer pockets mounted high on the chest, a great location when you have a gun or bow with you.

When you put the liner and the shell together, you’ve got a super coat that is wonderfully warm without feeling bulky. This combo allows quiet ease of movement that is imperative for close up hunting, while offering superb protection from wind, rain and cold.

All those qualities make this hunting coat a real winner min my book.

Check out the 3-in-1 Big Game Parka and all the other great L.L. Bean stuff at www.llbean.com