 This Product
L.L. Bean Rugged Ridge Parka | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Value Men's Winter Jacket | Best for Tight Budgets | |||
| Price | $199 List | $140 List Check Price at Amazon | $62 List $61.97 at Amazon | $90 List $78.31 at Amazon | $120 List $109.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This sporty, economical jacket is a great choice if you're looking to maximize function and minimize cost | A warm, breathable, lightweight option that fits the bill for hiking, shoveling or other high-energy adventures | An affordable jacket that performs well enough and offers a surprising array of features | An incredible value for a stylish and relatively warm winter jacket | A durable work jacket that needs other layers underneath when the temperatures get cold |
| Rating Categories | L.L. Bean Rugged Ri... | Columbia Hikebound... | Wantdo Waterproof Snow | Tommy Hilfiger Men'... | Carhartt Loose Fit... |
| Warmth (30%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility and Style (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | L.L. Bean Rugged Ri... | Columbia Hikebound... | Wantdo Waterproof Snow | Tommy Hilfiger Men'... | Carhartt Loose Fit... |
| Shell Fabric | 100% nylon | 100% polyester | 100% polyester | 100% nylon | 100% ring-spun cotton duck |
| Measured Interior Temperature | 74.7 °F | 73.3 °F | 72.6 °F | 71.2 °F | Not measured |
| Insulation and Fill Power | 100% polyester | 85% recycled polyester, 15% polyester | Synthetic | Synthetic | Polyester |
| Fill Weight | 170 grams | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Removable Hood | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Hood Adjustments | 2 side drawcords | 2 side drawcords | 2 side drawcords | 2 side drawcords | 2 side drawcords |
| Pockets | 2 exterior zippered waist, 1 exterior zippered chest, 1 interior zippered media chest, 2 interior mesh stash drop-in pockets | 2 exterior zippered waist, 1 exterior zippered chest, | 2 exterior zippered waist, 1 exterior zippered chest, 1 zippered interior media | 2 exterior hand, 1 zippered interior media pocket | 2 exterior hand, 2 interior |
| Weight | 2.9 lb (XLT) | 2.1 lb (XLT) | 3.3 lb (2XL) | 2.3 lb (2XL) | 3.4 lb (L) |
| 2-Way Front Zipper | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Weather Resistant Features | Cinchable hood, waist, and hem, water-resistant nylon shell, main zipper storm flap | Cinchable hood and hem, water-resistant shell, reflective liner | Water-resistant shell, cinchable hood and hem, adjustable straps, spandex interiior cuffs, powder skirt | Thick synthetic down insulation, cinchable hood, rib-knit cuffs | Cinchable hood, rib-knit cuffs and hem, 12-ounce duck cotton shell |
| Available Sizes | S - 3XL | S - 2XL | S - 3XL | S - 2XL | Regular: S - 5XL Tall: M - 4XL |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | None specified | Not specified | None specified | None specified | None specified |
When it comes to balancing price and performance, the Rugged Ridge stands out as one of the best values we've come across in years. This jacket's best assets are its quality craftsmanship and its thoughtful extra features.
We gave the Rugged Ridge slightly above average scores for this metric. Although not the warmest jacket of the bunch, we think for the money, it performs quite well and is a great bargain.
We conducted a few key backyard tests to vet this parka's limits in cold weather. Our main two tests took place on a clear, 22°F, evening in Utah. First, with the help of a wearable Govee Bluetooth temperature gauge we monitored several internal areas of the Rugged Ridge to see how well it held in body heat. The reading we were most concerned with was the temperature near our chest. After standing in the cold for 10 minutes, the Rugged Ridge's chest reading was 74.7°F.
This doesn't compare well against our warmest parkas, like the Fjallraven Nuuk (80.2°F), The North Face McMurdo (79°F), or Marmot Fordham (78.6°F), but for a less-expensive, synthetic-fill jacket, the Rugged Ridge can hold its own. In fact, it's perfect for more intensive winter activities like shoveling snow, sledding, or building a snowman with the kids.
Our second test used the power of thermal imaging to see how the Rugged Ridge stacked up against similar jackets in its ability to retain body heat. With the help of a FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera, we created front and back view photos of three of the price-friendly options in our lineup: the Rugged Ridge, REI Stormhenge, and the Wantdo Snow Jacket. Lighter colors show where heat is escaping, while the darker colors show where it's being retained. Our side-by-side comparison shows the down-hybrid insulation of the Stormhenge to have more insulating power than the synthetic fill found in both the Rugged Ridge and the Wantdo.
After consistently wearing the Rugged Ridge for more than a month, what impressed us most were its many extra features that enhance its heat-saving capabilities. Its cuffs are adjustable and reinforced with internal spandex-like sleeves that clamp around the wrists. Its 170-gram PrimaLoft insulation breathes well and is effective at trapping heat, especially when moving or exerting energy. And the features we loved most were its three tiers of drawstring cords which cinch in body heat from the top of the coat to its bottom. More specifically, the hood cinches, the waist cinches, and so does the hem. We think this is an absolute added-value bargain for a coat in this price range.
A dense 100% nylon waterproof shell not only kept precip at bay, but it also was key to blocking wind, earning the Rugged Ridge above-average scores for this metric. To be honest, at first glance, we doubted its capability to handle our testing plan, but we were wrong, and were left pleasantly surprised.
Water rolled off our back like that of a duck during our at-home shower tests. Even after five minutes of solid downpour, water continued to roll off of this jacket with ease. We were also very impressed with its hood protection. It's deep and provides enough coverage to keep even buckets of water from hitting the face or entering into the collar. Other top performers in this test were The North Face McMurdo (which uses a proprietary DryVent lining) and Outdoor Research Stormcraft (which is protect by 2L Gore-Tex).
All of the exterior pockets on the Rugged Ridge are equipped with waterproof zippers, a feature that immediately caught our eye. It seems that nothing was spared during the design phase of this affordable jacket. We tested the zippers in the shower, and in a few winter snow and rainstorms, and found them to be reasonably reliable and not just eye candy. As for negatives, this jacket's adjustable cuffs and its main zipper storm flap are held in place by small, somewhat cheap, velcro strips. Specifically, they don't have a lot of staying power.
After a month's worth of use, we can confidently say the Rugged Ridge is more comfortable than similarly designed jackets we've tested over the years. We wore it while walking the city and shoveling snow. We also wore it to work each day, and enjoyed its comfort while hiking and even skiing. It didn't receive our highest marks, but its scores for this metric were still well above average.
We found the Rugged Ridge to be a little tight around the armpits, but otherwise roomy and comfortable. The center fabric also tends to bunch up and balloon around the chest when sitting. We also felt the collar was a little too tight around the neck and chin when fully zipped. However, all small complaints aside, this jacket is otherwise roomy and accommodating. Its detachable hood is comfortable and offers good visibility, even when cinched. The Rugged Ridge is slightly tailored, so it fits the body well, but it still has enough room for additional layers on colder days. In a schoolyard pick, we'd say the REI Stormhenge Parka is more comfortable. Both share the same score for this metric, but the Stormhenge is more lightweight and a roomier, although it isn't as tough or versatile as the Rugged Ridge.
Our consensus is the Rugged Ridge is primarily activewear. It can certainly be generally worn for about any wintertime activity, but at its core, this jacket has more of a sporty vibe, with some of its features being geared for the ski slopes. Overall, we appreciated its look and its versatility, resulting in solid scores for this metric.
If you like activewear and your overall fashion leans toward outdoor or sporty clothing, this jacket will fit into your wardrobe. Its alpine vibe goes well with jeans, hiking boots, and a ball cap. However, it also has just enough style to wear in a business casual setting. In terms of versatility, we really liked how the Rugged Ridge allowed us to enjoy just about any winter activity, while staying warm and dry.
One of our favorite features was the drawstring waist. In addition to its heat-trapping ability, it also gave the jacket more tailored lines. We also liked that the Rugged Ridge was just warm enough to protect against reasonably cold winter temps, but also light enough to keep us from overheating when shoveling, hiking, or sledding. The jackets in this review are primarily basic winter outerwear. However, the Rugged Ridge does have a few design features that allow it to double as a ski jacket or a lightweight snowmobiling jacket. One feature we really liked was its built-in, attached, cleaning cloth made specifically for goggles.
For its price point, the Rugged Ridge offers impressive features and respectable craftsmanship, particularly its shell material and stitching. Our testers gave it strong scores for this metric, and we feel this is a well-built parka that could last for several winter seasons.
Upon our first inspection, we immediately noticed the density of this parka's 100% nylon shell. It's tough, blocks the wind, and it feels protective. We subjected it to our own lab tests, but also found out quickly that it could withstand surprise attacks from tree branches, rock outcroppings, brick walls, and many other hazards.
Our closer inspection of the Rugged Ridge found decent seams and stitching. The best jackets on the market boast seams with 12 to 16 stitches per inch. We were happy to discover all of the seams on this parka were held together with 12 stitches per inch — many jackets in this price point are sewn with less. We've already mentioned our love for this coat's waterproof zippers. It also offers a two-layer, TEK waterproof and breathable shell, which defended well against everything we threw at it. As for negatives, the accessories on the Rugged Ridge (zippers, snaps, velcro) are a little cheaper, but still held up well during our testing window.
If you lean toward the sporty look and are hoping to snag a solid jacket at a reasonable price, the Rugged Ridge will not disappoint. It's rugged enough, warm enough, and versatile enough to wear all winter long for nearly any casual activity you have in mind. This jacket is built well, and with reasonable care, will easily last for several seasons. If you're looking to stretch your dollar by buying a reasonably priced, all-purpose jacket, that performs well in a wide variety of settings, the Rugged Ridge is a serious contender.
The Columbia Hikebound II is another sporty, all-purpose, jacket in our lineup. It's lighter weight by design and is ideal for warmer winter temps or high intensity activites. The Patagonia Downdrift is another one of our favorite all-purpose jackets, although it isn't as hardy or versatile as the Rugged Ridge. The Fjallraven Skogso is not as sporty as the Rugged Ridge, but it's a perfect daily wearer that is well-built, warm, and distinctively stylish — albeit a bit more expensive.
